All Things Travel: Flights To Havana Mean Shift In Caribbean Tourism
BOSTON (CBS) – Changes are in the air for Caribbean travel for next winter.
The government Transportation Department has given tentative approval for 20 daily flights a week from to Havana by eight airlines starting late this year for the winter season.
It will be the first U.S. airline service to the island in more than 50 years.
JetBlue did not win a route from Boston to Cuba, but the airline will offer good connecting service through Fort Lauderdale and New York. Tourism officials said that about 13,000 people from New England visit Cuba annually.
A total of about 3.5 million people visited Cuba last year, most staying at properties developed by European companies. U.S. hotel companies like Marriott are seeking permission to build on the island, now that restrictions have been lifted.
One of the major problems facing Cuba now is a shortage of hotel rooms for American visitors.
Still, Boston tourists are expected to benefit from the new Cuba service.
Larger islands like Puerto Rico, which have experienced financial problems, will most likely reduce prices because of more competition. JetBlue offers daily flights from Boston to San Juan.
Smaller, less known, islands like the French West Indies may also step-up hotel deals because of the strong American dollar.
Low cost carrier Norwegian Air has announced that they will again offer seasonal flights to Guadalupe and Martinique.
The fact that many Caribbean smaller islands have all-inclusive hotels and non-stop flights from Boston is another plus for Boston travelers.
Delta will offer Havana flights daily from JFK Airport; and United also will have daily service from Newark under the proposed agreement.
American Airlines won multiple flights from its Miami hub and will also fly to Havana from Charlotte, North Carolina.
Interested parties have until July 22 to make comments to the DOT about the proposed airline routes.
Bob Weiss reports on business travel on Mondays at 5:55 a.m. on WBZ NewsRadio 1030.