New ID Requirements for Cross-Border Travel: Perceptions and Implications

Transcription

1 New ID Requirements for Cross-Border Travel: Perceptions and Implications

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3 Presentation Outline Background Research Objectives Methodology Key Findings Implications 3

4 Background During a recent visit to Nova Scotia, Condoleezza Rice, US Secretary of State assured Canadians that they won t need a passport to visit the US. Instead, a cheaper, easier form of ID will be available before the new travel security rules take effect. This was the latest round of the controversial cross-border ID issue, resulting from the passage of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) by US Congress in Once in effect, this legislation will mean that all travellers entering the US, including their own citizens, will require a passport or some other form of acceptable ID (which has not yet been developed). 4

5 Background (cont d) Announced by the US Department of Homeland Security, the rules are scheduled to take effect in January 2007 for travellers arriving by air and by sea, and one year later for land border crossings. In addition, while the US Senate has proposed legislation to delay implementation by 18 months, this is not yet law. Given the complexity of the laws, as well as the actual and potential delays in implementation, it is not surprising that considerable confusion exists among travellers. In the meantime, politicians and political observers on both sides of the border remain skeptical that a new form of ID can be developed and implemented in advance of the regulatory deadlines. 5

6 Objectives The purpose of this study is to provide the tourism industry with information about awareness and perceptions of travel ID requirements. The results to follow answer these questions: What is the current understanding of ID requirements? How might this impact current travel activity? What is the potential impact of the upcoming law? How do citizens on both sides of the border feel about new ID requirements? What are the main obstacles to acquiring a passport? 6

7 Methodology Two waves of research conducted online in Canada and the US: Wave 1: Primary wave of research (January 26 to 30, 2006): Completions in Canada (n=1,127); and, Completions in US (n=1,702). Wave 2: Follow-up research to update awareness measures (September 5 to 10, 2006): Completions in Canada (n=1,146); and, Completions in US (n=1,000). 7

8 Methodology (cont d) Respondents were 18 years of age or more. Data were weighted by key demographics to be representative of the online population within regions: Age; Gender; and, Income/level of education. 8

9 Key Findings

10 How many people have a valid passport? (among online population 18+) Less than one-half of residents on both sides of the border currently hold valid passports. Canadians Americans Don't Know 1% Do Not 54% Have a Valid Passport 46% Do Not 59% Have a Valid Passport 40% (n=1,146) (n=1,000) Q2) For travel between <Canada and the US / the US and Canada>, is it your understanding that by law a person must travel with a passport, or is another form of identification, such as a birth certificate currently acceptable? 10

11 Is a passport required now? (among online population 18+) Considerable confusion exists. Around one-in-three residents believe that a passport is currently required for travel between the US and Canada. Canadians Americans Don't Know 4% Passport Required 29% Don't Know 21% Passport Required 32% Other ID Acceptable 67% Other ID Acceptable 47% (n=1,146) (n=1,000) Q2) For travel between <Canada and the US / the US and Canada>, is it your understanding that by law a person must travel with a passport, or is another form of identification, such as a birth certificate currently acceptable? 11

12 Change in passport perceptions since January (among online population 18+) Perceptions have not changed much since January, despite considerable press coverage and PR efforts in both countries. Canadians 9% 4% No/Don't Know Americans 24% 21% 62% 67% Other ID Acceptable 44% 47% 29% 29% Passport Required 32% 32% January September January September (n=1,127) (n=1,146) (n=1,702) (n=1,000) Q2) For travel between <Canada and the US / the US and Canada>, is it your understanding that by law a person must travel with a passport, or is another form of identification, such as a birth certificate currently acceptable? 12

13 Are you aware of the upcoming law? (among online population 18+) Canadians are much more likely to state that they are aware of the upcoming legislation, while Americans are more likely to admit that they don t know. Canadians Americans No/ Don't Know 6% Believe Passport is Required 29% Aware of Upcoming Law 65% (n=1,146) No/ Don't Know 33% Aware of Upcoming Law 35% Believe Passport is Required 32% (n=1,000) Q4) And are you aware that within the next few years, a passport or another new form of travel I.D. may be required by law for travel between <Canada and the US / the US and Canada>? 13

14 Change in awareness of law since January (among online population 18+) Awareness of the upcoming change in legislation has increased among Americans, and is slightly higher among Canadians as well. Canadians Americans 12% 6% No/Don't Know 42% 33% 59% 65% Aware Of Upcoming Law 26% 35% 29% 29% Passport Required 32% 32% January September January September (n=1,127) (n=1,146) (n=1,702) (n=1,000) Q4) And are you aware that within the next few years, a passport or another new form of travel I.D. may be required by law for travel between <Canada and the US / the US and Canada>? 14

15 Impact of law on future travel intentions (among those aware that a passport is NOT currently required) Among those aware that a passport is not required, substantial segments of Canadians (33%) and Americans (19%) state that they would be less likely to travel across the Canada US border as a result of the upcoming ID requirements. Canadians Americans 33% Less Likely No Impact 19% 58% More Likely 70% 5% 4% (n=817) Don't Know 2% 9% (n=671) Q5) What impact, if any, would a requirement for a passport or another new form of travel I.D. have on your likelihood to travel to destinations in (Canada/the US) in the future? 15

16 Changes in impact since January (among those aware that a passport is NOT currently required) Americans are more likely to anticipate no change in their likelihood to travel to Canada than they were in January. Attitudes of Canadians have remained relatively unchanged. Canadians Americans 33% 33% Less Likely to Travel 25% 19% No Impact 61% 58% More Likely 63% 70% 4% 2% 5% 4% January September Don't Know 3% 2% 9% 9% January September (n=801) (n=817) (n=1,183) (n=671) Q5) What impact, if any, does a requirement for a passport have on your likelihood to travel to other destinations in <the US / Canada> in the future? 16

17 Impact of passport confusion on intentions now (among those who believe that a passport is currently required) Among residents who believe that a passport is currently required, many believe that they will be less likely to take cross-border trips. Many of these Canadians (19%) think that they would be more likely to travel, perhaps due to the easier new form of ID. Canadians Americans 22% Less Likely to Travel 14% 54% No Impact More Likely 79% 19% 5% (n=329) Don't Know 3% 4% (n=329) Q) What impact, if any, does a requirement for a passport have on your likelihood to travel to destinations in (Canada/the US) in the future? 17

18 Perceptions of the Issue

19 It is a good idea to require a passport or other form of ID for travel between the US and Canada. (among online population 18+) Canadians and Americans both show modest support for some form of secure travel ID. % Disagree Strongly/Somewhat % Agree Strongly/Somewhat 25% Canadians (n=1,146) 60% 13% Americans (n=1,000) 64% Q) To what extent do you agree with the following statements 19

20 Requiring a passport or other form of ID for travel between the US and Canada will help increase border security. (among online population 18+) Generally, residents of both countries agree that some form of improved identification for cross-border travel will improve border security. % Disagree Strongly/Somewhat % Agree Strongly/Somewhat 21% Canadians (n=1,146) 61% 14% Americans (n=1,000) 65% Q) To what extent do you agree with the following statements 20

21 A new form of travel ID would make travel between the US and Canada easier. (among online population 18+) Canadians are more likely than Americans to agree that a new form of ID would make travel across our borders easier. % Disagree Strongly/Somewhat % Agree Strongly/Somewhat 26% Canadians (n=1,146) 51% 24% Americans (n=1,000) 31% Q) To what extent do you agree with the following statements 21

22 It is expensive to acquire or renew a new passport. (among online population 18+) Cost is an obstacle to obtaining a passport. This is more of a concern among Canadians than it is among residents of the U.S. % Disagree Strongly/Somewhat % Agree Strongly/Somewhat 12% Canadians (n=1,146) 70% 23% Americans (n=1,000) 40% The cost for an adult US resident to obtain a passport is $97 US and $82 US for a child under 16 years of age. Renewing a valid passport cots $67. For Canadians, an adult passport costs $87 Cdn., while a passport for a child between the age of 3 and 14 years costs $37 and one for a child under years costs $22. Q) To what extent do you agree with the following statements 22

23 Implications

24 Implications The majority of Canadians and Americans do not currently hold valid passports. While there is some support for the idea of heightened security, many residents acknowledge that the new regulations will negatively impact their likelihood of crossing the Canada-US border. There is also a great deal of confusion around this issue, with around one-third of residents believing that a passport is already required. How much impact does this have on the tourism industry now, and how much impact will it have when the new laws are actually in place? 24

25 Implications (cont d) In August, Statistics Canada reported that same day trips by Americans to Canada fell in June to their lowest level in more than three decades. Overnight trips from the US have not declined as dramatically; however, slight declines have occurred during the early months of the key summer season. While other factors (including the exchange rate and the price of gasoline) are also impacting travel, there can be no doubt that the WHTI issue is already taking its toll. In addition, as we near the implementation dates with no cheaper, easier document in place, there is fear on both sides of the border of travel chaos and of a significant drop of tourism and trade between the countries. 25

26 Implications (cont d) The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) has been taking action to advocate on behalf of the industry. For example, TIAC: Created and leads a binational Passport Coalition of tourism stakeholders; Continues to meet with government officials in both Canada and the US; and, Is developing an educational and communications strategy. 26

27 Implications (cont d) TIAC is actively lobbying for: A single implementation date of January 1, 2008; Definition of other secure documents and the recognition/ development of passport alternatives that meet the principles of accessibility and affordability; US government awareness campaign to communicate the current rules and new WHTI requirements and timelines to tourism businesses and travellers, which will also encourage all American citizens to obtain a passport or other acceptable document; An exemption for travellers aged 16 years and younger who are travelling with a guardian or chaperone that has proper documentation; and, Effective US border management and implementation plan. 27

28 NEW ID REQUIREMENTS FOR CROSS-BORDER TRAVEL: PERCEPTIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Michael Ennamorato Senior Vice President TNS Canadian Facts Bloor Street East Toronto, Ontario M4W 3H8 Canada michael.ennamorato@tns-global.com Jennifer Hendry Research Manager Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) Albert Street Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G jhendry@tiac.travel Enquiries should be addressed to Michael Ennamorato