Starwood, Marriott, Individual Travelers Line Up As Tourism Floodgates Open In Cuba

Photo courtesy: Christopher L.

The gates to Cuba seem about to open as President Obama readies for his three-day trip to Havana next week.

The president is expected to announce that Americans will be allowed to travel to Cuba independently, rather than in groups, and that several U.S. companies will launch projects in Cuba. Among them are Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Marriott International, both looking to close deals in Cuba, Reuters reported, citing a source familiar with the discussions.

Starwood applied for a license from the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control; expected to be finalized within the coming days, it will allow Starwood to do business on the island despite the 50-year-old embargo that bans general tourism.

Marriott also expects to get the green light from the U.S. government, according to a spokesperson.

Earlier this month, six of the largest U.S. airlines submitted applications to fly commercial flights to Cuba.