We discussed it late last year, but now it's actually happened: President Obama has taken the first step in loosening the travel restrictions to Cuba. The new policy is three-pronged. It will allow unlimited access for Cuban-Americans returning to the country to visit family, will enable more satellite and cellular communication services to be used on the island, and will also allow for people in the States to send as much money as they like to family members in Cuba (so long as they are not members of the Communist party) and will no longer limit the gift package restrictions.
According to the AP, travel agents have already been swarmed with calls from people looking to visit:
Miami travel agent Tesie Aral said her phone has been ringing nonstop in anticipation of the announcement, with a tenfold increase last Friday alone.
"People were already planning to travel more based on their ability to go every 12 months," said Aral, owner of ABC Charters. "Whether they can travel more frequently than that depends on the economy."
[via Huffington Post, Washington Post, New York Times]
Photo: ChrisGoldNY via the Intelligent Travel Flickr pool
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This is great. I remember watching a VH1 special a long time ago on Gloria Estefan and she was disappointed she was unable to visit her mother country.
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Congratulation to President-elect Barack Obama for becoming the 1st African-Americian to lead such a great nation, America and I am sure his presidency will affect the world.
Truly it is no coincidence that this auspicious event should take place with in the first year after the bi-centinary of slavery. The election of Mr Obama shows what can be achieved with determination,
preparation and change in ones mind set, to overcome adverse experiences. It is an overwheliming positive message to all my brothers and sisters of Africian decent to look up and not down to move forward and not stay stuck in the past. To no longer play the blame game and unleash the mental shackles. Martin Luthers dream has certainly become a reality.
Loosening the travel restirction to travel to Cuba is a very good news for people who are of Cuban origin, presently staying in the US but have a home in Cuba. Good move.
http://www.gocubans.com