Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com

US rules may impact Caribbean
10-19-2006

WASHINGTON, USA (UPI): Caribbean countries fear their tourism industry would be seriously affected by the new US passport requirements for Americans.

The rules, which become effective in January, will require US citizens flying from the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico, South America, Central America and Bermuda to show a passport when returning.

The new plan developed under the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 will require all travelers, regardless of nationality, to present a passport or other secure document when reentering the country, reports The Washington Times.

Caribbean tourism officials told the newspaper the new rule will discourage US citizens from traveling to the region without a passport and will particularly stifle spontaneous travel.

Under pressure from the cruise industry, the rule will not be put in force until June 1, 2009, for US citizens returning from those countries by land or sea but not by air, the report said.