Turnaround time for Cuban tourists
Just as the US has loosened travel restrictions for its citizens, Cubans now will be allowed to travel abroad as tourists for the first time in more than 50 years, according to Raul Castro’s regime.
"Study a policy that allows Cubans living in the country to travel abroad as tourists," read one of the bullet-points on a government document listing 313 reforms approved at a rare Communist Party Congress, said AFP.
No specific details were revealed but that is a drastic change for the country.
The document gave no further detail on the travel policy or a date at which it would be implemented, but it was seen as an official decision by the Castro regime to authorize foreign travel as part of a series of landmark reforms.
Travel abroad is not banned outright, but bureaucratic problems prevent most Cubans from leaving. A US$150 fee, for example, is required to leave the island — which is a lot of money in poverty-stricken Cuba.
Until now, travel outside Cuba has been limited mainly to artists and athletes, and a small number of business people.
The move is generally viewed as Cuba’s attempt to foster more travel to boost its long-ailing economy.
By David Wilkening
David
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