New Poll Finds Most Americans Favor Allowing Travel to Cuba

A new public opinion survey released by Orbitz and Ipsos shows that the overwhelming majority of Americans favor ending the U.S. government's 50-year ban on travel to Cuba. Orbitz also announced the launch of the "OpenCuba.org" campaign, designed to give Americans the opportunity to petition the U.S. Government to open up travel to Cuba.

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"President Obama recently took a bold step in easing travel restrictions for Cuban-Americans," said Barney Harford, president and CEO of Orbitz Worldwide. "The OpenCuba.org campaign calls on the President and Congress to take action to end the travel ban to Cuba, giving all Americans the freedom to visit what once was a premier tourist destination for U.S. citizens.

"Our mission at Orbitz is to help travelers experience the world," continued Harford. "Sixty-seven percent of Americans would also support a policy that would allow U.S. travel agents such as Orbitz to book vacation travel to Cuba."

The OpenCuba.org website gives travelers the opportunity to get directly involved in a grassroots effort to convince American legislators and regulators to end the ban on travel to Cuba. As a focus of the campaign, travelers will be asked to sign a petition calling for an end to the travel ban. Orbitz executives will formally present the petition to U.S. officials in Washington, D.C., later this year.

Every person who signs the petition will receive a $100 coupon redeemable on Orbitz against a vacation to Cuba valid if and when the U.S. government removes the ban on travel to Cuba, and as soon as Orbitz is able to offer such travel on its website.

The OpenCuba.org website also lets Americans write personal letters to President Obama, Vice President Biden, Secretary of State Clinton and members of the U.S. Congress regarding the Cuba travel ban.