BOOKING.COM TO LAUNCH IN CUBA

Posted on 03/22/2016 | About Cuba

Booking.com, which is part of The Priceline Group, has announced that it will become the first online US travel brand to offer instantly bookable hotel properties for certain US citizens travelling to Cuba.

The company's move follows the recent loosening of restrictions for US travellers to Cuba and means that Cuba will soon become instantly bookable for US travellers that meet the criteria currently approved by the US government. At the outset, properties will be available in Havana and American consumers can book instantly and avoid the need to rely on a property owner to respond to and accept a travel request. Plans are in place to increase the number of properties in Havana and beyond."Cuba is a beautiful, culture-rich country that many travellers are keen to visit," says Todd Dunlap, managing director, Americas, Booking.com. "At Booking.com, we are on a constant mission to bring our customers everything they want to help them experience the world. With the news of the easing of US travel restrictions, we began working immediately with the local Cuban government, tourism authorities and our local hotel partners to launch the first platform to allow travellers to book and confirm instantly with the click of a button. “They have been great partners for us on this journey and we are thrilled to be able to facilitate new experiences for US travellers."