NewsWhore
10-04-2006, 06:40 PM
The Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization is comparing the recent US government decision to apply the passport requirement to the Caribbean only in the case of air travel to "a category 6 hurricane". Yesterday, the US Congress approved an amendment that discriminates against hotel-based tourism in the Caribbean. The amendment delays the implementation of the new passport requirement for land crossings at the Mexican and Canadian borders until 1 June 2009, as well as the requirement for cruise passengers coming to the US from the Caribbean. However, all US citizens traveling by air to the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada or Bermuda must carry a passport by 8 January 2007.
Commenting on the decision, Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace said yesterday:
"Needless to say, the affected Caribbean nations are extremely disappointed with this outcome because the potential economic impact on their business could be catastrophic. We understand that some of those affected destinations will be making their own statements and taking some specific action on this matter.
"It is incomprehensible that the United States Government would approve an amendment that excludes air arrivals from the Caribbean and thereby grant an additional advantage to cruise lines in the Caribbean which already enjoy a significant competitive advantage, especially in light of the fact that the cruise lines supported the inclusion of air arrivals also. We know that all the affected governments made their own representation through several diplomatic channels as recently as last Wednesday prior to the final vote on this bill. Because of the potential far-ranging effect of this action, there is nothing potentially more devastating. This is a category 6 hurricane."
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#1)
Commenting on the decision, Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace said yesterday:
"Needless to say, the affected Caribbean nations are extremely disappointed with this outcome because the potential economic impact on their business could be catastrophic. We understand that some of those affected destinations will be making their own statements and taking some specific action on this matter.
"It is incomprehensible that the United States Government would approve an amendment that excludes air arrivals from the Caribbean and thereby grant an additional advantage to cruise lines in the Caribbean which already enjoy a significant competitive advantage, especially in light of the fact that the cruise lines supported the inclusion of air arrivals also. We know that all the affected governments made their own representation through several diplomatic channels as recently as last Wednesday prior to the final vote on this bill. Because of the potential far-ranging effect of this action, there is nothing potentially more devastating. This is a category 6 hurricane."
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#1)