PHOTO: Tour operators say Cuba's tourism infrastructure is not ready for the expansion of volume that would result for a complete lifting of restrictions. (Photo by David Cogswell)
Tour operators are keeping their eyes closely on Congress after a group of senators proposed legislation that would lift virtually all travel restrictions on Americans traveling to Cuba.
Most tour operators contacted by TravelPulse responded positively, but skeptically, to the proposed changes. Those who are intimate with operations on the ground in Cuba understand that the opening of tourism to Cuba is not a simple matter of throwing a switch or passing a law.
"It would be wonderful for such a complete relaxation in travel to Cuba," said Robert Drumm, president of Alexander+Roberts. "It will certainly happen. When is the question."
Since the Cuban tourism infrastructure is probably not ready to receive a great deal more volume immediately, the proposed legislation may do little to speed up the process anyway.
"When scheduled air service resumes from the U.S., in the next year or so, might be a good time to open the doors wider," said Drumm.
Ronen Paldi, president of Ya'lla Tours, one of the longest-running operators of tours to Cuba, told TravelPulse, "This is great news, hopefully the first step of lifting the embargo all together.
"Yet, and I don't want to be a party crasher, but you need two to tango, and MINTUR [the Cuban Ministry of Tourism] is increasing prices in anticipation to the demand. On April 1 there will be an increase, and this is in addition to the increase that we experienced between 2014 and 2015.
"Havana is almost maxed out in terms of hotel availability. As a result of the new changes we have many new FITs wanting to travel, and many hotels have issued a 'stop sale' for February and part of March. MINTUR is dealing with the demand by increasing the prices."
Gianni Miradoli, CEO of Central Holidays, adopted a wait-and-see stance.
"Currently this is just a proposal that has not yet passed and we need to wait till the end of the process," said Miradoli. "On the other hand it is something will likely happen sooner or later. For us, it is an important step that certainly serves to benefit the travel industry and U.S. travelers. We do believe that it would entice more U.S. travelers to travel to Cuba."
At the same time, Miradoli said, the legislation will likely have little effect on Central Holidays' operations.
"There are already hundreds of licenses to travel to Cuba released by the U.S. Government currently," he said. "And we have been providing people-to-people cultural exchange travel programs for over a year. So fully opening travel to Cuba will not change anything regarding our business."
Miradoli, like most other tour operators, believes Cuba is not yet a good destination for independent travel.
"As a company already experienced in providing travel to Cuba, we believe that we have a great advantage as there are many elements that must be meticulously planned in order to successfully provide travel to the island nation," said Miradoli. "Companies already offering travel to Cuba will clearly have advantages over newcomer travel companies to Cuba."
While the tide continues to swell in favor of opening Cuba to Americans, there are still some vociferous hold-outs in Congress who advocate keeping the embargo in place, such as New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez, a Cuban-American who is closely tied with Florida-based anti-Castro Cuban community.
Menendez' comment that the legislation would fail and keeping the embargo in place is still the way to free the people of Cuba was responded to tartly by Mayflower Tours President John Stachnik.
"Of course Senator Menendez would say what he said," said Stachnik. "Americans are more interested in hearing what the other members of Congress have to say. I get the feeling that Senators Menendez and [Florida Senator Marco] Rubio will be very much in the minority when other members of congress are asked."
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