New Passport Regulations Spur Deals

With only 27 percent of US citizens possessing valid passports, the new US passport requirements will put a real deterrent on tourism to the previously passport free destinations such as Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Bahamas. The passport requirement will be mandatory of visitors traveling to these locations as of January 8, 2007 and of cruise tourists by June 1, 2009.

In order to make tourists aware of the new regulations, and also to promote travel to these destinations, tour operators like Apple Vacations have been running special discounts to off-set the cost of a passport. Apple Vacations will pay for its passengers’ passports when they book for travel in 2007 at participating hotels through Oct. 31. Passengers who book a 7-night package on any one of Apple Vacations’ exclusive charter flights will receive $100 per person off the price of their vacation. For a list of participating hotels and other useful information on obtaining passports including documentation required, you can log on to www.applevacations.com/passport.

The Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau has launched a “V.I.P. Very Important Passport” campaign to alert visitors of the changing passport guidelines. Two different versions of dollar-bill size coupons featuring the “V.I.P. Very Important Passport” message will be passed out to tourists. Local retailers will be using the piece with an individual message of their own, ranging from a discount to special value offers.

These are just two examples of the start of what might be a plethora of travel discounts. The destinations involved in the change need to encourage their visitors to obtain a passport. Apple’s special offer has been running since July, but I foresee many other companies and hotels jumping on the bandwagon. While it’s not actually possible to discount the purchase of a passport, you may be able to work out a deal with your travel agent or hotel due to the new requirements.

Regardless if you choose to take advantage of special offers or not, I would advise applying for your passport well ahead of the January deadline. It’s especially important if you are planning for travel soon after the date. I’m predicting a mad rush to apply for passports come January. Passports for those 16 and older cost 97 dollars and are 82 dollars for children under 16.

To obtain a passport for the first time, you need to go in person to one of 7,000 passport acceptance facilities located throughout the United States with two photographs of yourself, proof of U.S. citizenship, and a valid form of photo identification such as a driver’s license. You can renew your passport online.

For more information on the new passport guidelines or on obtaining and renewing your passport visit www.travel.state.gov.