I am a gmail user, and I haven't traveled to the Bahamas in about 2 years. I opened my gmail account today and saw that I had an e-mail regarding a change of laws from "Bahamas Ministry of Tourism" that looks suspiciously like a spammer's fake title. The e-mail had content regarding movement in and out of the US and the Bahamas. They say new laws go into effect on Jan. 23 of '07.

My questions are

1. Does anyone know anything about the new laws? I don't feel like clicking it because it could be spam. The e-mail advised checking the regs at http://www.travel.state.gov

2. How does gmail know I am a Bahamas traveler? Is the data mining that severe, or is it more likely that this is an incredibly infrequent spammer?

12/23/2006 5:14:08 PM

there are some law changes i think coming up at the end of the year

you will have to have an active passport now. i went back in march with a passport that has been expired for about 2-3 years and remember reading about upcoming changes

12/23/2006 5:33:28 PM

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

Quote :

"Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable."

As to your first question, yes it could be spam as the link itself could lead to some other website than travel.state.gov. As to your second question, it REALLY depends on where you have given your gmail account out. Who was the sender?

12/23/2006 5:35:47 PM

Quote :

"How does gmail know I am a Bahamas traveler? Is the data mining that severe, or is it more likely that this is an incredibly infrequent spammer?"

why do they send you emails about penis enlargement pills when you know nothing could help your small size out....

what makes you think that it was targeted spam

12/23/2006 9:42:36 PM

for real though he's right. you have to have a passport to go to the bahamas from now on.

there used to be ways around it but i remember last year they were saying that next year you'd need a passport.

12/23/2006 10:51:59 PM

Thank you for your help about the law. I remember giving my e-mail address out on a customs form the more I think about it. I am just surprised they didn't solicit it out and that I got a legitimate e-mail 2 years later.

12/24/2006 1:24:23 PM