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President Barack Obama has loosened some Cold
War-era travel restrictions, allowing Americans to visit the
Caribbean island for a range of reasons, such as family visits
or education.
U.S. lawmakers have proposed further easing to permit purely
tourist travel.
Airbnb said on Thursday that after Obama announced the changes,
it saw a 70 percent spike in U.S. searches for rentals in Cuba.
In response, it has added more than 1,000 listings on the
island.
Americans booking stays in Cuba on the site will have to assert
that they have a license from the U.S. government to travel
there.
Airbnb's Cuba services are only open to U.S. travelers, but
could expand to include people from other countries, the company
said.
The National Foreign Trade Council, a lobbying group that pushes
for open international trade, said Airbnb's expansion would help
meet "soaring demand" for lodging in Cuba.
Despite the restrictions, Cuba has been a sought-after
destination for some American travelers, who frequent resorts on
the northern coast. But the island lacks the variety of high-end
hotels of other destinations.
Other U.S. businesses have begun offering services in Cuba.
Kayak, owned by online travel agency Priceline Group Inc, has
added Cuba to its website. And several airlines have said they
are looking into adding flights.
(Reporting by Emily Stephenson and Krista Hughes; Editing by
Susan Heavey and Lisa Von Ahn)
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