The Caribbean tourist industry is sharply criticizing changes in U.S. rules extending the time that American cruise passengers can travel without their passports — but not those who journey by air.
Bahamas tourism officials are joining in the criticism of the new changes in the U.S. passport rules. Yet it was only a few months ago that the same individuals were heralding the fact that the Bahamas is a “sovereign nation” that can do what it wants, with total disregard US policy or desires.
President Bush signed the changes into law yesterday. The changes allow U.S. citizens to return from visits to Canada and Mexico, or from cruises throughout the Caribbean, without a passport until June first, 2009. But the law maintains that air travelers to those areas must carry a passport starting January eighth.
Despite the partial deadline extension, Caribbean tourism officials worry about revenue loss because cruise travelers tend to spend less money in a single port than a visitor who traveled to the country by air.
The new requirements will not affect travel between the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
