Washington, Dec 29, (RHC), -- The recent announcement to begin a process of normalization of relations between the US and Cuba arouses great interest among Americans wishing to visit the Caribbean island, according to tourism professionals in the US.

Several US tour operators have commented on the market reaction to a possible relaxation of restrictions on Cuba travel, following recent announcements by President Barack Obama.

"The response has been overwhelming," said Tom Popper, president of Insight Cuba, an organization that provides trips to the island since 2000.

"We are inundated with requests. We have never seen anything like it," he added.

Under the new measures, a general license covering several coded categories will be established, something, that according to tour operators, will allow more Americans to visit the island.

For the vice president of Marazul Charters, Bob Guild, an agency based in Miami that organizes trips to Cuba, it is still unclear how the announced changes regarding the visits of US citizens will be implemented.

“Everyone is waiting to see what the Treasury Department will eventually decide,” Guild also stressed.

Marazul Charters evaluated as a positive step that under these new measures, American visitors will be allowed to import up to $400 in Cuban goods, including up to 100 in Cuban cigars and alcohol combined.

"It's a change in the right direction," the company said in a statement.