Lifting Cuba Travel Ban Could Impact Local Tourism

Lifting Cuba Travel Ban Could Impact Local Tourism
Posted: 2:33 pm EDT May 4, 2010

CANCUN, Mexico -- Congress is closer than ever to ending the travel ban on Cuba and that could turn Central Florida into a gateway for thousands of curious tourists, but it could also create a competing travel destination and WFTV found out some local business leaders are being proactive, meeting with Cuban officials in Mexico.

WFTV reporter Jason Allen traveled to Cancun to find out what their discussions could means for Central Florida.

In quiet conversations, travel industry power players are preparing for a situation that could drastically affect Central Florida: opening up travel to Cuba, a place most Americans have never been.

WFTV traveled to the summit in Cancun, Mexico, where travel leaders met with Cuban leaders. With bills working through Congress and President Obama already opening travel to Cuban-Americans, Florida's travel industry is planning for an end to the ban; Florida's cruise industry is already positioned to go.

Central Florida vacationers could make the island a side trip, just like they do now with the Florida Keys.

“Some people go down just for a day or couple of days. I think there's no reason why we can't do that with Cuba, as well,” said Philip Sheldon, Hanns Ebensten Travel.

More:
http://www.wftv.com/news/23450133/detail.html

One minute it's up, next it's down, then it's up again, then it's down to zero again.

I thought the marionettes were against the embargo.

Maybe Castro is doing the unrec'ing, after all Hil says he wants the US to keep sanctions on. :eyes:

for Cuba's poverty, which the embargo was meant to accomplish, just as it was in 1897, when the Undersecretary of War, John C. Breckenridge wrote, on Christmas Eve,

We must destroy everything within our cannons' range of fire. We must impose a harsh blockade so that hunger and its constant companion, disease, undermine the peaceful population and decimate the army.

http://www.rcgfrfi.easynet.co.uk/ratb/cuba/history3.htm

The one thing we must do, if we are to be wise, is to get even with him and ending the embargo just so he'll have no one to blame when Cuba doesn't start getting healthier, and happier. We'll show him!

but I'm going to unrec just because I hate the way so many threads are more about people whining about unrecs than about the subject. Of course, this thread might be more than 24 hour old, but I am about to try to unrec.

You don't like the way replies (like yours) distract or stray from the topic in the OP. OK :nopity:

So you unrec the topic (the OP) and tell us in a post that strays from the OP topic? :wtf: :wow: :beer: :beer: :dunce:

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:toast: :beer:

:hi:

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BTW, where did your Nazi rally pics go?

I actually outside having one right now.

You are bad. ;)

lol

:sarcasm:

:hi:

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but apparently the local authorities don't properly kiss up in Washington, so the idea flopped.

Now with the OILIO coming to attack the Keys tourists might just fly into Miami and hop on a flight to Cuba.

after the damage has finally been controlled, if ever.

Looks ideal if the conditions were normal. It could make a totally interesting trip.

I would hope they also are considering boat trips as part of a new service to tourists, too.

Some of Cuba's NW coastline is likely to get some contamination.

:(

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