The National Tour Association Applauds Obama Administration for Easing Travel Restrictions to Cuba
April 14, 2009
Contact:
Sara Spencer
sara.spencer@NTAstaff.com
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The National Tour Association Applauds Obama Administration for Easing Travel Restrictions to Cuba
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The National Tour Association applauds the Obama administration for the decision yesterday to lift the ban on Cuban Americans traveling to Cuba, allowing Cuban Americans to travel freely between the two countries for the first time since 1982. NTA will continue to support the freedom for all Americans to travel to Cuba by supporting related legislation currently in Congress.
"NTA commends President Obama and his team for lifting restrictions on Cuban Americans wishing to visit their families in Cuba," said NTA President Lisa Simon, CTP. "While this is certainly a step in the right direction, NTA will continue to support the right of all Americans to travel to Cuba. Lifting the travel ban to Cuba is long overdue and we look forward to the time when all restrictions are lifted."
Earlier this month, NTA announced its support of The Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act, H.R. 874 and S. 428. The legislation is sponsored by Senators Byron Dorgan, D-North Dakota, and Michael Enzi, R-Wyoming, along with co-sponsors Senator Christopher Dodd, D-Connecticut, and Senator Richard Lugar, R-Indiana. Representatives Bill Delahunt, D-Massachusetts, and Jeff Flake, R-Arizona also are House co-sponsors, in addition to Representative Sam Farr, D-California, co-chair of the House Tourism Caucus and the more than 100 other sponsors.
A new poll by CNN shows that two-thirds of Americans surveyed think the U.S. should lift the travel ban, and three-quarters think the U.S. should end its estrangement with the country. NTA enthusiastically agrees with the findings of this poll and will continue to fight for the freedom to travel by supporting the Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act Team and reaching out to Congress. Re-examination of travel restrictions is part of the association’s advocacy priorities and was included as part of the seven recommendations submitted to President Obama and leaders of Congress as result of a December 2008 summit of travel and tourism organizations.
The National Tour Association is the preferred association in the tourism industry for packaged travel professionals. NTA strives to provide value for its members by advancing the packaged travel industry through its advocacy efforts and progressive leadership. Connecting its members through business development, government relations, professional development and research, NTA has remained committed to serving its members with integrity and quality service since its founding in 1951. Today, the NTA membership represents 40 countries, and includes tour and travel packagers of all types. To learn more about the most important destination for packaged travel professionals, please visit www.NTAonline.com.
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