How to get a second passport

by Alex Robertson Textor on

A second passport sounds glamorous. And in point of fact, it is glamorous. There’s no debating the matter. Possessing a second passport gives its bearer bragging rights and the ability to feel a wee bit like a spy, especially when he or she is traveling with both passports in tow.

So you want to get a second passport and feel like an undercover agent? Not so fast. The US State Department allows Americans to obtain a second US passport under two circumstances only: [1] when a particular passport stamp will prevent entry into certain other countries the bearer intends or needs to visit, and [2] when a foreign visa application’s processing time interferes with upcoming international travel.

The first loophole addresses diplomatic barriers to travel. The chief example here is the Israeli passport stamp. Several countries refuse to admit travelers with an Israeli stamp (as well as Jordanian or Egyptian entrance or exit stamps from Israel‘s land border crossings with Jordan and Egypt) in their passports.

With an Israeli stamp in your passport, you may be refused entry to Algeria, Iran, Lebanon, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Anecdotal evidence from friends and various online sources indicates that some countries are stricter than others, with Lebanon and Syria particularly unbendable. The bearer of a second passport can alternate between passports selectively, thus making sure that he or she will not be refused admission for a years-old Israeli passport stamp at, say, the Damascus airport.

The second circumstance addresses the problem of bureaucratic delays. People with upcoming travel scheduled while their passports are unavailable as a consequence of a foreign visa application (or another procedure involving a foreign government) can apply for and receive a second passport.

The second passport is only valid for two years. In addition to the required form and photographs, applications must include evidence of upcoming travel and a letter explaining the applicant’s specific need for the additional passport.

Mexico safe to visit, for the most part

by Chris Owen on
At least one part of Mexico’s tourism industry seems to have successfully separated itself from headline-grabbing news of crime south of the border. It was not without a great amount of effort and took some time, but Mazatlan, Mexico is back as a viable, safe vacation destination.

While most cruise line’s still don’t stop in Mazatlan, the Pacific coast city is welcoming travelers with a lineup of unique events throughout the month of June. Call it the antidote for a heavy dose of bad press if you will, visitors are being offered better pricing, more events and better security than ever before.

Mazatlan’s tourism people have been busy promoting several events, some annual happenings that draw thousands, reassuring travelers that it’s business-as-usual when it comes to visiting at least that part of Mexico. Here are some highlights:

Mazatlán International Cycling Tour – Seasoned athletes and enthusiasts converge on Mexico June 1st for this five-day tour through scenic countryside, colonial towns and coastal vistas. Hosted in four stages, the event is the only tour in Mexico to combine all road cycling categories.

Quiksilver Clásico Mazatlán – Also on June 1st, five days of epic surf, fashion and live music as surfers from around the globe compete for this Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) four-star event that features an $85,000 purse. Onshore festivities range from surf gear expos and fashion shows to local art exhibits and live music concerts by national and international artists.

Scents and Flavors of Mexico, A Gastronomical Experience on June 3rd is the day for foodies to visit Mazatlan when Mexico’s rich culinary tradition is showcased by celebrity chef Patricia Quintana. Guests will savor authentic regional cuisine like plump Mazatlán shrimp, succulent carne asada and handmade tamales.

GoMazatlan.com has all the details on these and a number of other events.

Travelers are still urged caution traveling in Mexico by the U.S. Department of State, primarily in remote regions not normally visited by tourists. Some other areas are still of concern and listed on their most current Mexico Security Update. Recent isolated incidents in Ciudad Juarez and Guadalajara have also been noted by the US Embassy in Mexico City.

Trusted tourism sources are giving Mexico the green light for travel.

“We have continued to see many consumers pick Mexico as a travel destination of choice despite these uncertain times. Mexico has the attractions, culture, experiences and most importantly, value that our travelers are seeking,” said Terry Dale, new President of the United States Tour Operators Association and former head of the Cruise Lines International Association.

Crime hot spots still center not around common tourist areas but along the US/Mexico border, so staying away from those areas is a good idea. But progress is being made there too, with one of Mexico’s most notorious crime boss’, Julio “El Negro” Radilla arrested at a hideout in Coatzacoalcos, a Gulf Coast port city, after a brief gun battle this week. Still, gang-related shootouts occur. Reuters reports twenty-eight people killed in a shootout among suspected rival drug gangs also this week.

Last week, Mexican President Felipe Calderon tried to reassure travelers that it is safe to come to Mexico, noting recent visitors had no problems.

“I saw thousands of spring breakers in Mexico having fun,” Mr. Calderon said in the Wall Street Journal. “My understanding is the only shots they received were tequila shots.”

Photo courtesy GoMazatlan.com

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Developing nations see huge gains in tourism revenue

by Kraig Becker on

According to data collected by the United Nations World Tourism Organizations (UNWTO), developing countries have seen significant gains in both the number of tourists visiting those nations and the amount of revenue generated from visitors over the past decade. In many of those countries, tourism ranks in the top three categories for economic development, demonstrating that travel can play a vital role in helping developing economies mature.

These findings were revealed at a recent United Nations conference on developing economies, with the study revealing that the 48 least developed countries saw the number of travelers rise from 6 million visitors in 2000 to over 17 million in 2010. Perhaps even more encouraging however, is that the revenue generated from those visitors rose from $3 billion to $10 billion.

The UNWTO is hoping that these findings will give developing nations the incentive they need to build a sustainable tourism industry. Tourism is already proving that it can be a driving force in creating new jobs and building a more dynamic economy. Discussions at the special conference centered around just that, with a focus on creating good governance and sustainability practices in tourism; promoting investment in a tourism based economy; nurturing poverty reduction through tourism; and developing methods for training a sustainable work force. Attendees at the conference also discussed ways of protecting their considerable natural and cultural assets as the numbers of visitors rise as well.

It is interesting that despite the harsh global economic climate over the past few years, emerging economies across the planet have continued to see a significant increase in the number of visitors and revenue generated from them. This bodes well for countries looking to improve their economy, and tourism is now seen as a very viable way of climbing out of poverty.

That is definitely something I can put my travel dollars behind.

Photo of the day – Carpets of Copan, Honduras

by Meg Nesterov on


If the street above looks a little more colorful than the average road, it’s because the carpet has been rolled out for Semana Santa, or holy week leading up to Easter. The “carpets” are made from colored sawdust and flowers and illustrate the Stations of the Cross. There are many reasons to visit Copan in the western region of Honduras, but the procession that will march down this street on Good Friday morning (April 6 in 2012, if you want to start planning) is a big draw; arrive early to admire the “carpets”. Thanks to Flickr user

Adalberto H Vega for capturing them before they got trampled!

Seen any cool street art on your travels? Add your photos to the Gadling Flickr pool and we may use one as another Photo of the Day.

VIDEO: Many steps around the world

by Meg Nesterov on


A new video by Japanese filmmaker Takayuki Akachi shows people taking steps all around the world. Sounds simplistic, because it is, but the video shows a beautiful slice-of-life from around the globe. His concept is described as “collecting the steps from all over the world and playing a music with the steps.” The artist specializes in a “lone backpacker” style of filming that allows him to travel without a film crew. This isn’t his first round-the-world video effort: last year he made the stop-motion Traveling Denim, documenting a pair of jeans over two years and 50 countries. Check out all of his videos on Vimeo.

Music by Dulo, video sponsored by Onitsuka Tiger sneakers. MANY STEPS from Takayuki Akachi on Vimeo.