| "body"> | | | | - United Kingdom and Dependent Territories |
| Between February 1st and May 15th 2007, 10 | | | | - Canada |
| Caribbean nations will join together in an | | | | - France and Dependant Territories |
| unprecedented effort to simplify travel restrictions. | | | | - The Netherlands and Dependant Territories |
| Inspired by the hosting of the Cricket World Cup - | | | | - Germany |
| the third largest sporting event in the world - these | | | | - Spain |
| Caribbean nations will allow visitors to travel between | | | | - Japan |
| the islands without the hassle of international customs | | | | - Italy |
| or visas. Furthermore, all 10 nations participating in the | | | | - Ireland |
| Cricket World Cup are located relatively close | | | | - South Africa |
| together, allowing travelers to easily visit several | | | | - CARICOM Member Nations (except Haiti) It is |
| unique destinations in one vacation. Though the | | | | estimated that nearly 95% of the current visitors to |
| Cricket World Cup is scheduled to run from March 5 | | | | these Caribbean nations will be able to travel without |
| to April 28, the additional six weeks of hassle-free | | | | visas during this travel window. Even the nations that |
| travel have been allotted to lure additional tourists to | | | | require a visa for travel will find the process greatly |
| the Caribbean. Therefore, you could even take | | | | simplified. Prior to the announcement of this travel |
| advantage of this travel agreement in early May - | | | | assistance program, Caribbean nations banded |
| after the Cricket World Cup is completed - and hop | | | | together for several political and economic reasons. |
| between islands for a two-week vacation. | | | | CARICOM, short for "Caribbean Community," is |
| Here is a list of the Caribbean nations you will be able | | | | composed of 15 Caribbean nations devoted to |
| to visit without the normal hassles of international | | | | increasing tourism opportunities and activities. Beyond |
| travel: | | | | the development of long-term tourism assistance |
| - Antigua and Barbuda | | | | programs, CARICOM will also streamline the visa |
| - Barbados | | | | process during the Cricket World Cup for all visitors |
| - Dominica | | | | from nations not listed above. The visa program will |
| - Grenada | | | | include a special website for applications, a 24-hour |
| - Guyana | | | | hotline for visa assistance, three-day turnarounds for |
| - Jamaica | | | | visa requests, waiving of visa fees for children 12 and |
| - St. Kitts and Nevis | | | | under and additional preparation for visitor |
| - St. Lucia | | | | emergencies. As helpful as the CARICOM programs |
| - St. Vincent and The Grenadines | | | | are today for travelers looking to secure a visa, this |
| - Trinidad and Tobago Once you arrive at one of the | | | | group of Caribbean nations will only make life easier |
| island nations listed above and clear customs, you will | | | | for all tourists in the years to come. |
| then be able to travel to the other nations without | | | | Most importantly, you don't need to visit or |
| any immigration procedures. For those accustomed to | | | | participate in the Cricket World Cup to take |
| traveling between states in the U.S., this may not | | | | advantage of this travel opportunity. Besides the |
| seem significant. However, considering the stringent | | | | high-profile cricket matches, the Cricket World Cup |
| travel guidelines put in place at the beginning of year, | | | | will also bring plenty of events to the islands. Though |
| this agreement is truly a unique opportunity. Another | | | | these Caribbean islands are always centers of |
| great aspect of this agreement is that most visitors | | | | activity, the Cricket World Cup is certain to draw |
| won't need to acquire visas for their travel. Residents | | | | even more festivals, live music and fine art events. |
| of the following nations will be allowed to visit any of | | | | Whether you are a cricket fan or not, there has |
| the 10 countries involved in the Cricket World Cup | | | | never been a better time to visit the Caribbean. Book |
| agreement without a visa: | | | | a flight and get ready to experience these unique |
| - United States and Dependent Territories | | | | and exotic islands for yourself. |