WHTI IMPLEMENTED SMOOTHLY, BUT MINISTER TAKES

UNCLAS NASSAU 000137 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR RCBUDDEN, CA/P DSTAEBEN, CA/PPT FMOSS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CPAS PREL ECON BF SUBJECT: WHTI IMPLEMENTED SMOOTHLY, BUT MINISTER TAKES CREDIT FOR DEADLINE "EXTENSION" REF: 06 NASSAU 1611 ¶1. (U) Following predictions that the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) would be a "category six hurricane" for The Bahamas (reftel),implementation of WHTI on January 23 came and went with little fanfare and no noticeable change in the normal flow of tourists to The Bahamas. In its first week in force, 17,261 Americans passed through CPB's Pre-clearance facility and only 32 of these American travelers did not have the required travel document. CBP also notes easier processing and improved service to travelers because of the increased passport usage, with no significant change in the numbers of passengers processed. Local hotels have maintained high occupancy rates that appear to be unchanged by implementation. WHTI has, to date, had negligible impact on travelers to The Bahamas. ¶2. (SBU) The only confusion arising from WHTI implementation in The Bahamas was generated by the Bahamian Minister of Tourism, who traveled to Washington January 24 and met with U.S. Congressman Bennie Thompson, Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee. Following his Hill meeting, Wilchcombe triumphantly proclaimed to the Bahamian media that his discussions with the Congressman had resulted in a "waiver" of the initiative and an "extension" of the January 23 deadline. Wilchcombe asserted that his lobbying in Washington and relationships in Congress were responsible for his success (which neither his Prime Minister nor Foreign Minister had been able to achieve). This erroneous information was widely carried in local and regional media, with Wilchcombe hailed as a regional hero in some reports. Wilchcombe also promised additional meetings with DHS officials during the "extension" period in ongoing attempts to have implementation further delayed. ¶3. (SBU) Post moved quickly to correct Wilchcombe's statements, while seeking to avoid embarrassment to this senior minister by providing local media with facts regarding the smooth implementation of WHTI and the "common sense, flexible approach" to implementation adopted by CBP during the initial phase-in period. Post emphasized the need for Americans to travel with passports, noted that WHTI was in full force, and made clear that its requirements had not been waived or delayed in any way. Charge spoke directly with the Tourism Minister on two occasions emphasizing the counterproductive nature of his public statements, which could sow confusion among American travelers and Bahamian hoteliers. Despite Post's efforts, Wilchcombe's alleged victory in Congress continued to reverberate within the local media. In one case, a story discussing Post's press release that "no waiver had been granted" included a report that the Minister was hard at work pursuing "an extension to the waiver." ¶4. (SBU) COMMENT: WHTI is likely to have a modest impact on so-called impulse travel to The Bahamas -- people who see an ad on television on a cold day and say 'I have to get away to The Bahamas.' Hoteliers claim they have had cancellations of larger groups for business meetings or weddings where all participants may not have passports. Nevertheless, bookings remain strong for most hotels, suggesting that earlier predictions of empty hotels and mass unemployment amounting to a "Category 6 Hurricane" were overblown. Given this successful rollout, it is hard to understand what the Minister of Tourism is hoping to achieve by rearguard lobbying. His real motives appear to have more to do with domestic politics and looming elections. Wilchcombe's exaggerated claims may have boosted his political fortunes for the elections and within his party, where he is seen as a potential successor to PM Christie. But he has also annoyed some of his party colleagues who see his grandstanding as coming at their expense. ¶5. COMMENT (continued): Post is continuing to reach out to local media outlets to ensure they understand that WHTI is in force and that there are no prospects for its being rolled back, no matter what the Minister of Tourism might be suggesting. END COMMENT. HARDT