President Barack Obama and Cuban head of state Raúl Castro announced in December they would take steps to restore diplomatic relations for the first time since 1961. The U.S. eased travel restrictions somewhat, though the embargo has yet to be lifted and outright tourism remains forbidden.
Even so, U.S. tourism to the island is expected to grow, according to the Associated Press.
Some opponents to the Castro regime insist that traveling to Cuba does nothing more than prop up the Communist government with tourist dollars. But to much of the rest of the world, Cuba is just another country and visiting it doesn’t imply a breech of ethics. On top of that, Cuba’s unique history has left it somewhat paralyzed in time and walking around Havana or Trinidad is a truly unique experience for any visitor.
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To be able to go to Cuba, Americans don’t need to ask for permission but they still need to look over the rules and see if the qualify for any of the 12 categories of travel permitted under a “general license.”
“As long as with integrity they can say they’re going to engage with the Cuban people and learn about Cuba and talk about the United States then they don’t have to do anything other than say that’s what they’re doing,” John McAuliff, executive director of the Fund for Reconciliation and Development, told the Associated Press. The restrictions make visiting the island an even more unusual experience.
