After much concern was raised about a U.S. passport requirement deadline, the United States Embassy in Nassau announced on Thursday that the U.S. government has decided to review the initial proposed timeline for implementation of the new requirement.
The new rule is a part of U.S. efforts to improve protection of their borders in the fight against terrorism.
Initially, the U.S. had said that all American citizens traveling to the United States from the Caribbean, Central America and South America as of January 1, 2006 would have been required to have passports.
The deadline for air travelers coming from Canada and Mexico had been set at January 1, 2007; and the deadline for land travelers coming from those countries was originally January 1, 2008.
The U.S. Embassy said in a statement, “The departments of State and Homeland Security recognize that implementing the requirements of this legislation has potentially significant implications.”
But the embassy indicated that no new dates had been announced. It said it would provide that information when it is announced.
The announcement has come as good news for tourism officials and stakeholders in the country’s number one industry who had feared that tourism would have suffered substantial losses because most Americans do not have passports.
“We understand that an extension has been given and it is good news and we give thanks to the United States ambassador because I am sure the role he played was very significant,” Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe said in an interview with The Bahama Journal.
He said the extension is being welcomed by the entire Caribbean which had been lobbying hard for the January 1, 2006 deadline to be put off.
“It’s going to take a while for many Americans who intend to travel to the region to obtain their passports and because of that process we are very pleased that they have adhered to the request made by The Bahamas,” Minister Wilchcombe said.
If the U.S. decides to extend the deadline for a year, Minister Wilchcombe said it would be sufficient time for The Bahamas to conduct its promotions alerting Americans of the new passport rule.
“We just have to ensure that we continue with the public relations to let the Americans know the importance of getting their passports.”
Frank Comito, executive vice president of the Bahamas Hotel Association, spoke to the Journal before the announcement had actually been made locally.
“We had sought parity with Canada and Mexico up to January 1, 2008-and we have been fed back that it may very well be extended for a year or a period of time,” Mr. Comito said.
“Any additional extension is certainly helpful and we are pleased that our concerns from The Bahamas as well as the region were considered by the U.S officials. The implementation [after] the end of this year would have had a very dramatic affect on our business.”
Mr. Comito said that the proposed January deadline has already affected The Bahamas with some Americans canceling wedding plans.
“Particularly in Grand Bahama wedding groups as a result of the concerns of the travelers and the huge cost that they would have incurred from many of their party to be required to have passports so quickly has resulted in many cancellations,” Mr. Comito said.
By: Perez Clarke, The Bahama Journal
