US Tourism Industry Can’t Wait For You to Go to Cuba

Ryan Romo

Recently, the United States of America was surprised when president Barack

Obama announced that he was planning to fully open diplomatic and economic

relations with Cuba, rolling back a section of US foreign policy that had been around since the early 1960′s

While this has been a somewhat controversial move in both public and

political forums, most people agree that it was the right move and that the embargo was literally one of the most pointless aspects of US foreign policy

It accomplished nothing that it was meant to (cripple the communist Castro government so that freedom and democracy would supersede it) and instead just harmed the Cuban population, turned

the people against the US, and allowed the government to blame the embargo for any

shortcomings the country was facing

While relations have been thawing in the past (Americans with family in Cuba can visit and it’s possible to get to Cuba on a cultural or

educational exchange), this is a huge first step and the opening of economic and diplomatic relations promises to change both countries

Some of the groups most excited for the recent thaw are tourism groups on both sides

While the lifting of the embargo isn’t going to fully open Cuba to tourism,

it will still be enough to allow Americans to travel to the country

and spend their money there

Tourism companies on both sides are excited to be able to introduce Americans to Cuban culture (and vice-versa) and to

have money exchanging hands again

Cuba is now going to be the target of waves of developers too as they fight

over the most pristine territory on which to build luxury resorts that can take

advantage of the newly opened country

With Cuba being like a step back to the 1950′s, companies are expecting people to

line up for tickets and hotel rooms

Full tourism in Cuba is going to need approval from Congress and will be forced to rely on

Cuba’s weak infrastructure and economy

The government is also most likely going to continue to closely monitor tourist

movements and make sure that Americans don’t travel to where they’re forbidden

While there are still roadblocks in the way on this open tourism, companies on

both sides are lining up and waiting impatiently for the influx of Americans

and cash that will eventually make landfall

To read more, visit: !

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-12-19/thawed-cubaus-relations-could-

open-up-travel

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