US issuing licenses for increased Cuba travel

[Judi Lynn]

US issuing licenses for increased Cuba travel
July 1, 2011 9:19 PM

(AP) HAVANA (AP) — Washington has begun issuing travel licenses that promise to bring thousands more U.S. visitors each year on legal trips to Cuba.

A U.S. Treasury Department spokesperson says nine groups have been granted permission to operate so-called people-to-people exchanges since May.

The spokesperson said Friday that about 10 applications are coming in each week, and officials are reviewing them.

The spokesperson was not authorized to be quoted by name on the matter.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/07/01/ap/latinamerica/main20076280.shtml

[flamingdem]

1. wow. Finally, took forever for that to start

Just maybe the Diaz-Balart move put some fire under this.

I'm 100% for opening travel and ending the embargo, of course, but I do remember how Havana changed in 2000-2002 when Americans rolled in on cruise shops and big groups - when people to people exchange opened up - it was quickly shut down in 2003. I was not used to hearing English spoken before that so much.

Anyway, if any of you haven't been and want to check out Havana before it really changes and becomes another homogenized tourist spot I urge you to go soon.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Sure hope they already have a good idea of what has been planned in Miami

at FIU, etc., and are going to be prepared to protect their own country from scheming US corporations. It would be loathsome to see it get homogenized. The world needs some clean zones, free of corporate depersonalization.

http://www.danheller.com.nyud.net:8090/images/LatinAmerica/Cuba/People/Men/McShit-big.jpg
On edit, should mention I saw this photo years ago at another message board, posted by message board wiz, stunning message board presence, Say_What. Have loved it ever since.