US-based airlines and cruiselines may lose up to $3.5bn should President Donald J. Trump choose to curtail liberalised travel policies between the US and Cuba, according to non-profit coalition Engage Cuba.

In an economic impact report released yesterday, economists, businesses and Cuba experts claim that a possible reversal in US-Cuba diplomatic policy – as reported by a number of US media outlets – could cost the US economy $6.6bn.

[However, it is important to note that currently no new policy has been announced that points to a potential reconfiguration of the lifted embargo on travel].

ANNOUNCEMENT ‘AS EARLY AS JUNE’

The New York Times and CNN suggest Trump is considering a U-turn on the Obama administration’s landmark restoration of full diplomatic relations, which included the easing of restrictions on travel.

This permits travel to the country under 12 designated categories authorised by the US Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control that allows travel operators to transport approved travellers to Cuba.

In effect, this means travellers must justify their reasons for travel in accordance with the 12 categories.

Referencing aides close to the Trump administration, The New York Times claims that Trump wants to announce changes in Miami as early as June, but a final decision has stalled due to ‘internal disagreements’ over the reversal of what was considered a significant foreign policy achievement for Obama.

A number of US-based carriers operate routes to Havana, including American, United, Spirit, Delta and Southwest.

Carnival Cruise Lines has also already indicated its intention to extend its cruise itineraries to the island this Summer, while rivals Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and Royal Caribbean International also operate scheduled trips to the island.

In addition, US travel giants AirBnB, Expedia and Tripadvisor now offer services to Cuba.

RURAL COMMUNITY THREAT

Engage Cuba points to the ‘significant economic activity’ generated within the US travel and tourism industry affected by six rounds of regulatory changes by the Obama regime since December 2014.

In turn, it says that rural Cuban communities across the island reliant on agriculture, manufacturing and shipping would be ‘disproportionately affected by adding regulations on travel and trade’.

President of Engage Cuba, James Williams added: “Reimposing restrictions on travelling to Cuba would force Americans to jump through even more bureaucratic hoops to exercise their right to travel freely.”