Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Passport fair draws future travelers

Even though economic news is dour and more people are staying home or canceling vacations, some Las Vegans are making plans. They’re vacationing with the kids in the Caribbean. Or relaxing at a vacation home in Mexico. Or visiting family in Canada.

And, yes, they’ll all need a passport.

More than a dozen people lined up at City Hall Saturday morning to apply during a city passport information fair. Starting June 1, Americans must have their passport to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. Even if the trip is months away, some locals said they are getting ready by paying the $100 fee now. A city clerk said it takes about four to five weeks to get a passport in the mail.

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Clifton Clark

Name: Clifton Clark

Age: 47

Occupation: IT support staff

Destination: The Caribbean in May or June

What’s the occasion? It’s for a family vacation with my wife, Kim, and our two kids, Jared and Kiana.

Budget: We don’t have it set yet.

How are you making this happen in a recession? We haven’t taken a vacation in awhile. We’ll take it easy. We both are working, fortunately.

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Albert Ocasio

Name: Albert Ocasio

Age: 51

Occupation: journeyman plumber

Destination: Mexico

What’s the occasion? I have a condo I own there. And it’s (the passport) also a precaution, in case it becomes required for travel in the U.S. – like in Europe. A passport (may become) like a national ID card.

Budget: Will depend on the economy.

How are you making this happen during a recession? It’s only 4 1/2 hours away, so it just depends on the cost of gas. And everything else over there is cheaper.

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John Newman

Name: Jon Newman

Age: 21

Occupation: Hotel security guard

Destination: South Korea in August or September

What’s the occasion? My girlfriend, Shannon, is teaching in Seoul and I’m going to go visit her.

Budget? About $2,000

How are you making this happen during a recession? I was steady saving my money. I budgeted my money equally so that I had enough to make the trip.

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Lyn Acebo

Name: Lyn Acebo

Age: 50

Occupation: Teacher

Destination: We hope to go on a Mediterranean cruise after our daughter graduates college in 2012.

Budget: $7,000 total

How are you making this happen during a recession? We’re not! We have to wait because we have to pay for her college. We would be doing it at the same time, but the way the economy is, we’re holding off.

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Kathy Campbell

Name: Kathy Campbell

Age: 43

Occupation: Social worker

Destination: Possibly the Caribbean with my husband, and all my family is in Canada, so to visit them.

Budget: $3,000 to $5,000

How are you making this happen during a recession? We’re staying with family.

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