U.s. Chambers Of Commerce Plan Cuba Trips

The Pismo Beach and Arroyo Grande Chambers of Commerce in the United States are in the process of organising Cuba holidays in September for their members and non-members.

In January 2011, the current U.S. administration authorised the People-to-People exchange programme that allows more U.S. citizens to take cultural or scientific holidays in Cuba and lifted some restrictions on Cuba travel for religious and academic groups.

The two U.S. Chambers of Commerce will travel to the island nation through the same company, Chamber Explorations, a travel company that has been trying to organise a trip to Cuba for the past three years.

“It’s historical on a couple of levels”, said Peter Candela, Arroyo Grande Chamber Chief Executive, noting the United States 50-year-old travel restriction policy towards Cuba. “We don’t know what’s going to come out of it. We want the opportunity to show members and the community what that country is all about.”

Both trips will cost the same: 3,899 USD (£ 2522) per person, including a direct Cuba flight from Los Angeles International Airport, Cuban medical insurance and people-to-people contact with local citizens in their communities.

“For me, it’s a trip-of-a-lifetime kind of thing”, Arroyo Grande Chamber President and CEO Judith Bean said. The Cuba package includes a total of six nights in Havana and two nights in the city of Trinidad, one of the top eco holiday destinations in Cuba, located in the central part of the island and a World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO since 1988.

In January last year President Barack Obama made amendments to make Cuba travel easier for U.S. students, journalists and religious groups, among others. That helped clear the way for future direct charter flights to the Caribbean island from Chicago, Baltimore, Dallas and 12 other cities.

Some U.S. citizens illegally spend holidays in Cuba by travelling via Canada or Mexico. Airlines appear to be getting ready in case U.S. travel restrictions are lifted even more in the coming years.

Through the People-to-People exchange programme, U.S. visitors can have the opportunity to meet locals and be introduced to the Cuban culture. This special project with the Cuba trips planned for September, favouring relationships with the Caribbean nation, especially between families and non-governmental entities, allows travellers to truly experience the inner nature of Cuban culture, history, traditions and society.

By: Susan Crown

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Another milestone has been marked in the development of US tourism in Cuba after the Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce made the decision to sell cultural Cuba holidays to interested locals in the Californian area. Making the most of Obama’s easing of legislations regarding restricted Cuba travel, the Chamber of Commerce has created a fantastic 8-day holiday package to Cuba.