Thread: Border ID plan worries tourism industry

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Border ID plan worries tourism industry

By CAROLYN THOMPSON
Associated Press Writer

March 6, 2006, 5:25 PM EST

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. -- The U.S. plan to require people traveling between the United States and Canada to have passports or similar identification is already hurting cross-border tourism, and it's not even in effect yet, tourism officials said Monday.

Convention planners are hesitant to book events across the border a year or two in advance without knowing how the plan will be implemented or what new identification cards will cost, Randy Williams of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada told a panel of U.S. and Canadian government officials.

Many Americans are staying away from Canada already, believing the requirement is in effect now, he said.

"There is uncertainty in the marketplace and uncertainty is killing us right now," Williams said at a conference of the Binational Tourism Alliance, a trade organization that promotes cross-border tourism.

Others worried potential tourists would find it too bothersome and costly to apply for cards for themselves and their children, and to have to carry extra documents with them.

Americans currently need to show a driver's license or birth certificate when re-entering the country at land borders. Beginning Jan. 1, 2008, they will need either a passport or other form of identification now being developed by the Department of Homeland Security and State Department.

Air and sea travelers will have to show the new identification a year earlier under the plan announced by the United States in April as part of post-Sept. 11 efforts to keep terrorists out.

Canadians, meanwhile, will have to show a passport to enter the United States.

Ontario Tourism Minister Jim Bradley predicted the Buffalo Bills will see fewer Canadian fans in the stands and winter destinations like Myrtle Beach and Florida will lose Canadian "snowbirds" and the money they spend.

In 2003, there were 34.5 million visits by Canadians to the U.S., and 22 million U.S. visits to Ontario, according to the Binational Tourism Alliance.

Bradley said he favored upgrading existing forms of identification, like the driver's license, with new security features and a citizenship designation.

"That would achieve greater security while allowing us all to cross the border on the informal basis we have enjoyed throughout our history," he said.

"Nothing's been taken off the table," said Tamara Conway, a Department of Homeland Security policy adviser. She said the government was working to lower the potential cost of the passport alternative. U.S. passports are $97, while officials have indicated a wallet-sized card would cost about half that.

"I am glad they are listening," said Sen. Charles Schumer, who is among officials on both sides of the border who warn against reduced trade and leisure travel between the two countries. "But we need a solution that recognizes that we can secure the border and protect commerce and tourism.

"Most importantly," the New York Democrat said, "we need information sooner rather than later on any modified proposals so everyone is on the same page."

Former Congressman John LaFalce said the United States and Canada need to harmonize security processes but that a new document will do nothing to increase safety. He noted many of the Sept. 11 attackers had documentation when they entered the country.

"It may lull us into a false sense of security," said LaFalce, who said implementation of the law should be delayed.

The tourism group gave U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter an award for seeking an economic review of the law, called the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, before it is enacted.

"We don't have to choose between economic and physical security. We can have both," said Slaughter, D-N.Y. "We just have to approach this problem in the right way."

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On the Net:

Binational Tourism Alliance: http://www.btapartners.com


Copyright 2006 Newsday Inc.

Isn't it just great that there so Concerned about the ID of American Citizens. But they don't want to enforce laws, on Illegals.