Major U.S. hotel chains are showing increasing interested in Cuba, with executives from Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide, and Carlson Hospitality Group among those who have spoken with Cuban officials, reports Reuters.
U.S. hoteliers are not currently allowed to invest in Cuba, and the island remains a restricted area for many U.S. tourists, with few exceptions. Still, 106,000 Americans have visited the island so far this year, while only 91,254 visited in all of 2014.
Right now, foreign companies must partner with a Cuban entity to do business there, so U.S. hoteliers expect the same requirements if and when restrictions are eased. However, the article notes that it is unlikely U.S. hotels would be an easy build if sanctions were lifted, as Cuba is typically slow to approve foreign investment projects.
