Ban on Cuban travel an endangered species?

Despite a long-standing ban, thousands of US tourists travel to Cuba behind Washington's back.

This hidden travel is among reasons US presidential hopeful Barack Obama says he wants to lift sanctions against travel to Cuba. Growing numbers of US Senators and Representatives agree.

Traveling to Cuba is not illegal for Americans but provisions of the "Trading With the Enemy Act" prohibit spending money there without authorization. If caught, unauthorized US tourists can face civil fines of up to US$55,000, though many settle for smaller amounts.

The U.S. Treasury Department issued 40,308 licenses for family travel last year, almost all to Cuban Americans, and the Cuban government counts these travelers as Cubans, not Americans.

And what about when Fidel Castro leaves the scene? Speculation is that the US government would then scrap the travel ban and bring some significant changes to Cuba.

The American Society of Travel Agents recently estimated that nearly 1.8 million Americans would visit in the first three years following an end to the travel ban.

We have it on good authority that the cruise lines are poised and ready for Cuba to open up as well. A significant infastructure to support Cuba as a port is already in place.