US Tourism To Cuba Prohibited Despite New Rules

As the US moved to ease travel and other restrictions to Cuba, Americans will still not be allowed to go to the Communist nation for "tourist activities."

Speaking to reporters, senior Obama administration officials said such travel remains prohibited even as the regulations expand to allow family members to travel alongside authorised travellers for a wider variety of activities.

Overall, the US officials also said that the full impact of latest easing of all Cuba restrictions will depend on whether the Cuban government makes reforms, including on imports.

Asked about the banking rules for those authorised travellers now allowed to open accounts in Cuba, US officials said it is up to Havana to decide what currency they allow for such transactions.