Cuba, one of the hottest destinations in the Caribbean a few years ago, has been quiet recently due to U.S. regulations and the Pandemic-era rules.
As operators prepare their programs for Americans, optimism is high.
Goldman was a person.
Friendly Planet and InsightCuba, which specialize in legal travel itineraries to Cuba, will be restarting operations in March after a two year hiatus. Friendly Planet founder and president Peggy Goldman said earlier this month that the company has not yet started promotional efforts in earnest for Cuba, but it is seeing a small number of bookings each week.
Goldman is going to Cuba to check in with accommodations and make sure that everything is ready for travelers.
Goldman said that they are ready to begin tours to Cuba in March if everything is in order. We can't wait.
"After we begin our marketing programs, I have no doubt that bookings for Cuba will begin to build as they always have in the past years."
Cuba restricts unvaccinated travelers.
There are vaccines and optimism.
Cuba is the second-most vaccine-vaccinated country in the world, with almost all of the population receiving at least one dose of the country's vaccine. The island nation of 11 million people created five vaccines, two of which have been sold abroad and are awaiting World Health Organization approval for further use.
The Pre School for Disadvantaged Youth is in Old Havana. The photo is from Cultural Cuba.
The first case of omicron was detected in Cuba on December 8, and the Ministry of Public Health has accelerated the process of administering booster shots.
Travel industry experts are optimistic about Cuba travel. At this point in the Pandemic, there are two kinds of people emerging from the disappointment of canceled plans: those who just stay home and those who go on with their travel plans.
David Lee.
David Lee is the owner and founder of Cultural Cuba, a destination management company that provides private luxury travel itineraries to Cuba. Cuba's reopening of its borders on Nov. 15 has led to a rise in tourism interest and bookings.
Some clients have already been there. Lee said it was still a trickle. He was surprised by the number of bookings that came in after the reopening. Things are starting to happen after many more came over New Year's. Is it as fast as we want? No. The omicron thing hasn't helped.
There are protocols and plans.
The Support for Cuban People license requires a busy schedule of cultural and educational touring and regular contact with Cubans, which is why most U.S. travelers abide by it. American tourists are not allowed to stay at the island's sun-and-Fun beach destinations.
Operators pointed to the high vaccination rates and stringent mask mandates as reasons why interest is up. The island tightened entry requirements this month and now requires visitors to be 13 and up to show proof of vaccinations and have a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours of arrival.
Operators have set their own safety rules for their clients.
Friendly Planet, InsightCuba, and Cultural Cuba only accept guests who are fully vaccine and boosted. Travelers who test positive for Covid will be covered for full room, board and medical care in a special clinic for foreigners.
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