Cuba travel restriction lifted, ahh... eased.

[clevin]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/13/some-cuba-travel-restrict_n_186197.html

President Barack Obama directed his administration Monday to allow unlimited travel and money transfers by Cuban Americans to family in Cuba, and to take other steps to ease U.S. restrictions on the island, a senior administration official told The Associated Press.

Update: eased. not completely "lifted", as always, some place likes to exaggerate in the title.

Anyway, a good step towards a good direction.

[mbpnewbie]

But that doesn't mean we can go there yet, does it?

[zap2]

I'm not a fan of this "only Cuban Americans" can go....of course, its great they can go...but so should everyone who wants to!


The Cold War is over...we won, MOVE ON!

[BigHungry04]

Does this mean I can finally get Cuban cigars? That would be great.

[SactoGuy18]

Here's the problem: Cuba's infrastructure is woefully insufficient to handle the potential crush of tourists from the USA in 2009.

It's like China shortly after it resumed normal relations with the USA--it will take at least 8-10 years for Cuba to rebuild its infrastructure to be ready for large-scale American tourism.

[mactastic]

Here's the problem: Cuba's infrastructure is woefully insufficient to handle the potential crush of tourists from the USA in 2009.

It's like China shortly after it resumed normal relations with the USA--it will take at least 8-10 years for Cuba to rebuild its infrastructure to be ready for large-scale American tourism.
So you're asserting that the reason we have a Cuban embargo is to... protect Cuba? :confused:

[aethelbert]

So you're asserting that the reason we have a Cuban embargo is to... protect Cuba? :confused:
Where did you get that from? All he's saying is that the demand of so many more tourists to travel to the relatively small nation will not be able to be met until they build up. Cuba has, though, been a tourist destination for other nations, so there is a decent amount of infrastructure to cope with a moderate degree of tourism already, but it certainly isn't the industry keeping the island's economy alive.

However, it doesn't seem as if free movement is available between the two nations yet. But this does make a good step. There have, however, always been loopholes in getting to Cuba from America, such as flying through Mexico City.

[mactastic]

Where did you get that from? All he's saying is that the demand of so many more tourists to travel to the relatively small nation will not be able to be met until they build up. Cuba has, though, been a tourist destination for other nations, so there is a decent amount of infrastructure to cope with a moderate degree of tourism already, but it certainly isn't the industry keeping the island's economy alive.

However, it doesn't seem as if free movement is available between the two nations yet. But this does make a good step. There have, however, always been loopholes in getting to Cuba from America, such as flying through Mexico City.
Well that was in response to his assertion "Here's the problem..." I assumed he was speaking of the problem with lifting the embargo, since that was the topic. Maybe he was speaking about a different problem though. That's why I asked the question. To give him an opportunity to clarify.

[SactoGuy18]

Where did you get that from? All he's saying is that the demand of so many more tourists to travel to the relatively small nation will not be able to be met until they build up. Cuba has, though, been a tourist destination for other nations, so there is a decent amount of infrastructure to cope with a moderate degree of tourism already, but it certainly isn't the industry keeping the island's economy alive.


That was what I was going to say. :)

Cuba as of right now is like China in the early 1980's--not yet completely ready to handle the potential massive increase in tourists from the outside, especially the USA. Just the upgrade to Havana's Jose Marti airport will have to be enormous, to say the least.

[Chundles]

I'm an Aussie, can I go to Cuba?

[mactastic]

That was what I was going to say. :)

Cuba as of right now is like China in the early 1980's--not yet completely ready to handle the potential massive increase in tourists from the outside, especially the USA. Just the upgrade to Havana's Jose Marti airport will have to be enormous, to say the least.
I suspect they will manage.

[Sun Baked]

As soon as they lift travel restrictions enough to attract the Cruise Ships, things will happen quick for them.

Don't think it will take 8-10 years to rebuild if the Cruise Lines jump on board.

The first year after the cruise lines show, the money will likely pour in from the companies currently active there to open stores, hotels, activities, etc. to attract people to fly in instead.

[Peterkro]

Turn Cuba into a kind of offshore Disneyland? I think you may find some resistance to that idea. Perhaps a quick glimpse of Cuban history may enlighten.

[Eraserhead]

Here's the problem: Cuba's infrastructure is woefully insufficient to handle the potential crush of tourists from the USA in 2009.

It's like China shortly after it resumed normal relations with the USA--it will take at least 8-10 years for Cuba to rebuild its infrastructure to be ready for large-scale American tourism.


Given how few Americans travel abroad to the countries they *are* allowed to go to I don't think it'll be a big problem.

While travelling I met more Irish, Swedish and Canadians (to name some countries) than Americans, and those countries are *much* smaller than the US in population terms.

I'm an Aussie, can I go to Cuba?

I dunno if that is meant to be a joke, but actually it is a good question, I think you might have find it hard to get into the US if you'd been to Cuba on the same passport. Personally I was pretty glad my Vietnamese visa wasn't found when I entered the US.

[yg17]

I'm an Aussie, can I go to Cuba?


Yeah, I'm pretty sure you can (Unless Australia has any restrictions like the US does). Cuba has never restricted anyone from entering the country and from what I hear, welcomes tourists

[Peace]

Goodie!! A new way to launder drug money!! :cool:

[themoonisdown09]

Does this mean I can finally get Cuban cigars? That would be great.

I also want to know if I can buy a Cuban.

[SactoGuy18]

Turn Cuba into a kind of offshore Disneyland? I think you may find some resistance to that idea. Perhaps a quick glimpse of Cuban history may enlighten.

Cuba--just from its sheer land mass size--has the potential to be WAY more than just an "offshore" Disneyland. There is enough arable land in Cuba to make it one of the world's most lucrative areas of tropical agricultural production, period, especially given that gigantic market only across the Straits of Florida. :) I think Raul Castro envisions Cuba to be a miniature version of modern China within 15 years.

[MacDawg]

FWIW... Delta has expressed interest in opening the route

Woof, Woof - Dawg http://homepage.mac.com/k.j.vinson/pawprint.gif

[jessica.]

FWIW... Delta has expressed interest in opening the route

Woof, Woof - Dawg http://homepage.mac.com/k.j.vinson/pawprint.gif

FWIW, Cuba is, in fact, my dream vacation spot. I want nothing more than to photograph it. :o Delta and I may begin a nice long relationship. I am going to start saving my pennies.

After being denied twice to go by the US Embassy I was told I could get there by way of another country but if anything happened I was toast. I refrained out of fear. I hope they drop the "ease" and add the "lift" and let me get my wish before I turn 40.

[MacDawg]

Delta and I may begin a nice long relationship. I am going to start saving my pennies.

I will keep you posted on any progress with this

Woof, Woof - Dawg http://homepage.mac.com/k.j.vinson/pawprint.gif

[adrianblaine]

FWIW, Cuba is, in fact, my dream vacation spot. I want nothing more than to photograph it.

I would like to go for the same reason! Most of my architect/urban design friends would like to go as well. Apparently Havana is an amazing place, but that it is falling apart from lack of upkeep. I have no doubt that Cuba would see a huge inpouring of Americans if we were allowed to go.

[MacDawg]

Given how few Americans travel abroad to the countries they *are* allowed to go to I don't think it'll be a big problem.

That's just it... they are allowed to go those places, so the appeal isn't the same
After being told "no" for so long, many are very interested in going to Cuba just because they couldn't

Kinda like being told "no" as a kid... made you want to do it

Woof, Woof - Dawg http://homepage.mac.com/k.j.vinson/pawprint.gif

[jessica.]

That's just it... they are allowed to go those places, so the appeal isn't the same
After being told "no" for so long, many are very interested in going to Cuba just because they couldn't

Kinda like being told "no" as a kid... made you want to do it

Woof, Woof - Dawg http://homepage.mac.com/k.j.vinson/pawprint.gif

Actually, as a student studying architectural design I can tell you the decision came long ago and it was to photograph the city that is, in fact, falling, to experience the architecture and the people. The colors used and what the bring to the place as a whole. Yeah, it is not about being told no, it is about wanting to see something I have never seen.

[MacDawg]

Actually, as a student studying architectural design I can tell you the decision came long ago and it was to photograph the city that is, in fact, falling, to experience the architecture and the people. The colors used and what the bring to the place as a whole. Yeah, it is not about being told no, it is about wanting to see something I have never seen.

I get that in your case because of your photography background and interest, and from I understand, you won't be disappointed. To be sure, there are many like you who would find this a motivator.

I was just saying for the general traveler, there is interest because it has been off limits.

Woof, Woof - Dawg http://homepage.mac.com/k.j.vinson/pawprint.gif