A.C.T. NOW!

DELINQUENT IRS TAXES AND CHILD SUPPORT MAY STOP SOME FROM TRAVELING OUTSIDE OF USA FOR BUSINESS, PLEASURE OR MEETINGS
The Love Boat May Be Sailing Without You

BY: ROY JAY
National Executive Director - AAAMPRO

Everyone knew it was coming, but most people didn’t bother to think about it until after it happened. The new passport requirement that hit every American living inside (and outside) the United States.

Only 20% of US citizens have passports. Although that number is now increasing, ethnic minority groups are lagging far behind the norm.  AAAMPRO, as being a recognized leader in the minority convention and tourism industry has a responsibility to keep our affiliates as well as readers informed of changes that will affect many of us.

Here are the facts as we know them. All of which may be subject to change by the US Congress and Homeland Security.

Fact: — Every adult and child traveling outside the borders of the United States must carry and present a valid passport. No if, ands or buts about it.

Fact: — If you, your family or organization are planning a conference, retreat, vacation, board meeting in a Caribbean or Pacific Rim destination (except San Juan, Guam, US Virgin Islands or other US Territories), your driver’s license will no longer gain you access to the surf and sand.  Be prepared to shell out a few hundred dollars for you and your family to get a passport (but they are valid for up to 10 years).

Fact: — Some persons owing the Internal Revenue Service and those with delinquent child support are considered “flight risk” and may not be issued passports for international travel.  That’s right, read on!

When I questioned officials at Immigration and Naturalization Services as well as a spokesperson for Homeland Security, they told me that the new law requiring passports was primarily to help increase potential terrorist security both nationally and worldwide.  But, the addition of delinquent IRS taxes as well as delinquent child support will stop some individuals, planners, companies and others from traveling abroad any more, even to Gillian’s Island.

A romantic weekend getaway as advertised in Canada, Mexico or Caribbean will not be as easy for those that used to simply flash their driver’s license, SAM’S Club or Costco Membership as photo identification. Those days are over. Big Brother and Big Mother are watching us like a hawk.  African-Americans and Latinos may become the largest victims since less than 10% of African-Americans hold US passports and we have already heard or read the stories of DEA expelling thousands.

A tourism official from Bermuda said that he had heard of a recent situation where a conference was underway and several of the workshop presenters and main speakers were detained at the Miami airport because they did not have a US passport. There is no quick fix to this, unless you know someone that knows someone that can get to someone to get you a passport overnight.

As you are planning your event, working with clients or marketing to attract new meetings or events, make sure that you include information regarding the need for delegates to travel with their passports.

This information can make or break your future event. These new passport restrictions, regardless of the intent to protect America and the world from terrorist attack, will restrict movement of many people that are taking vacation, business or convention trips abroad.   It is better for you and your delegates to be well prepared in advance by getting your passport if you do not already have one. It would not even surprise me that within a short period of time that the prices increase.  For passport information, visit AAAMPRO.ORG, which will have a link to apply for a passport.

The new promotional ads for hotels and tourism may soon read: “prices do not include, tax, tips or passport fees.”

Roy Jay  is the new national executive director of AAAMPRO (Association of African American Meeting Professionals ) with offices also in Washington DC and a growing national business affiliation. Jay can be reached at Roy@BlackMeetingPlanners.Com.