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CITA fears huge blow from US passport issue
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
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Ken Thompson,
Executive Director of the
Cayman Islands Tourism
Association. |
Hospitality sector officials here are lobbying the Ministry of Tourism, fearing the financial crisis that could arise from the "must have passport" rule being implemented in the US.
The US Government said it would be compulsory for its citizens and others travelling to the US from the Caribbean to have a passport or a specific travel document from 1 January 2007.
One year ago, the George W. Bush administration agreed to push back a previous deadline for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) after lobbying from regional tourism officials.
The Cayman Islands Government said it was assessing its options and working with the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) and the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association to come up with a solution.
On the eve of the departure of a tourism delegation to the US capital, Washington DC, to lobby for an extension to the 31 December 2006 passport deadline, stakeholders have expressed concerns.
Ken Thompson, Executive Director of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA), said members of his organisation were concerned about a possible loss of 60 percent of the US market.
CITA, which represents the interest of hotels and water sports on the Island, said about 40 percent of Americans visiting were in possession of a passport.
Americans outnumber all other nationalities as the largest single group visiting the Cayman Islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.
Over 40 percent of the Island's guests come from the United States, according to international tourism researchers.
Mr Thompson said on a number of occasions hospitality officials have discussed the matter with Tourism Minister Hon. Charles Clifford and have impressed upon him the serious effect this could have on their businesses.
According to him, the fallout would mean a huge drop in business and the financial impact would be unimaginable.
He said another worry to CITA members was that the passport issue came at a time when the Island's tourism was on an upward swing after Hurricane Ivan decimated the hospitality sector.
The official said no final decision has been taken by CITA but some of its members had begun advising US travellers on their websites about the importance of having a passport.
Discussions on hospitality matters with the Ministry of Tourism and Mr Clifford are ongoing with another CITA board meeting planned between them later this month, said Mr Thompson.
Cayman Net News asked the CITA spokesman if the members would consider reimbursing first-time US passport holders who made use of their document in Cayman for the first time.
He said CITA had not discussed that particular matter although a number of meetings had addressed concerns about the WHTI and its likely impact on the Island.
Meanwhile, the Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, said recently that reimbursing new US passport holders could be an option.
The Caribbean, according to industry officials, could lose millions of dollars and close to 200,000 jobs if the US does not extend the deadline for its citizens to have passports to re-enter from 1 January 2007.
With less than six months before the WHTI takes effect, Arawak Beach Inn Anguilla has launched its Passport to Paradise package, which rewards US travellers who stamp their passports there first.
The four-night programme includes accommodations and a complimentary day excursion to a secluded beach on an uninhabited island with a gourmet picnic lunch.
Passport to Paradise takers have until 30 June 2007 to enjoy the added attraction to holiday on the small British Territory in the Caribbean.
The package also is available for veteran passport holders with two or more Anguilla stamps in their passports.
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