The Irish Travel Agents Association has advised those with plans or currently in Cuba to contact their ITAA travel agent immediately and follow guidance of The Department of Foreign Affairs, upgraded last week to Avoid Non-Essential Travel..
Clare Dunne CEO of the ITAA recommended reviewing the advice and consulting agents and insurance providers before bookings.
The advisory typically voids travel insurance coverage for the destination. November to March represents peak season for Cuba though Irish travel has declined due to limited connectivity and ESTA ineligibility requiring US Embassy visas. Few if any Irish holidaymakers are currently in Cuba.
The ITAA urged prospective travellers to verify arrangements promptly. The advice reflects current conditions on the Caribbean island. Agents remain available for support and updates.
Clare Dunne shared “I would strongly recommend that anyone thinking of traveling to Cuba should read the Department of Foreign Affairs travel advice and check with their ITAA travel agent before making any bookings. The ITAA advice to any prospective Irish travellers who may have already booked a holiday to Cuba is to immediately check with both your travel agent and your travel insurance. When the DFA advise to Avoid Essential Travel to a particular country, Cuba in this instance, it usually means that the travel insurance policy will not cover travel to that country. November to March is normally the best time to travel to Cuba. However, the number of Irish citizens who travel from Ireland to Cuba has declined over the past few years and is now very low. This is mainly down to two reasons – connectivity to Cuba from Ireland is very limited and secondly, travellers who travel to Cuba are not then eligible to apply for an ESTA to visit the USA and must instead apply to the US Embassy for an entry visa.”
