Marriott International says President Donald Trump's
decision to reverse the Obama administration's 2016 decision to allow
individual people-to-people travel in Cuba may alter its expansion plans there.
Other U.S. hotel companies either said they needed more time to
address the situation or were mum on their Cuba plans.
Marriott, the world's largest hotel company, oversees one
hotel in Cuba, and has another in its development pipeline. Last summer,
Starwood Hotels & Resorts, which was acquired by Marriott last September,
reflagged Havana's Hotel Quinta Avenida under its Four Points by Sheraton
brand. It was the first hotel in Cuba to fly the flag of a U.S. brand since the
country's revolution ended in 1959.
Trump's decision and its "full effect on our current
and planned operations in Cuba may depend on related forthcoming regulations,"
Marriott said in a statement. "As Cuba moves to reform its economy in the
post-Castro era, American businesses should be present to lead by example. We will continue to urge the Trump administration
and Congress to recognize and utilize travel as a strategic tool in efforts to
improve relations with Cuba, allowing us to be part of a promising future, as
opposed to reverting to the policies of the past."
Geneva-based Kempinski, which earlier this month opened what
it called Cuba's first five-star luxury hotel in Old Havana's Manzana de Gomez
building, said Friday morning before Trump's announcement that eliminating
individual people-to-people travel "would not be favorable for any kind of
businesses connected to tourism such as cruise ship operators, airlines or
hotel chains."
Contacted by Travel Weekly on Monday, the luxury hotel
operator declined further comment.
Other U.S. hotel operators were less clear about Trump's
impact on plans for Cuba.
"As the first American hotel operator to enter Cuba in
1958, we welcome the opportunity to return to the country to share our culture
of hospitality and exceptional service," said a Hilton spokesman, without
being more specific.
Hyatt declined to comment.
U.S. hotel companies' expansion into Cuba has been limited
to the one Four Points property -- Marriott is also slated to reopen Havana's
83-room Hotel Inglaterra as part of its Luxury Collection.
Meanwhile, Airbnb has been aggressive in Cuba. Since
debuting operations there in April 2015, Airbnb hosts have generated about $40
million from 560,000 guest arrivals, the company said earlier this month.
"Travel from the U.S. to Cuba is an important way to
encourage people-to-people diplomacy," Airbnb said in a statement on
Thursday. "While we are reviewing what this policy could mean for this
type of travel, we appreciate that the policy appears to allow us to continue
to support Airbnb hosts in Cuba who have welcomed travelers from around the
world."