Janet Silvera, Senior Tourism Writer

Smith (left) and Peterkin (right)

WESTERN BUREAU:

Faced with a 'soft' summer, the island's tourism stakeholders are in high spirits since learning that the United States Department of State and Homeland Security has been forced to allow temporary flexibility to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).

"It (the decision) uncorks a latent demand that we have been unable to release due to the difficulties in obtaining a passport in a timely manner," said Basil Smith, director of tourism.

He stressed, however, that it was "only a temporary relief and the full impact of the WHTI will return in September".

Strategy remains intact

Mr. Smith said that, consequently, the Jamaica Tourist Board's strategy remains intact to target passport holders. "But we are now relieved that we can also target people who can prove that they have applied for a passport."

The United States government was forced to ease the procedures governing travel by its citizens travelling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda after coming under severe criticism from irate passport applicants, congressmen and the burden of an overloaded system which has been flooded by millions of applications that they have been unable to process on time.

This year alone, the U.S. Passport Services will process 18 million applications, a forecast has shown.

As of yesterday, citizens who have applied for, but not yet received passports can temporarily enter and depart from the United States by air with a government-issued photo identification and Department of State official proof of application for a passport through September 30, said a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Kingston.

Loss in business

"It's a decision that makes a lot of sense. Every single property in this country has experienced a loss in business," said Horace Peterkin, Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association president.

He told The Gleaner that the island had seen significant downturn in travel from the U.S. "A little over 12 per cent, and more than half of that is related to the passport issue."

Relating the effects on his own resort, Sandals Montego Bay, he said one of his guests was willing to come on her honeymoon without her husband because they had already paid for their vacation and the travel agent was not willing to refund the couple when the man's passport was delayed. "I have been agonising over this situation for the last two weeks."

Reports from other hoteliers are that many wedding groups have been affected and have opted to have their big day in the U.S. instead, resulting in the loss of millions of dollars.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com