CTO Backs Move by U.S. Government to Ease Passport Requirements

The Caribbean Tourism Organization, representing 32 nations across the region, applauded the actions of the U.S. government to temporarily ease the passport requirements of U.S. travelers returning to the U.S. by air through September 30 if travelers can produce evidence that they have applied for but not received their documents.

The CTO also noted that a proposed law delaying the requirement that U.S. travelers returning by land and sea hold valid passports would help ease the frustration of travelers. That rule is set to take effect in January but could be pushed back to June 2009.

However, the CTO continued to urge a total delay of the full implementation of the rules until June 1, 2009 to include air travelers.

“The evidence now is overwhelming that tourism and commerce in the Caribbean region have suffered considerably as a result of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative passport rules, as was predicted by the U.S.'s own study by the Customs and Border Protection in August 2006 as well as a study by the World Travel and Tourism Council,” said Allen Chastanet, CTO chairman and St. Lucia's tourism minister.

CTO’s Board of Directors recommended that all Caribbean countries accept the same documents that the airlines accept for adults and children under the age of 16 for entry purposes. The CTO move was fully endorsed by the Caribbean Hotel Association.