Orbitz gets on campaign trail to open travel to Cuba for Americans

As President Obama's administration considers lifting the ban on travel to Cuba for Americans (this poll on The Times' "Opinion L.A." blog shows sentiment leaning toward lifting the ban), travel companies have started to get on board.

Orbitz, the online travel company, has launched its own "Open Cuba" campaign asking for the travel ban to be lifted.

From the site's mission statement:

"Orbitz believes that Americans should have the freedom to travel the world, because our journeys lead to cross cultural understanding and stronger ties between citizens of all nations. The beaches of Cuba were once a premier Caribbean tourism destination for Americans, and they can be once again!"

The company and IPSOS carried out a survey on American views on the issue and report that 67% of Americans favor allowing Americans to travel to Cuba, and that 72% feel that expanding U.S. travel to Cuba would positively impact the lives of the Cuban people.

Not to mention that opening travel could help Orbitz's bottom line.

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City

Comments

[Michael Burny]

Way to go Barney Harford! Everyone in the Democrat Party enthusiastically supports your efforts to make money in Cuba! Maybe you could get Obama and Congress to allocate money for more Cuban prisons, to get even more of those pesky Cuban political dissidents off the streets, and into solitary confinement where they belong. You know, those Cuban dissidents who commit such horrendous crimes as criticizing Fidel Castro, or circulating petitions amongst their fellow Cubans - these outrageous political acts will be history with your help. Perhaps you could run a promotion where Orbitz contributes $25 towards Castro's political prisons for each ticket you can eventually sell to Cuba. We need many more CEO's with your brand of moral leadership!

[Conrado Dominguez]

Despite the obvious intentions of ORBITZ, I agree the travel ban to Cuba should be lifted.
Other than safety, health and war conditions, the goverment dhould have no business restricting travel of its' citiens.
That said, I fail to see how US citizens visiting secluded resorts, sipping "mojitos" and enjoying food that is not available to the native population, will increase any "cross cultural understanding" between Americans and Cubans.
If the travel ban is lifted,by all means, go and visit Cuba.
Visit the large cities and enjoy the countriide also; mingle with the common citizens and enjoy their charm, generosity and hospitaility.
And if you are capable - during your limited visit - to set aside the political barrage of lies, spewed by both the US and Cuban sides, then and only then you will return "culturally enriched".
On a practial note, be aware your hard earned dollar will be worth $0.75 and prices will be high, despite ORBITZ.

Conrado