US travel restrictions that took effect this summer have had a major impact on Cuba, which reports a visitor drop of 25%, according to Cuba’s tourism minister.
“We are hoping for recovery after November,” Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero said at a news conference, referring to the upcoming election.
US President George W. Bush, apparently seeking to court the Cuban vote, tightened travel restrictions in late June.
His opponent in the US election, John Kerry, says he generally supports the US embargo against Cuba but has been quoted as saying if elected he would review the policy.
Visitors to Cuba still break the new rules by going there through third countries such as Mexico and the Bahamas.
Report by David Wilkening
