Washington, March 9 (RHC)-- U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota, has urged the Barack Obama administration to ease restrictions on investment in Cuba so that U.S. hotel chains can operate in the Caribbean country.

In a letter sent Tuesday to the secretaries of Treasury and Commerce, Klobuchar said regulatory barriers must be removed to ensure the U.S. hospitality industry has a fair shot at competing in this emerging market.

The U.S. senator, who chairs the Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus, is also sponsoring legislation to lift Washington's blockade policy against Cuba, thus allowing increased U.S. exports to the Caribbean state.