MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

US travellers to Cuba drops drastically

The number of United States travellers to Cuba has dropped drastically over the past year reported Monday the Miami press.

The 60% reduction is a direct consequence of tougher restrictions imposed on dealings with the island by President George W. Bush's administration to "promote a democratic transition on the island", the El Nuevo Herald newspaper said.

For Cuba the fall in the number of visitors from the US translates into a reduction of 95 million US dollars in revenue, but also has a cost for U.S.-based airlines and travel businesses money, adds the newspaper.

In the past 12 months, according to official figures, some 55,000 people travelled from the United States to Cuba, about 35.7% of the number that had been visiting the island annually before the travel restrictions imposed June 30, 2004.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issues specific licenses to Cubans living in the United States, who are allowed to visit relatives in Cuba once every three years.

Since the restrictions became effective, OFAC has processed more than 30,000 travel permit applications of which 20,000 were approved and the rest rejected.

The US-Cuba Trade and Economic Council estimates some 154,000 people travelled legally to Cuba in 2003, some 85% for family reasons.

About 23,000 travelled to the island under specific licenses for business, religious functions, cultural and sports exchanges, and as members of humanitarian groups.