Important Travel News
Advisories and Rule Changes
Go Travel Certified
The Canadian Institute of Travel Counsellors (CITC), the travel industry's educational trade association, is thrilled to announce the launch of a new Consumer website, www.gotravelcertified.ca. This evolving site contains information to assist the traveller in making savvy decisions regarding his/her travel plans by directing them to the National Directory of Certified Travel professionals, and it also captures the joy and fun in travel.
CITC has included information on joining the Global Explorers Club (you have to have visited 25 countries - or want to visit 25 countries, in order to join) as well as a section on travel humour (Laptop Louise meets Bertha the Hut). Travel scammers can ruin a vacation, and CITC, a pioneer in cautioning travellers about scams, has included the top 40 to learn - and avoid.
For more information, visit the Go Travel Certified website at www.gotravelcertified.ca.
Canadians Visiting Jamaica - Important Information
PASSPORT Canada has issued a reminder to all travellers that, although Canadians can travel to Jamaica with an ID and proof of citizenship, a valid Canadian passport will be needed to travel back to Canada.
Canadians boarding a flight back to Canada must present a valid Canadian passport. Airlines are required by law to ensure all travellers are properly documented before they embark with no exceptions.
Each year, many travellers attempting to board return flights to Canada without a passport are denied boarding because they do not have the proper travel documentation. These individuals are then faced with unanticipated delays while their passport application is processed.
Passport Canada suggests travellers obtain their Canadian passport before leaving Canada and come back worry free!
For more information, visit the Passport Canada website at http://www.passportcanada.gc.ca or call 1-800-567-6868.
A Reminder to Canadians Visiting The Bahamas
...that in keeping with global security protocols governing international travel, a valid passport is required for entry. Also, Canadians visiting for more than 90 days will require visitor's visa, which may be obtained by contacting the Bahamas High Commission in Ottawa (613) 232-1724. Permanent residents in Canada, in addition to a valid passport, must have a valid Permanent Resident Card, and may visit The Bahamas for up to 30 days without a visitor's visa.
No visas are required for Canadians, or permanent residents entering and departing The Bahamas by cruise ship. The passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return to Canada.
Canadians may remain in the Bahamas without a visa for up-to 90 days.
Secure Flight Passenger Data (SFPD)
The TSA has recently notified airlines about information regarding Secure Flight Passenger Data (SFPD) that will impact the service we provide you, our customers.
Beginning November 1, 2010, passenger reservations without full SFPD will be rejected by the TSA's Secure Flight rule and will not be processed. Operating airlines that do not comply will be subject to penalties. This applies to all PNRs including any you book for you.
As a reminder, the TSA requires the full name, date of birth, gender and redress number if applicable, as it appears on their non-expired government issued photo ID you plan to use for travel identification, for all passengers flying to/from/within/over the United States, on all U.S. Operating Carriers.
Although this mandate for airlines is effective November 1, 2010, some airlines have announced they will be enforcing the SFPD requirements as early as July 1, 2010, to ensure compliance with the TSA.
Additionally, some airlines have announced that they plan to take action on PNRs missing SFPD. This may include the cancellation of the reservation or even inhibiting the ability to ticket the reservation.
Travel Insurance to Cuba REQUIRED as of May 1, 2010
UPDATE: April 26, 2010
Cuba insurance demystified
FOREIGN Affairs and International Trade Canada have issued the following update on health insurance for Cuba:
The Government of Cuba has announced that travellers will have to present proof of health insurance in order to enter the country as of May 1, 2010. Upon arrival, travellers may be required to present an insurance policy, insurance certificate, or medical assistance card valid for the period of their stay in Cuba. Those who do not have proof of insurance coverage may be required to obtain health insurance from a Cuban insurance company when they arrive.
Although proof of Canadian provincial health insurance will be sufficient for visitors to enter Cuba, your provincial plan may cover only part of the costs and will not pay the bill up-front, as required. It is therefore recommended that travellers purchase supplemental health insurance. Note that some private insurers also require the traveller to pay costs up-front and be reimbursed later. For more information on travel health insurance, please see Section 11 below of this Travel Report.
Travellers should note that Cuban authorities will not allow anyone with outstanding medical bills to leave the country.
All health insurance policies will be recognized except those issued by U.S. insurance companies, as they cannot provide coverage in Cuba.
For additional details on this requirement, please consult the Embassy of Cuba in Canada at http://embacu.cubaminrex.cu/Default.aspx?tabid=17941.
Section 11
Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.
Previously Announced:
The Government of Cuba decided last February 16, that all travelers, foreign and Cubans living abroad, coming to the island from May 1, 2010 and thereafter shall take out a medical insurance policy. To meet such requirement, travelers shall have a travel insurance which covers medical expenses or a policy for medical expenses with coverage in Cuba.
The insurance policy should be taken out at the home country of departure.
Travelers, who do not have insurance at arrival, will be required take out a policy of insurance and assistance from Cuban insurance companies at the airport, port or marina. Details: Reliable Life Travel Insurance Details: Cuba Official Site Embassy
Mexico Confirms Passports NEEDED as of March 1, 2010
Canadian citizens travelling to Mexico will need valid passports as of March 1, the Mexico Tourism Board announced yesterday. Permanent residents in this country, in turn, will be required to present either a permanent resident card or certificate of identity or refugee travel document. The tourism board says the move aligns Mexico with all the security measures established by the International Civil Aviation Organization. Visas won't be required for either Canadian citizens or permanent residents of this country.
Meanwhile, the tourism board said that the move isn't likely to affect many people as out of the 1.2 million Canadian tourists that visited Mexico in 2009, only 10,000 didn't have a passport.
Visit the Passport Canada Website for complete details.
US Department of Homeland Security - Requirements
Please be reminded that starting August 15, 2009, passengers will be requested to provide date of birth, gender and redress number (if applicable) when booking airline tickets for flights operated within United States. This is in accordance with U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Secure Flight program (click here for more information).
Starting October 31, 2009, this procedure will be applied to all passengers flying into, out of, and over the United States so please be sure that your clients' information is up to date.
Impact to travelers:
- Provide requested information - When making a travel reservation, travelers will be asked to provide the requested data elements if missing: full name, date of birth and gender. If a traveler has a redress number issued by the Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP), this should also be provided to limit watch list misidentification issues.
- Keep your client's profile up to date - The easiest way to ensure the required data elements are included in the travel reservation is to make sure the data is included in the booking, and that all the information is accurate and complete.
- Potential delays - Travelers can elect to not provide the information at the time of reservation. However, once the program is in place, these travelers may be denied online check-in, requested to provide the data at the airport, and/or subject to additional screening and potential delays, which could result in denied access to the secured area of the airport by the TSA.
Reminder: Visa Program for Non-Canadian Residents
Just a reminder to Canadian residents that FLY to the United States using a non-Canadian passport: Starting January 12, 2009 you are required to pre-register your arrival into the US via an online application. It requests the same information that is on the I-94 Form, but this process must be completed no less than 72 hours prior to arrival.
This new requirement is called ESTA - Electronic System for Travel Authorization. It applies to all non-Canadian residents of Canada from 35 participating countries that include the United Kingdom, Ireland, and much of the European Union.
For those travelling by land, you also need to complete certain entry requirements. Upon entry into the US by land, non-Canadian residents of Canada must fill out Form I-94, and pay $6 per person. Then, you have your picture taken and your fingerprints recorded. When you return to Canada, you must then give the form back to customs to prove that you left the US.
For more information about this initiative, or to fill out the online form, visit https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov
A Final Decision Regarding Land Travel to the U.S
Currently, citizens of Canada can enter the US with government issued photo identification and a birth certificate or citizenship card. Homeland Security has published this final rule more than a year in advance to give the public time to obtain the documents they will need to enter or re-enter the United States on or after June 1, 2009.
Worldwide Central Travel strongly recommends that passengers who were born in Canada use their Canadian Passport when travelling. A valid passport is required for all air transportation outside of Canada. Canadian Passport Application Form