Janet Silvera, Senior Tourism Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Intense petitioning by Bahamas' Minister of Tourism, Obie Wilcombe, has resulted in a 30-day relief by the United States Congress to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).

The regulation is still in effect as at Tuesday, January 23. However, if any American is stranded outside the United States border without a passport, they will be allowed reentry on presentation of suitable identification.

Intervention by Congressman Benny Thompson, chairman of the U.S. Congress' Homeland Security Committee, resulted in the modification.

Sitting with Congress

Minister Wilcombe, who has secured a meeting with U.S. Homeland Security in Washington, D.C, next Monday, will also lead a group of Caribbean leaders to a sitting with Congress in March.

"During the next 30 days, we will participate in educating more U.S. citizens on the importance of getting their passports, but most importantly we must get together as a region, decide on the approach and make a compelling argument when we get audience with Congress," the minister told The Gleaner yesterday.

Designating the strides as good news for the region, he said that, at Monday's meeting, he plans to discuss the preferential treatment that was given to the cruise lines that were allowed a one-year extension that takes effect in January 2009.

"Ideally, we are seeking the same extension as the cruise lines."

The minister said the Bahamas may be able to survive the new regime, but that the reality is that the impact might be greater on the rest of the region.

"We can't talk about Caribbean unity if you are not part of a team," he noted.

In his estimation, Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, secretary general of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), should lead the charge, along with representatives of small and large countries to the March meeting with Congress.