Newly authorized Cuba trips sell out fast, run into controversy

As the walls between Cuba and the USA started to crumble, starting with the Obama administration loosening restrictions on Cuban-Americans visiting home and sending money, a controversy has arisen. Established and respected U.S. tour companies such as upscale Abercrombie & Kent recently began selling cultural tours to bring American vacationers to the Communist island, still off limits to the average tourist. A&K's trips -- due to start late this summer -- and those of Vantage Deluxe World Travel, just to name two, sold out fast and more departures were added. Here's part of what A&K said in its press release touting the trips: "Our guests will discover Cuba at its most intimate, authentic and in complete comfort," explains Abercrombie & Kent USA President, Scott Wiseman. "We have arranged an expedited immigration process on arrival, exclusive accommodations at Cuba's best hotels and a carefully-planned itinerary that includes private access to Hemingway's home, Finca Vigia, for an informative discussion with the curator and local staff involved in restoring the home and its lush surroundings. "Abercrombie & Kent has partnered with the Foundation for Caribbean Studies, a licensed people-to-people non-profit organization, on an itinerary that takes Americans beyond Havana to Trinidad in central Cuba, a Spanish colonial settlement and UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the rural countryside. There is time to explore Cuba's cultural and historical wonders, while meeting local people to talk about daily life in Cuba and to enjoy mojitos, salsa dancing and intimate dinners at paladars (privately-owned restaurants) for a first-hand introduction to Cuba's growing private business sector. "Learn the finer points of tobacco, rum and coffee: the 'triangle' of the Cuban economy. Try your hand at crafting one of Cuba's most enduring icons during a hands-on rolling workshop at a cigar factory, followed by a tour of a working tobacco plantation." Meanwhile, Scott Weiler of Vantage Deluxe World Travel, told USA TODAY weeks ago that "as it became public that things were loosening up (regarding travel to Cuba), that made us think that maybe we could get people into Cuba. .. There's a lot of pent-up demand to see Cuba." Vantage tours -- which involve going in under a religious visa and had participants meeting with Cubans of various faiths -- began selling out also and more were added. Then came a Monday advisory from the U.S. Treasury Department, which controls and licenses travel to the Caribbean island. People-to-people exchanges, certain cultural programs and journalists are allowed. Here's what the advisory said, in part: "The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") is aware of misstatements in the media suggesting that U.S. foreign policy, as implemented by OFAC, now allows for virtually unrestricted group travel to Cuba by persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Although OFAC amended the Cuban Assets Control Regulations ... to expand licensing of travel to Cuba for certain specific purposes, the amended Regulations still contain significant travel restrictions. "OFAC now specifically licenses organizations that sponsor and organize certain educational exchange programs to promote contact with the Cuban people ("People-to-People Groups"), provided that the requirements set forth .. are met. OFAC only licenses People-to-People Groups that certify that all participants will have a full-time schedule of educational exchange activities that will result in meaningful interaction between the travelers and individuals in Cuba. Authorized activities by People-to-People Groups are not 'tourist activities.' " An Abercrombie & Kent spokeswoman issued a statement to USA TODAY that the advisory was construed as throwing trips into question and that "as a result all reservations will remain 'on hold' until such a time as we gain clarity on the regulations for travel to Cuba." Vantage's Weiler could not be reached for comment on whether the advisory is affecting its trips. Asked by USA TODAY to clarify whether it is trying to stop tours such as the A & K offerings, which include some traditional tourist activities, a Treasury Department spokeswoman issued a statement: "Authorized activities by People-to-People Groups are not 'tourist activities' under the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000, which prohibits OFAC from licensing travel-related transactions for tourist activities." RELATED: Cuba's Varadero Beach aims for U.S. tourists Translation: The Treasury Department seems to want to make clear that no one has the impression that Cuba is open for U.S. mass tourism. What do you think? Should things stay as they are? Should Americans gradually ease up on restrictions on U.S. travel, or should U.S. tourists be allowed to visit freely? For more details click here >>>