If you were thinking about booking an island getaway to Cuba, you may have to put your travel plans on hold. On Tuesday, the Trump administration placed further restrictions on the ability of U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba.
When the change was first announced, it sounded like travel to Cuba would be next to impossible. Fortunately, there are still a few ways you can visit. Here’s a breakdown of the new U.S. Cuba travel policy and what it means for you.
THE FACTS
Since the Obama administration eased travel restrictions back in 2014, over 2 million Americans have visited Cuba. They also introduced 12 categories of authorized travel, the most common being people to people educational travel. That category has now been eliminated.
Additionally, all cruises offering trips to Cuba have cancelled those routes. Although the administration said that trips booked prior to the policy change would be allowed, the cruise companies decided to cease operation all together and sail to alternate ports of call. This change impacts over 800,000 travelers who had booked cruises to Cuba.
Despite the elimination of the people to people travel category and cruises to Cuba, all hope is not lost. You CAN still travel under the support for the Cuban people category as well as the other 12 categories so long as you maintain a full time schedule and demonstrate that your activities benefit locals and not the Cuban government.
Some examples include staying at a local bed and breakfast, taking part in a private tour guided by locals and dining at local restaurants. You must also maintain documentation of your activities for 5 years upon returning to the States.
You can read the government’s press release to learn more about these changes here.
WHO IT IMPACTS
The Cuban People
Sadly, the group most harmed by this policy change will be the people of Cuba. Thousands of entrepreneurs, local tour companies, guides and small businesses depend on U.S. tourism dollars to make a living. In their effort to send a message the Cuban government, the Trump administration’s actions will cause greater suffering for the Cuban people by impeding economic opportunities and choking tourism dollars that many depend on.
U.S. Citizens
Aside from the Cuban people, the second largest group effected by this change are American travelers wishing to visit the island nation.
The good news is that if you had travel plans booked prior to June 4th that fall under an authorized category, your tickets will be honored and you will still be allowed to travel. Unfortunately, this does not apply to cruises.
For those who were contemplating a trip to Cuba, you’ll just have to make sure you meet one of the 12 authorized travel categories, most likely support for the Cuban people, and that your itinerary includes activities that benefit the government – for example, staying in government owned hotels. You’ll also have to preserve documentation of your activities for 5 years after your trip.
Airlines & Cruises
As of now, commercial air travel is still allowed. But as the number of Americans traveling to Cuba inevitably dwindles, it is unclear how long airlines will be able to sustain those routes.
In response to the hastily announced policy change, Cruise lines were forced to scramble to adjust. The result was that all cruises to Cuba were cancelled, effective immediately, and passengers who booked cruises to Cuba were issued refunds or credit.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
If these new restrictive policies upset you as much as they do me, the most important thing you can do is VOTE! The reality is, until this administration is replaced, this policy will stand.
The second thing you can do is continue to travel to Cuba. It won’t be as easy, but it is still possible and is more important now than ever.
What are your thoughts about the United States’ new Cuba travel policy? Share your comments below!
PIN IT!
No Comments