BUSINESS
RELATING TO GOVERNMENT
INSIGHTS ON U.S. LEGISLATIVE ISSUES AND INDUSTRY TOPICS
Travel to Cuba has changed
ON JUNE 16, 2017, U.S. President
can be viewed on the State Department’s
While the tightening of travel and
Donald Trump released his National
website (see box). Commercial engage-
trade restrictions with Cuba has cre-
Security Presidential Memorandum on
ments or contracts with these newly
ated some confusion for the tourism
Strengthening the Policy of the United
prohibited entities that were signed
community, the administration has set
States Toward Cuba. This executive order
prior to the administration’s regulatory
some limitations that travel profession-
directed the secretaries of Treasury and
changes will still be authorized.
als will be able to work with. Americans
Commerce, working in coordina-
are still able to travel to Cuba
tion with the secretaries of State
through groups or opera-
and Transportation, to adjust
tors licensed by the Treasury
regulations and end economic
Department for that purpose.
practices that disproportionately
These changes create some level
benefit the Cuban government
of certainty for travelers and
and its military. With this mem-
tour operators alike.
orandum, the president also
While NTA will continue to
sought to ensure adherence to
lobby Congress and the admin-
the statutory ban on tourism to
istration for more open travel
Cuba, among other policy goals.
between the United States and
Following months of planning,
Cuba, the industry will be able
the departments of Treasury,
to continue providing service to
Commerce and State announced
Cuba within these new param-
in November the implementa-
eters. As tour companies shift
tion of changes to the Cuba
their business to align with
trade and travel sanctions. The
these regulatory changes, NTA
United States citizens visiting Cuba will need to comply
Treasury Department’s Office
with new rules for people-to-people travel.
looks forward to continuing
of Foreign Assets Control and
engagement on this issue.
the Commerce Department’s Bureau
As for travel to Cuba, individual people-
of Industry and Security crafted these
to-people nonacademic travel will no
Signal Group is a Washington, D.C.,
changes, which took effect on Nov. 9.
longer be authorized under these new
lobbying firm retained by NTA to advise
For the travel and tourism industry, the
regulations. OFAC now requires that all
members about travel-related issues
most relevant changes to Cuba regulations
travel in that category be guided by an
and legislation.
focus on where Americans can spend
organization subject to U.S. jurisdiction,
money—or with whom they do business
such as a tour operator, and that travel-
For more information
while in Cuba—and on the manner in
ers must be accompanied by a represen-
Follow the abbreviated web addresses
which Americans can travel to the country. tative of the organization. Educational
for additional details:
Regarding financial transactions with
travel must also occur through an orga-
• The full text of the National
Cuban businesses, the State Department nization subject to U.S. jurisdiction, and
Security Presidential Memorandum
on Strengthening the Policy of the
has published a list of businesses and
those groups, too, must be accompanied
United States Toward Cuba:
agencies controlled by the Cuban military,
by an organization’s representative.
bit.ly/2zED0NO
intelligence or security services. Americans
OFAC added a “grandfathering” pro-
• The State Department’s list of
are now prohibited from engaging in direct
vision for tourists who had already
restricted entities and subentities
financial transactions with the entities on
booked people-to-people travel. Their
associated with Cuba:
bit.ly/2zGdDhZ
this list, many of which are hotels, tourist
trips will still be authorized if they had
agencies, marinas and shops, along with already completed at least one travel-
• Frequently asked questions about
the list: bit.ly/2Au7Uw0
other Cuban businesses.
related transaction, such as purchasing
The Cuba Restricted List, which will
a flight or reserving a hotel room, prior
• Fact sheet: bit.ly/2iE39VA
be periodically updated when necessary,
to June 16, 2017.
NTAonline.com
9