THE NEW United States State Department passport regime which took effect yesterday, may already be having a negative impact on local tourism.

Horace Peterkin, president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), told The Gleaner yesterday that the first 21 days of the winter tourist season saw a 2.2 per cent decline in visitor arrivals to Montego Bay, St. James.

"I always said it will affect our business. Anybody who says it won't, that's wishful thinking," Mr. Peterkin said.

The winter season began on December 15.

The JHTA head said that because most Americans do not have passports, the State Department policy which took effect yesterday might hurt the tourism sector for some time.