Aruba hotels and resorts offer travel incentives to new passport holders
Travellers making Aruba their first passport stamp can receive food and beverage credits or car rental vouchers
Oranjestad, Aruba (November 3, 2006) – In response to the potential effects of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), which will require all US citizens and foreign nationals to carry a passport or other accepted secure documents to enter or re-enter the US from vacations or business travel anywhere in the Caribbean, Aruba’s hotels and resorts are offering incentives for jetsetters making the tropical oasis their first passport stamp. The new initiative is set to take effect on January 8, 2007 and is applied to all air and sea travel.
Aruba is helping to ease the burden of having to scurry to submit the proper documentation in time for the 2007 vacation season by offering a special thank you to those who choose to make the island their first passport stamp. Hotels and resorts across the island are offering perks such as food and beverage credits and car rental vouchers.
“The Caribbean has united and has intensified its efforts to persuade the US Department of Homeland Security to extend the implementation of WHTI until June 2009,” said Minister of Tourism and Transportation, Edison Briesen. “Approximately 23 per cent of travellers who visit Aruba do so without a passport each year, and while that is a small number compared with other Caribbean islands, our hotel partners seized the opportunity to ease the expense of a new passport by offering travel incentives for visitors who make Aruba their first stamp.”
As a token of Aruba’s appreciation to travellers making the island their inaugural passport stamp, five of the island’s properties are offering special incentives.
Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort – Valid January 3 through December 17, 2007, the resort is offering a $25 food and beverage credit per person, per stay (minimum five-night stay). For more information or reservations call 1-800-932-6509 or see their listing under Aruba – accommodations at www.caribbean.com.
Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba – Valid for reservations made now through December 31, 2006 for travel through 2007, Boardwalk is offering a $50 car rental voucher per person for guests staying five nights or more. For more information or reservations call 011-297-586-1836.
MVC Eagle Beach – Valid January 3 through December 17, 2007, the hotel is offering a $25 food and beverage credit per person, per stay (minimum five-night stay). For more information or reservations call 011-297-587-0110.
Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino – Valid through 2007, Renaissance is offering a $75 food and beverage credit per room. For more information or reservations call 1-888-PARADISE or see their listing under Aruba – accommodations at www.caribbean.com.
Westin Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino – Valid through 2007, the resort is offering a $50 food and beverage credit per person, per stay. For more information or reservations call 1-866-978-5792.
“Aruba recognizes the significant potential effects of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative that can and will impact hundreds of thousands of travellers next year,” said managing director for the Aruba Tourism Authority, Myrna Jansen. “This is why the island saw the need to get their hotel and resort partners to create programs to entice travellers to get the proper travel documents, and also as a show of appreciation for making Aruba their first vacation destination with their new passport.”
Disclaimer: The information in this article/release was accurate at
press time; however, we suggest you confirm all details and prices
directly with vendors.