The National Tour Association, in partnership with the Student & Youth Travel Association and the United States Tour Operators Association, voiced its concern about the impact of…
The National Tour Association, in partnership with the Student & Youth Travel Association and the United States Tour Operators Association, voiced its concern about the impact of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. This measure would require U.S. citizens, Canadians, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda and citizens of Mexico to have a passport to enter or reenter the United States.
In a letter sent to the U.S. Department of State Counselor Affairs and to the Department of Homeland Security, NTA, SYTA and USTOA proposed that the initiative`s implementation be postponed until Jan. 1, 2008. In addition, they urged Congress to adopt legislation that would lower passport fees for students and seniors to a maximum of $50.
The letter cited the difficulties the initiative would add for the student and senior market, stating that it would cause a significant expense to cross-border travel for these groups, for negligible security gain. The letter further added that as a result, student travel will be limited in its scope and educational impact, while fixed-income seniors will have to budget more money for a cruise or cross-border trip.
We are extremely concerned about the impact an initiative such as this could have on the travel industry, specifically to student and senior travelers who may be less able acquire a passport, NTA President Hank Phillips, CTP, said. NTA, SYTA and USTOA will continue working together to provide information to the State Department and others on the potential impact the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative would have on the tourism industry.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
