2006 Press Releases
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Extended
August 14, 2006
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has extended the first phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), by one-week, from January 1, 2007 to January 8, 2007. This change will ease the burden of implementing a new system during the busy Christmas holiday season. The WHTI will require, with some exceptions, that citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the British Overseas territory of Bermuda present a passport to enter the United States when arriving by air or sea from any part of the Western Hemisphere, including The Bahamas.
During consultations in Washington, D.C. in June, U.S. Ambassador John Rood promoted awareness of the travel initiative within the United States by securing approval for placement of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism’s posters reminding travelers of the passport initiative to be posted in all U.S. customs and passport facilities in Florida. U.S. efforts to promote awareness of WHTI are ongoing.