The big day the travel industry has been waiting for is finally here. President Obama used the "n" word: normalization of relations with Cuba.
The agreement between Obama and Raul Castro announced today, hammered out in 18 months of negotiations in discussions encouraged by Pope Francis, is only the first step toward the kind of normalization that will make it as easy to travel to Cuba as most other countries. But it was a big first step, a long time coming.
Cuba has been under an economic embargo by the U.S. since the Kennedy administration in the early 1960s. Lifting the embargo will be up to Congress. But Obama has signaled his willingness to pursue that course.
The travel industry is heaving a sigh of jubilation. Demand for travel to Cuba has been astronomical according to nearly all sources.
Katharine Bonner, a vice president at Tauck, reflected the attitude of tour operators in response to the news.
"We welcome today's news about improved relations between the U.S. and Cuba," she said. "We're looking forward to learning specifics about how it pertains to travel. We continue to see huge pent-up demand for Cuba, which is why we've expanded our itinerary there from eight days to 13. Any additional steps by the government to relax travel restrictions to Cuba will only increase that demand, and we're excited to embrace the opportunity that represents."
Mayflower Tours president John Stachnik said he hopes the move toward fully opening Cuba moves swiftly.
According to John Stachnik, president of Mayflower Tours, "Our industry has been a firm believer in 'open borders,' and that everyone should have the opportunity to make their own decisions as to where they wish to travel. Nine U.S. presidents have been in office during this embargo. It is time to try another approach to normalization of relations between our two countries. Hopefully this normalization can take place in one majestic swoop, rather than a piecemeal approach. Both countries deserve no less."
Alexander + Roberts President Bob Drumm said a move like this doesn't just help the tourism industry, but helps move us closer to global peace.
"We're delighted with the 'breaking of borders'," Drumm said. "Something our company has stood for since the 1954 launch of the first trips to the Soviet Union. Nothing promotes world peace and understanding more than the free-flow of tourism."
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
