As a last minute reminder to consumers to obtain
their passports, sellers of Caribbean destinations and hotels are offering
incentives to obtain a passport in light of the impending Western Hemisphere Travel
Initiative.The Western Hemisphere Travel
Initiative (WHTI), which will be implemented on Jan. 23, 2007 for all travelers
re-entering the U.S. via air transportation.  Travelers arriving by land and sea
will need to possess a passport as early as Jan. 1, 2008 (date to be determined). 

“The Caribbean region applauds the WHTI and the U.S. Government’s efforts to
increase security at the borders,” said Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, secretary
general of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).  “However, we believe that by
having different sets of rules depending on one’s mode of transportation—sea,
air or land—travelers may become confused, which will discourage commerce and
tourism.”

“We are concerned that the acceleration of the implementation deadline for airline
passengers does not provide ample advance notice to enable the public to obtain
passports,” Vanderpool-Wallace added.

Sellers of Caribbean travel hope the following offers will help keep people
traveling to the Caribbean beyond Jan. 23, 2007.  Incentives may include full
reimbursement of basic passport fees, complimentary spa packages, golf greens fees,
attraction tours, room upgrades, extra nights and gift shop purchases.

Governments

Jamaica launched a new program encouraging U.S. citizens to get their passports by
rewarding vacationers who make Jamaica their first visit with their new passport.
Rewards include special credits while on the island amounting to the cost of
obtaining a passport.

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) also is implementing “Jamaican Morning Coffee
Breaks” to encourage Americans to obtain their passports.  The JTB will hold coffee
breaks at major commuter terminals in Boston at South Station on Jan. 23, 2007; New
York at Grand Central Station’s Vanderbilt Hall in Feb. 2007; Chicago, and
Washington, DC, where consumers can actually apply for their passports onsite as
well as collect the required forms.  Free Jamaican coffee will be served.

For more information visit
http://pull.xmr3.com/p/497-EFA2/8002099/http-www.visitjamaica.com-.html or call
1-800-233-4JTB (1-800-233-4582).

Anguilla Hotels

Arawak Beach Inn, Anguilla, is offering a special rate and a complimentary day-trip
to those travelers who obtain a passport and make Anguilla the first stamp in their
new passport.  Rates start at $240 per person, based on double occupancy, and vary
during different seasons.  This offer is good for travel now through June 30, 2007.
Visit http://pull.xmr3.com/p/497-4F67/8002078/http-www.arawakbeach.com-.html or
call 1-877-4-ARAWAK.

Aruba Hotels

Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort in Aruba offers a $25 food and beverage credit per
person, per stay (minimum five-night stay) to those who make Aruba the first stamp
in their passport.  The promotion is valid now through Dec. 17, 2007.  For more
information visit
http://pull.xmr3.com/p/497-4B27/8002077/http-www.amsterdammanor.com-.html or call
1-800-932-6509.

Holiday Inn SunSpree Aruba located in Aruba is offering a complimentary bottle of
champagne and an upgrade from standard to superior rooms for those travelers who
make Aruba the first stamp on their passport.  A minimum of a five-night stay is
required with travel through 2007.  Visit
http://pull.xmr3.com/p/497-BA62/8002084/http-www.holidayinn.com-.html or call
1-888-HOLIDAY.

MVC Eagle Beach, Aruba is providing a $25 food and beverage credit per person, per
stay (minimum five-night stay) to those customers who choose Aruba as their first
destination with their new passport.  This special is valid now through Dec. 17,
2007.  Visit
http://pull.xmr3.com/p/497-7BE3/8002086/http-www.mvceaglebeach.com-.html or call
011-297-587-0110.

Westin Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino in Aruba provides a $50 food and beverage credit
per person, per stay, valid now through 2007 for those who make Aruba the first
stamp in their passport.  For more information visit
http://pull.xmr3.com/p/497-7935/8002100/http-www.westin.com-aruba.htmlor call
1-866-978-5729.

Bahamas Hotels

Select hotels in Nassau and Paradise Island, the Bahamas, are offering free
passports to those who visit the islands between Jan. 17, 2007 and Mar. 31, 2007.

Through this promotion, travelers will be reimbursed for the application and
execution fees for their new passport.  In order to receive the reimbursement,
travelers must download the rebate form from
http://pull.xmr3.com/p/497-BB22/8002087/http-www.nassauparadiseisland.com-.html and
submit a completed copy with their paid hotel bill, airline boarding pass and a
photocopy of each eligible traveler’s passport photo page.  Passports must have been
issued between Dec. 20, 2006 and Mar. 24, 2007. 

A minimum of a two-night stay is required and a limit of four rebates per room is
offered.  Participating hotels in this promotion include: Atlantis, Paradise Island;
Best Western Bay View Suites; British Colonial Hilton Nassau; Comfort Suites
Paradise Island; Dillet’s Guest House; Graycliff Hotel; Harborside Resort at
Atlantis; Nassau Beach Hotel; Nassau Palm Resort & Conference Center; One & Only
Ocean Club; Orange Hill Beach Inn; Paradise Harbour Club & Marina, Paradise Island
Beach Club; Paradise Island Harbour Resort All Inclusive; Radisson Cable Beach
Resort; Red Carpet Inn; Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island; The
Cove Atlantis; and Wyndham Nassau Resort. 

Nassau and Paradise Island are also working to make the passport application process
easier for travelers by featuring a user-friendly guide on the destination’s
website.

For more information visit
http://pull.xmr3.com/p/497-BB22/8002087/http-www.nassauparadiseisland.com-.html or
call 1-888-627-7281.

Westin and Sheraton Grand Bahama Island Our Lucaya Resort, located on Grand Bahama
Island, is offering a $100 resort credit to guests who purchased a passport between
Aug. 1, 2006 and Jan. 31, 2007 for travel now through Oct. 15, 2007. A maximum of
one credit per room will be issued. For more information visit
http://pull.xmr3.com/p/497-7FA3/8002089/http-www.ourlucaya.com.html or call
1-888-627-7129 for the Sheraton or 1-888-627-7130 for the Westin.

Jamaica Hotels

Holiday Inn SunSpree Jamaica, located in Jamaica, is offering a complimentary bottle
of domestic wine and an upgrade from standard to superior accommodations for those
travelers who make Jamaica the first stamp on their passport.  A minimum of a
five-night stay is required for travel through 2007.  Visit
http://pull.xmr3.com/p/497-BA62/8002084/http-www.holidayinn.com-.html or call
1-888-HOLIDAY.

FDR Pebbles and Franklyn D. Resort, both in Jamaica, are offering adult travelers a
half-hour massage and each child (minimum of two) a Pebbles T-shirt.  A minimum of a
five-night stay is required as well as a passport with Jamaica as their first stamp.
The offer is valid for travel now through April 5, 2007.  For more information
visit http://pull.xmr3.com/p/497-B9A2/8002081/http-www.fdrholidays.com-.html or
call 1-800-654-1FDR.

Sunset Resorts, located in Jamaica, offers guests up to $200 in resort credit for
those who make Jamaica the first stamp on their new passport.  The offer is valid on
bookings made now through Mar. 31, 2007.  A minimum of a five-night stay is required
and guests must present passport and passport application receipt in order to be
eligible for the promotion.  Visit
http://pull.xmr3.com/p/497-EAA2/8002095/http-www.sunsetresortsjamaica.com-.html or
call 1-800-234-1707.

St. Kitts Hotels

Frigate Bay Resort in St. Kitts is offering 20% off stays of three nights or more,
during the hotel’s most popular time of year, to those who make St. Kitts the first
stamp in their new passport.  The booking window is now through Mar. 15, 2007 for
travel now through Jan. 31, 2007, Mar. 1-11, 2007, and Mar. 26, 2007 through April
15, 2007.  Guests will also receive a free rum punch upon arrival.  For more
information visit
http://pull.xmr3.com/p/497-7823/8002083/http-www.frigatebayresort.com-.html or call
1-800-266-2185.

St. Lucia Hotels

Ladera Resort in St. Lucia will reimburse the cost to obtain a passport to travelers
who make St. Lucia their first visit with their new passport.  As an added
incentive, Ladera will also provide guests with a leather passport case, a
complimentary 30-minute Jet-Lag massage at the Ti Kaye Posé Spa and a beverage from
the bar.  This offer is valid now through Dec. 21, 2007.  A minimum five-night stay
is required.  For more information visit
http://pull.xmr3.com/p/497-4A67/8002074/clickto14_=C060907120700-LNK=3-UId=764.html
or call 1-800-738-4752.

St. Maarten Hotels

Divi Little Bay Beach Resort, Princess Heights, Oyster Bay Beach Resort and
Turquoise Shell Inn, all located in St. Maarten, are offering guests $100 in St.
Maarten Bucks to be spent on island attractions with the purchase of their new or
renewed passport issued after Dec. 15, 2006.  Valid for travel now through Dec. 31,
2007 with a booking window now through Dec. 30, 2007.  For more information visit
http://pull.xmr3.com/p/497-2A63/8002094/http-www.st-maarten.com-.html or call
1-888-874-7793.

Sonesta Maho Beach & Casino and Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort & Casino, located in
St. Maarten, are offering guests $100 in St. Maarten Bucks to be spent on island
attractions with the purchase of their new passport.  Valid for travel Jan. 23, 2007
- Dec. 17, 2007, guests will receive the “bucks” to be spent at participating
restaurants, hotels, car rental agencies, and retailers in Dutch St. Maarten through
Dec. 31, 2007.  Guests must show a new or renewed passport issued after Nov. 26,
2006 with St. Maarten as the first arrival stamp to redeem the promotion.  A minimum
of a five-night stay is required.  Guests will receive a maximum of $200 in St.
Maarten Bucks.  For more information visit
http://pull.xmr3.com/p/497-28E3/8002092/http-www.sonesta.com-.html or call
1-800-223-0757.

Chain Hotels

Marriott and Renaissance Caribbean Resorts, including Aruba Marriott Resort &
Stellaris Casino, Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star
Marriott Beach Resort (St. Thomas), Curacao Marriott Beach Resort & Emerald Casino,
and St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino, are offering a $100 resort
credit (minimum five-night stay) for those who make any one of these properties
their first visit with their new passport.  This offer is valid now through April
30, 2007 for one person per room.  Visit
http://pull.xmr3.com/p/497-29A3/8002091/http-www.paradisebymarriott.com-.html or
call 1-888-PARADISE.

SuperClubs has nine resorts in the Caribbean including Grand Lido Negril Resort &
Spa, Grand Lido Braco Resort & Spa, Breezes Runaway Bay Resort & Golf Club, Breezes
Montego Bay, Hedonism II and Hedonism III, all in Jamaica; Breezes Bahamas in
Nassau; Breezes Curacao Resort Spa & Casino; and Breezes Puerto Plata Resort Spa &
Casino in the Dominican Republic.  Through the “Passport Included” promotion, those
travelers who obtain new passports or renew older ones, and stay at one of these
SuperClubs’ properties, will receive the cost of obtaining a passport credited as
part of a Super-Inclusive vacation.  Travelers must book by Jan. 23, 2007, for
travel anytime in 2007.  For more information visit
http://pull.xmr3.com/p/497-EBE2/8002096/http-www.superclubs.com-.html or call
1-800-GO-SUPER (1-800-467-8737).

Tour Operators

CheapCaribbean.com will reimburse the cost to acquire a passport for each member of
the traveling party when booking through CheapCaribbean.com before Jan. 23, 2007.
This offer is available for travel through 2007.  The rebate form as well as
original receipts must be mailed in within 30 days of booking the trip.  Visit
http://pull.xmr3.com/p/497-8FA6/8002079/http-www.cheapcaribbean.com-.html or call
1-800-915-2322. 

Many Caribbean governments, as well as CTO, are creating public awareness campaigns
to inform the public of the need to obtain a passport by the Jan. 23, 2007 WHTI
implementation date as well as where and how to get one.

Passports may be obtained through the U.S. Postal Service.  The passport fees are
paid to the U.S. Department of State while Execution fees are paid to the
Postmaster.  Fees are as follows:  Passport Fee ($67), Execution Fee ($30) and Photo
Fee ($15).  Fees for children under age 16 include:  Passport Fee ($52), Execution
Fee ($30) and Photo Fee ($15).  Prospective passport seekers can provide their own
passport photos. 

For information about applying for a U.S. passport, visit
http://pull.xmr3.com/p/497-8BE6/8002076/http-usps.com-passport.html or call
800-ASK-USPS.

For information concerning the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, travelers can
visit the U.S. State Departments’ website at
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html .

Private companies that offer U.S. passport services include International Visa
Services, a passport expediting company that has partnered with CTO in order to help
travelers obtain their passports. International Visa Services ensures a passport
will arrive in a timely manner as the company’s normal passport delivery time is
five days, but can be reduced to one if needed.  For more information on their
services visit http://pull.xmr3.com/p/497-2F63/8002098/http-www.visalady.com-.html
or call 1-800-627-1112.
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