Cuba Libre?

In the Smart Traveler section of our September issue, writer Randy B. Hecht wrote that a new resident in the White House could lead to some changes in the U.S.'s nearly five-decade-long ban on travel into Cuba. Hecht writes:

At least 136 lawmakers from both parties have put their names to legislation (four bills in the House, one in the Senate) to end the embargo. That means 25 percent of Congress publicly supports an end to the travel ban.

Hecht notes that neither McCain nor Obama has co-sponsored the legislation, but she speculates that with Fidel no longer in power, the likelihood of a policy change could come about when a new president takes office. Right now Obama has come out to support loosening of travel restrictions for Cuban Americans, while McCain wants to maintain all sanctions until Cuba agrees to diplomatic reforms.

Political persuasions aside, what do you think about the Cuban travel ban?

Photo: Barrybar via the Intelligent Travel Flickr pool

Comments

[Jet Set Life]

We have been hoping that we could do a show for Jet Set Life in Cuba for so long now. As we travel around the world people from other countries always find it rather perplexing that we can't go to Cuba. It seems to be a bit ridiculous at this point- doesn't it? Great post.
Rob

[John Ur]

Politically, I don't have much of an opinion on the ban. It doesn't really seem to have hurt Cuba from developing a very strong educational system and healthcare program. Culturally, it's one of the worst things we've ever done. People from Canada and Europe can travel to Cuba quite easily whereas we have to sneak through other countries to get there illegally. We need to remove travel restrictions for all US citizens and both countries need to learn from each other about their own mistakes.

[John Ur]

Politically, I don't have much of an opinion on the ban. It doesn't really seem to have hurt Cuba from developing a very strong educational system and healthcare program. Culturally, it's one of the worst things we've ever done. People from Canada and Europe can travel to Cuba quite easily whereas we have to sneak through other countries to get there illegally. We need to remove travel restrictions for all US citizens and both countries need to learn from each other about their own mistakes.

[Camels & Chocolate]

Well, I went down there for a couple weeks anyway, so obviously I didn't let it stop me =)

My big qualm with lifting the ban is it won't take long for American conglomerates to invade Cuba and turn it into a major tourist eyesore like many of the bigger islands in the Caribbean. Cuba, albeit poor, is such a beautiful country already, and it's nice going somewhere where there's not a McDonald's or Starbucks in the entire country.

[Camels & Chocolate]

Well, I went down there for a couple weeks anyway, so obviously I didn't let it stop me =)

My big qualm with lifting the ban is it won't take long for American conglomerates to invade Cuba and turn it into a major tourist eyesore like many of the bigger islands in the Caribbean. Cuba, albeit poor, is such a beautiful country already, and it's nice going somewhere where there's not a McDonald's or Starbucks in the entire country.

[Emily Coffey]

We need to End the Blockaid Against Cuba now. It has been a very poor policy for a number of years.

I have been to Cuba a number of times and would like to go back again without the Blockaid. As John Ur mentioned it could be a double edged sword when it opens to US tourist. Then it starts looking like any other country. The charm now is beautiful the country with lovely people.

[Caitlin]

The blockade and particularly the travel ban is completely barmy, not to mention hypocritical considering the trade that goes on with communist China.

Fortunately it doesn't affect me one way or another since I'm not American.

As the commenter above mentions, it would be a shame if it started being exploited for mass tourism.