国际英语资讯:Feature: U.S. visitors disappointed with Trump measures as last cruise leaves Cuba_时事

国际英语资讯:Feature: U.S. visitors disappointed with Trump measures as last cruise leaves Cuba

People-to-people educational travel was a category created by the Obama administration to allow Americans to visit the island nation on organized tours that promoted cultural exchanges.

"We came to Cuba on what became the last cruise ship to visit Havana. It's very disappointing. The Cuban people are very friendly. We actually learned a lot during this trip and engaged with locals," Brian Mock, one of the last U.S. citizens to board the cruise ship, told Xinhua.

According to the new regulations, U.S. citizens can still visit the island country with the other 11 licenses, including academic, scientific, humanitarian and religious purposes, among others, but they have to provide evidence of staying at privately-owned hotels, eating at privately-owned restaurants and so on.

The U.S. Department of Treasury can request documentation of such activities for up to five years.

Different organizations, which support engagement with Havana, criticized Washington's decision to further roll back bilateral ties.

"For decades, the U.S. has placed restrictions on trade and travel with Cuba in an attempt to overthrow the government. The policy has failed miserably, causing widespread hardship for the Cuban people and leading to no political change on the island," said Collin Laverty, president of Cuba Education Travel, a U.S.-based company that brings travelers to the Caribbean nation.

According to the Cuban Ministry of Tourism, 257,500 U.S. citizens, not including those of Cuban origin, visited the Caribbean nation from January to March, 55 percent of whom arrived on cruise ships.