Airbnb is a great innovation but its utility is limited by the bizarre and unnecessary restriction by OFAC that people to people is a general license only for groups, not for individuals.

There is a lot of misinterpretation and dissimulation going on which the White House could easily eliminate by clarifying its intentions.

Group tours are great introductions to Cuba but must be supplemented with legal travel by self-organized individuals, families and groups of friends. Conventional land programs are too expensive for most Americans. Cuba Cruise reduces the cost substantially.

However only independent people to people trips will be truly affordable. Travelers could freely stay in casas particulares ($30 - $35 booked outside of airbnb) and use public transportation between cities on Viazul busses.

John McAuliff
Fund for Reconciliation and Development