Maryland, County Leaders Fly To Cuba To Create Tourism Ties
LINTHICUM, Md. (WJZ) -- Sixty years is a long time to wait for a flight, but the first non-stop between BWI-Marshall and Havana takes off Wednesday.
Alex DeMetrick reports it's more than history-making: it's potentially money-making.
This summer, before Cuba raised its flag at its embassy in Washington and before the US raised its flag at its embassy in Havana, word came in the spring that BWI was cleared for flights to Cuba.
"I think that's fantastic for international relations," one traveler said.
A thaw in Cold War restrictions is also promising better economic relations. For Maryland, doing business in Cuba is now only a three hour nonstop away.
"It is essentially the land where time stood still for the past 60 years and we see huge economic opportunity," said Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh.
Schuh is taking a delegation on the first charter flight to Havana on Wednesday. The potential for tourism, the hospitality industry and gaming will be explored.
And for the Cuban people...
"They now have the opportunity to join the world economy and be part of a growth opportunity for their society is wonderful," Schuh said.
And out of this small office in Annapolis, a woman born in Cuba is tapping into the travel potential.
"Right now, it's a lot of government officials interested in travel to Cuba. Businessmen and also universities, schools, churches," said Adalen Still.
It's still not to the point where you just buy a ticket and go as a tourist. Visas must be arranged and itineraries approved for specific destinations.
Right now, BWI is one of only 19 airports in the US cleared to fly to Cuba and that has money-making potential.
"And one of the reasons we're going is to showcase that incredible asset," Schuh said.
"I think it will be very, very lucrative. It's possible. It's legal," Still said. "Anybody can go and they just have to book a plane."
At present, only charter flights will travel between BWI and Havana, flying on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
