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US authorizes Airbnb to let travelers book Cuba stays in private homes US authorizes Airbnb to let travelers book Cuba stays in private homes
(6 months later)
Airbnb announced on Sunday that it is now allowing travelers from around the world to book stays in private homes in Cuba, after the San Francisco-based company received a special authorization from the Obama administration.Airbnb announced on Sunday that it is now allowing travelers from around the world to book stays in private homes in Cuba, after the San Francisco-based company received a special authorization from the Obama administration.
Related: Obama’s Cuba visit is latest step towards ‘new alliance of the Americas’
Airbnb was the first major US company to enter Cuba after Barack Obama and Raúl Castro declared detente on 17 December 2014. The service handles online listing, booking and payments for people looking to stay in private homes instead of hotels.Airbnb was the first major US company to enter Cuba after Barack Obama and Raúl Castro declared detente on 17 December 2014. The service handles online listing, booking and payments for people looking to stay in private homes instead of hotels.
Cuba has become its fastest-growing market, with about 4,000 homes added over the last year.Cuba has become its fastest-growing market, with about 4,000 homes added over the last year.
Airbnb had only been allowed to let US travelers use its services in Cuba under a relatively limited Obama administration exception to the half-century US trade embargo on the island.Airbnb had only been allowed to let US travelers use its services in Cuba under a relatively limited Obama administration exception to the half-century US trade embargo on the island.
The expansion of that license gives Airbnb the ability to become a one-stop shop for travelers seeking lodging in private homes.The expansion of that license gives Airbnb the ability to become a one-stop shop for travelers seeking lodging in private homes.
Airbnb’s authorization was announced on the morning of a historic three-day trip by Obama to Cuba and a day after Starwood Hotels announced that it had signed a deal to run three Cuban hotels, becoming the first US hotel company in Cuba since Fidel Castro took power in 1959.Airbnb’s authorization was announced on the morning of a historic three-day trip by Obama to Cuba and a day after Starwood Hotels announced that it had signed a deal to run three Cuban hotels, becoming the first US hotel company in Cuba since Fidel Castro took power in 1959.
Airbnb said world travelers could begin booking in Cuba in 2 April, the anniversary of the country’s start of operations on the island.Airbnb said world travelers could begin booking in Cuba in 2 April, the anniversary of the country’s start of operations on the island.
Related: US-Cuba relations: timeline of a tangled history
All hotels in Cuba are owned by government agencies and many are known for poor service and decrepit infrastructure. Foreign chains operate some of the island’s larger and more luxurious hotels, which are running at full capacity thanks to a post-detente boom in tourism that saw visitor numbers surge nearly 20% last year.All hotels in Cuba are owned by government agencies and many are known for poor service and decrepit infrastructure. Foreign chains operate some of the island’s larger and more luxurious hotels, which are running at full capacity thanks to a post-detente boom in tourism that saw visitor numbers surge nearly 20% last year.
One of the first openings in Cuba’s centrally planned economy came when the government allowed families to rent rooms in their homes for a few dollars a night, starting in the 1990s. That has become a full-blown private hospitality industry, with many Cubans using capital from relatives abroad and even foreign investors to transform crumbling homes into the equivalents of small boutique hotels.One of the first openings in Cuba’s centrally planned economy came when the government allowed families to rent rooms in their homes for a few dollars a night, starting in the 1990s. That has become a full-blown private hospitality industry, with many Cubans using capital from relatives abroad and even foreign investors to transform crumbling homes into the equivalents of small boutique hotels.
Many websites allow foreigners to book Cuban private homes, known as “casas particulares”, but none has emerged as a dominant player. Many travelers still find it hard to guarantee bookings and make electronic or credit card payments.Many websites allow foreigners to book Cuban private homes, known as “casas particulares”, but none has emerged as a dominant player. Many travelers still find it hard to guarantee bookings and make electronic or credit card payments.
Airbnb is promoting its service as a solution to those problems in Cuba.Airbnb is promoting its service as a solution to those problems in Cuba.