HAVANA — A push in Congress to do away with U.S. travel bans on Cuba could set off a flood of American visitors to the long-forbidden island.
But many wonder if a country where foreigners have long complained about lousy food, sluggish service and iffy infrastructure is ready for an onslaught of Americans.
Cuba has about as many hotel rooms as Detroit and most are already full of Canadians and Europeans. Experts say droves of Americans could drive up prices, unleash calls for more flights and cruises than Cuba can handle and force the government to tighten visa restrictions to regulate the stampede.
"There is great pent-up demand,” said Bob Whitley, president of the United States Tour Operators Association, which opposes the travel ban. "It will have to be controlled by officials in Cuba, but also by U.S. tour operators to make sure the infrastructure is up to it.”
Bills in the U.S. House and Senate would effectively allow all Americans to visit.
Just how many U.S. travelers would come if Cuba weren’t off-limits is a guess. The American Society of Travel Agents estimated that nearly 1.8 million Americans could visit in the first three years after travel rules were loosened.
To control the flow, Cuba might tighten rules on visas. Currently, tourist cards can be purchased at airports outside the U.S. or through travel agents.
"The Cuban government may go, ‘Just because you say your people can come doesn’t mean we have to let everyone in,’” said John Kavulich, senior policy adviser for the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council in New York. "People forget the United States is not the only one with a say".
by the associated press
But many wonder if a country where foreigners have long complained about lousy food, sluggish service and iffy infrastructure is ready for an onslaught of Americans.
Cuba has about as many hotel rooms as Detroit and most are already full of Canadians and Europeans. Experts say droves of Americans could drive up prices, unleash calls for more flights and cruises than Cuba can handle and force the government to tighten visa restrictions to regulate the stampede.
"There is great pent-up demand,” said Bob Whitley, president of the United States Tour Operators Association, which opposes the travel ban. "It will have to be controlled by officials in Cuba, but also by U.S. tour operators to make sure the infrastructure is up to it.”
Bills in the U.S. House and Senate would effectively allow all Americans to visit.
Just how many U.S. travelers would come if Cuba weren’t off-limits is a guess. The American Society of Travel Agents estimated that nearly 1.8 million Americans could visit in the first three years after travel rules were loosened.
To control the flow, Cuba might tighten rules on visas. Currently, tourist cards can be purchased at airports outside the U.S. or through travel agents.
"The Cuban government may go, ‘Just because you say your people can come doesn’t mean we have to let everyone in,’” said John Kavulich, senior policy adviser for the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council in New York. "People forget the United States is not the only one with a say".
by the associated press
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