Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Orbitz to Obama: Drop Cuba travel limits

The possibility of a thawing in U.S.-Cuba relations has caught the attention of business interests eager to tap the potential market on the island. Such is the case with the tourist industry who’s hoping that the decades-long U.S. trade embargo and other restrictions will soon be dropped:

Online travel outfit Orbitz has recently begun the “Open Cuba” campaign aimed at influencing the White House to expand tourism to Cuba. “Why can't all of us visit this alluring neighbor and play a part in transforming the relationship between two countries?” wrote Orbitz chief exec Barney Harford in a statement launching “Open Cuba”. A poll commissioned by Orbitz found that roughly two in three people in the U.S. back scrapping travel restrictions to Cuba; similar polls have shown most people want the limits removed though not as much as the Orbitz poll.

Obviously the lifting of travel limits would help Orbitz’ profit margin, especially in the midst of a weakened economy and less airline travel. But is it high time for the U.S. restrictions to be scrapped or (as I believe) it’s too soon and more conditions have to be changed on the island?

What do you think?

Online Sources- Guardian UK, Huffington Post, The Latin Americanist, CNN, tbo.com

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lift the restrictions now, but at the same time press for certain conditions to improve like the political prisoner situation.

Anonymous said...

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Anyone can check it out personally how orbitz work out.