| Effective January 2007, all travelers to Latin America | | | | St. John. |
| and the Caribbean will need a U.S. passport for air | | | | This news is certainly as important to business |
| travel. The change comes as the U.S. Department of | | | | travelers as it is to tourists. The decision to treat the |
| Homeland Security attempts to alleviate travel | | | | U.S. Virgin Islands as a domestic location under the |
| concerns about border security under the Western | | | | Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will ensure that |
| Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) and the | | | | important business relationships aren't hindered by the |
| Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of | | | | difficulties of international travel or the need to |
| 2004. Unlike previous years when passports were not | | | | acquire passports. |
| required for travel to the Caribbean, this upcoming | | | | When planning your quick getaway to St. Thomas, |
| travel season may provide headaches for many. As | | | | you will probably want to spend some time duty-free |
| plenty of tourists may have planned family vacations | | | | shopping in Charlotte Amalie. The capital of the island, |
| or scheduled weddings unaware of the new passport | | | | Charlotte Amalie is a charming colonial town filled with |
| rules, many analysts foresee a rush on new passport | | | | exquisite restaurants and luxury stores. You will also |
| applications at the beginning of the year. Also, | | | | find a number of museums and historic sites |
| because this program will be in its first tourism | | | | scattered throughout the capital, offering a glimpse |
| season, there exists a strong possibility for delays | | | | into the island's rich Caribbean past. |
| beyond the outlined timeframes for passport | | | | For the traveler hoping to interact with aquatic life, |
| applications. However, if you want to travel to the | | | | the Coral World Ocean Park has been a longtime |
| Caribbean quickly or without a passport, there is still a | | | | favorite. With over five acres of aquariums featuring |
| destination for you. | | | | the Caribbean's most vibrant sea life and plenty of |
| If you are still hoping to plan a spur-of-the-moment | | | | interactive programs, the Coral World Ocean Park is a |
| Caribbean getaway, say hello to St. Thomas. | | | | great destination for families or any adventurous |
| Regarding the newly-effective Western Hemisphere | | | | tourist. Another great activity for a quick getaway to |
| Travel Initiative, the U.S. Government recently | | | | St. Thomas is a ride on the Atlantis XV, a submarine |
| announced that the legislation will not affect travel to | | | | allowing you to view pristine underwater habitats up |
| U.S. territories, including the U.S. Virgin Islands. As the | | | | close. To catch an aerial view you will never |
| heart of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas remains | | | | experience at home, venture to either Bluebeard's |
| an excellent Caribbean destination, but also gains the | | | | Castle - a colonial watchtower overlooking the |
| honor of being one of the few destinations | | | | Caribbean - or St. Peter Mountain, both the highest |
| As might be expected, the U.S. Virgin Islands are | | | | peak in St. Thomas and another great area for |
| certainly pleased that American tourists will be able to | | | | shopping and dining. |
| visit anytime, without the formality of a passport. | | | | If you are looking to get away, especially during |
| Pamela Richards, the Commissioner of Tourism for | | | | these harsh winter months, why not try something a |
| the islands, states that it is important to retain a | | | | little different? Because if you are looking to visit the |
| "welcoming position as America's Caribbean." The | | | | Caribbean on short notice - whether for business or a |
| welcome extends beyond St. Thomas, as well. The | | | | spur-of-the-moment vacation - St. Thomas now |
| agreement allowing U.S. citizens to travel to St. | | | | promises all the exotic allure of the Caribbean without |
| Thomas, as if they were not leaving the country, | | | | the hassle of international travel. |
| also includes St. Thomas' sister islands, St. Croix and | | | | |