Travel Industry Lauds Coleman’s Work to Delay Passport Plan

U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., was praised last week by the Travel Industry Association of America for working to delay the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), which would extend passport entry requirements to a number of countries throughout North America and the Caribbean.

“The premature implementation of WHTI at our land borders stands to cost our economy billions of dollars and immeasurable good will, not to mention our security if DHS [Department of Homeland Security] and State do not take the time necessary to fully test the alternative documents,” said Travel Industry Association CEO Roger Dow in a statement.

“The common-sense provisions of this amendment will ensure that WHTI does not adversely affect cross-border travel and trade between the U.S. and Canada, our biggest trading partner and close ally,” added Jonathan M. Tisch, CEO of Loews Hotels.

Coleman’s amendment, co-sponsored by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, would push for expanded access to passports for U.S. citizens, a cost-benefit analysis of WHTI and a study to see whether other forms of identification, such as a more secure driver’s license, could be used.

While business and travel industry groups praised the amendment, a report by the Foundation for Educational Exchange between Canada and the United States of America concluded that the initiative should be implemented on schedule.

“While it is vitally important to consider ways to reduce potential economic consequences that might be associated with the WHTI, policy makers should take caution not to lose sight of why this initiative was originally introduced by the United States,” the report said, noting that the changes were introduced as a counter-terrorism measure.

Coleman has had a close relationship with the travel industry.  In 2005, he accepted a $1,478 trip on a private jet from Carlson Cos. in order to attend a bill-signing ceremony in Washington, and he has received almost $10,000 in contributions from Carlson employees. He also has received more than $12,000 in contributions from political action committees for the travel industry, and more than $16,000 from employees of Northwest Airlines.