The Cuban government does not hamper tourists, who run all over the place. You can rent cars, stay in private homes, speak with everyone in your path. Spies everywhere, but they basically just observe. More tourists than spies at this point. With the great numbers of foreign tourists there now, literally millions from every other country but USA, Cuban people are having their eyes opened bigtime. It's ludicrous that they cannot meet Americans on a personal basis.
Cuba is a major travel destination for Canadians, Brits, Germans, everyone but us. We didn't meet a single Cuban -- and we went out of our way to meet all kinds of people -- who didn't welcome us with, literally, open arms. They were thrilled and delighted to meet real live Americans. The good we can do far outweighs other considerations.
"Despite millions of foreign tourists every years Cuba remains a totalitarian state. Canada has acknowledged that its "policy of engagement" has failed to produce any significant change in the human rights situation on the island. Why should American tourists have an impact different from the thousands of Canadians who have been visiting Cuba for years." Pointed out Frank Calzon on February 11, 2002 at the U.S. Senate Subcommittee’s hearings on the U.S. travel ban to Cuba.
Mr. Calzon added:” I would be ironic if in the name of advancing tourist travel, a leader of anti-American violence around the world, a government on the U.S. Department of State's list of sponsor of terrorism, and one of the world's leading violators of human rights were to be bolstered by an infusion of American-tourist dollars." May I also add and the massive infusion of American taxpayer's money.
"Despite millions of foreign tourists every years Cuba remains a totalitarian state. Canada has acknowledged that its "policy of engagement" has failed to produce any significant change in the human rights situation on the island. Why should American tourists have an impact different from the thousands of Canadians who have been visiting Cuba for years." Pointed out Frank Calzon on February 11, 2002 at the U.S. Senate Subcommittee’s hearings on the U.S. travel ban to Cuba.
Mr. Calzon added:” I would be ironic if in the name of advancing tourist travel, a leader of anti-American violence around the world, a government on the U.S. Department of State's list of sponsor of terrorism, and one of the world's leading violators of human rights were to be bolstered by an infusion of American-tourist dollars." May I also add and the massive infusion of American taxpayer's money.