The Caribbean Tourism Organization has announced it is entering in partnership with the US Postal Service to promote US citizens getting their passports before the 31 December 2006 deadline. Americans will be able to apply for a US passport at select CTO-organized events. CTO announced that the alliance seeks to prevent prospective Caribbean vacations from being left stranded if the deadline is enforced. New US regulations require that all travelers entering or re-entering the US as from 31 December 2006 must be in possession of a valid passport.
“With the deadline fast approaching, we don’t want to jeopardize the peak vacation season next winter when vacationers will not be allowed to re-enter the U.S. without a valid passport,” says Hugh Riley, marketing director of CTO.
The USPS has been actively promoting their passport services around the country and will have application forms and a camera at the Caribbean Fair at the New York City South Street Seaport on 13 June 2006 to give US citizens seeking a U.S. passport the opportunity to do so without difficulty. Checks and money orders will be accepted on-site. The USPS will also promote their participation in these events to draw consumer attention as they alert prospective passport seekers to come and bring the relevant information needed to begin processing their passports. See http://usps.com/passport for information on documentation needed to take advantage of the CTO expedite processing facility.