If you had the chance, would you travel to Cuba on vacation?
- Submitted by: admin
- Travel and Tourism
- 05 / 17 / 2010
Americans have been banned for 47 years from vacationing in Cuba, making the island a forbidden fruit. But if you're thinking that Cuba is one vast empty beach pining away for U.S. tourists, think again.
It already has 2.4 million tourists a year, mostly Canadians and Europeans. Huge resorts and hotels line its beaches. The island has 50,000 hotel rooms, according to Cuban officials who appeared at a Cuba travel summit in March in Cancun, the industry trade journal Travel Weekly reported.
All that's missing is you. Nonstop from Windsor
Americans might not know it, but you can fly nonstop from Windsor, Ontario, to Varadero, Cuba (www.sunwing.ca), during the winter season. Next winter, there also might be flights to Cuba out of London, Ontario.
In fact, Windsor travel agents regularly book Cuba as one of their most popular destinations.
The only catch? It's illegal for Americans to fly to Cuba, no matter where they originate their trip.
Al Valente, owner of Valente Travel in Windsor, says he still has some American customers who vacation in Cuba, but not as many as there used to be since U.S. authorities cracked down a few years ago on Americans who violated the travel ban by flying out of Canada.
Technically, penalties for Americans interacting with Cuba can include 10 years in prison and $55,000 in civil fines. However, a report last fall by the Congressional Research Service found that prosecutions of Americans for violating the ban
'Cheaper than Mexico'
If and when the travel embargo is finally dropped, Valente is ready to welcome U.S. tourists to Cuba. Unlike most American travel agents, he has been there.
Source: Detroit Free Press
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