A US senator has called on the government to escalate business reforms with Cuba to allow US hospitality firms to cash in on the island’s tourism boom.
Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar wants the Obama administration to loosen rules quickly so hotel chains can invest and compete with European hoteliers which have already begun striking deals for new hotels.
Klobuchar is chair of the Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus and wrote to the secretaries of Treasury and Commerce to ensure US companies do not miss out.
It follows the relaxing of rules to allow US airlines to compete for routes to Havana and other Cuban airports.
The first scheduled air services between the countries in more than 50 years are set to resume later this year.
The senator is also a sponsor of legislation which is calling for a rule change to allow more US made goods to be exported to Cuba.
