In the United States, of the 14 executive departments involved in conducting the administration of the government, seven are involved in the travel and tourism industry.

* Department of Agriculture (USDA) * Department of Commerce (DOC) * Department of Defense (DOD) * Department of Education (ED) * Department of Energy (DOE) * Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) * Department of Homeland Security (DHS) * Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) * Department of Justice (DOJ) * Department of Labor (DOL) * Department of State (DOS) * Department of the Interior (DOI) * Department of the Treasury * Department of Transportation (DOT) * Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Which 7 do you think are involved in travel & tourism industry?

* Department of Agriculture (USDA) * Department of Commerce (DOC) * Department of Defense (DOD) * Department of Education (ED) * Department of Energy (DOE) * Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) * Department of Homeland Security (DHS) * Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) * Department of Justice (DOJ) * Department of Labor (DOL) * Department of State (DOS) * Department of the Interior (DOI) * Department of the Treasury * Department of Transportation (DOT) * Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

1. Establish a person’s identity and nationality 2. Requests protection for the traveler while away from home Issued by the person’s own country You should apply for a passport at least 6 weeks before the trip Since 9-11, US citizens are required to have passports when cruising the Caribbean or flying to Mexico

A. Completed Application B. Proof of Citizenship (Birth Certificate) C. One Passport Photo D. Proof of Identity (Driver’s License) E. Fee (over 16 - $110 plus $25 fee, under 16 - $80, plus $25 fee) F. Social Security Number A driver’s license cannot be used as proof of citizenship.

* Adult Passports (over 16 years old) – Valid for 10 years * Minor Passports (15 and younger) - Valid for 5 years

An endorsement-or-stamp placed in a passport by officials of a country other than the passports owners. Visas are issued by the country to be visited. Not always required. Must check beforehand at Travel.State.Gov Brazil = required Belize = not required

A. Warnings B. Public Announcements C. Consular Information Sheets Click HereClick Here to go to: Travel.State.Gov

* Certain items are not permitted through Customs: * 1) Anything considered injurious or not for the general welfare, 2) anything fashioned from endangered species, and 3) fruits, vegetables, & meats Duty-Free: Free of taxes at the place of purchase * U.S. citizens are allowed to bring back $800 in purchases “duty-free” per person * May purchase on international flights-or-after pass thru Security * “Know Before You Go: Customs Hints for Returning Residents” -Booklet published by the U.S. Customs

* The most common health problem for travelers: Diarrhea * Vaccination Certificates A booklet in which records of vaccinations are shown

* The International counterpart to the FAA * A trade association whose members consist of all major passenger and cargo airlines * Neutral Unit of Conversion (NUC) * IATA uses this method to create equality among worldwide currencies (to determine how much of the fare goes to each carrier)

* International travelers should allow at least 2-hours to check-in

* Sovereign Skies – Each nation owns the rights to the sky above its ground * Open Skies – Fly anywhere you want

* Most transatlantic flight depart North America at night to arrive in Europe in the morning local time, and avoid landing in the middle of the night * Schedules indicate a plus sign if the plane gains a day or a minus sign if the plane loses a day.

* Telephoning the airline 48 hours before departure to reconfirm a reservation * When traveling abroad, it IS necessary to reconfirm.

* Amenities – Free headphones and alcoholic beverages, variety of meals, blankets and pillows, movies, and games * In-Flight – Duty-free shopping on flights * Documentation – Landing cards or customs and immigration forms given

* Language * The largest barrier to in-bound tourism

* Sleeping, waking, and concentrating problems that travelers experience when they fly long distances

* Available at AAA * (American Automobile Association) * Must be 18 years old * Bring your valid U.S. driver's license * $15 * 2 ORIGINAL passport-type photos * Can be used as another form of identification when traveling

* 27 Countries are members * The Euro – Common Currency

* Austria * Belgium * Bulgaria * Cyprus * Czech Republic * Denmark * Estonia * Finland * France * Germany * Greece * Hungary * Ireland * Italy Notice what major country is missing from the European Union? * Latvia * Lithuania * Luxembourg * Malta * Netherlands * Poland * Portugal * Romania * Slovakia * Slovenia * Spain * Sweden * United Kingdom: Uses the British pound (£)…Not the Euro

* Cash – Foreign currency, of course. U.S. dollars can be used in different countries * Traveler’s Checks – Can get in foreign currency, insured * Credit Cards – Accepted throughout the world. Easy and most preferred/used.

* ATM’s are appealing to people traveling aboard because money comes out in local currency * The hidden cost of travel is TAXES

* Foreign Exchange - The continually fluctuating rate at which the money of one country can be exchanged for the money of another. * Currency Exchange Rate – What one’s currency is worth in the local currency * * Finding current exchange rates The internet, metropolitan newspapers, mobile apps, banks

* Buy rate – The amount of the foreign currency customers get in exchange for their dollars when they buy the foreign currency. * Sell Rate – Can exchange any leftover foreign currency for when they want to change back to dollars