Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

Passport changes could affect spring break plans
By Stefanie Pehr
The Daily Vidette (Illinois State U.)
01/22/2007

(U-WIRE) NORMAL, Ill. — While walking around campus and experiencing the cold weather, students may be starting to finalize or plan spring break trips.

However, with new passport regulations now in effect, some students may find they are running out of time to obtain a passport for destinations that recently did not require them.

According to Steve Royster, spokesman for Consular Affairs in Washington, D.C., starting Jan. 23 travelers will need a passport when traveling to Mexico and Canada by plane. The new rule of thumb is when returning by air from anywhere in the world to the United States, you are now asked to have a passport.

"The passport allows for a citizen's information to all be in one convenient place; a place that is secure and reliable," Royster said.

Jackie Gronski, senior special education major, said the new regulations were brought to her attention by her friends.

"I feel the regulations should have been announced more publicly or made better known to college students, especially since most of the airport flyers you see are posted throughout the month of March for spring break," Gronski said.

Royster said he believes people are aware of the new changes because they are applying in record numbers.

"12.1 million people applied for passports in 2006, with the way it looks now this year will likely result in 16-18 million applicants," Royster said.

Royster also explained that although one needs a passport to return from Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean by plane, reentering the United States by land or cruise does not currently require one. Citizens could see changes to this, however these changes would occur no sooner than January 2008.

"Applying for a passport is easy. You do need to apply in person, but you can go to the travel.state.gov Web site and print out an application," Royster said.

Arthur Carey, representative with MexicoSpringBreak.com, explained that although these new regulations may affect travelers, they will ultimately result in more popularity for certain destinations.

"Our company has a location in Rosarito, Mexico that does not require passports — travelers can fly to San Diego, and be transported to the destination by bus for only 20 dollars," Carey said. Gronski explained she is considering going back to Acapulco, Mexico where she went last year.

"I have a passport so it won't affect me. I feel awful for those college students who decide to book last minute trips to Mexico and are unaware of the new passport regulations," Gronski said.

Carey said he feels these changes have and will affect the numbers of people traveling to Mexico, especially with the amount of airlines that currently fly there.

"With there being seven airlines that fly to Mexico, more and more companies have gotten a piece of the pie. AirMexico dropped by 20 percent in sales already," Carey said.

Gronski said several of her sorority sisters have already booked their trips to Acapulco, but last time she spoke with them they still didn't have their passports.

"If they don't have a passport they could lose their entire payment for the trip," Gronski said.

Royster explained that passports are good for ten years, there is about a six-week turn around and the changes should make crossing the border much easier.

"My best advice is to get a passport now because the turn around is about six weeks — the cost is about $97 for anyone 16 or older," Royster said.

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