U.S. Lawmakers Keep Pushing for Cuba Travel

Wyoming Senator Mike Enzi with nine other Republican and Democratic senators recently introduced a piece of legislation that would allow business and leisure visits to Cuba.

If the bill wins passage and becomes law, any U.S. travel agent will be able to book transportation, accommodations and other necessary services for visits to Cuba. The use of US credit cards and other forms of in-country payment would also be permitted.

“It is time for a different policy –one that goes further than embargoes and replaces a restrictive and confusing travel policy with a new one,” Senator Enzi said.

Charles Rangel, chair of the Ways and Means Committee, and Jeff Flake (R-AZ), introduced a similar legislation (HR 654), in the House of Representatives in January. It has obtained 76 Republican and Democratic cosponsors to date.

Both bills have received praise from various organizations. U.S. travel agents have in the past said the potential market of Cuba as a destination for U.S. tourists is significant. A recent AP poll found that 18 percent of Americans would be “very interested” and 22 percent “somewhat interested” in going to Cuba on vacation.