Two Thirds of U.S. Adults Polled Favor Allowing All Americans to Travel to Cuba

New York, NY - More than two thirds of adult Americans (67%) say that they would support a policy that would allow all Americans to travel to Cuba, according to a new study conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs on behalf of Orbitz. In fact, nearly a third (32%) would strongly support such a policy, while 35% would somewhat support it. Just two in ten (23%) say that they would oppose lifting these travel restrictions (10% somewhat oppose, 13% strongly oppose).

Majorities believe that such a policy would benefit the Cuban people, as nearly three quarters (72%) agree that expanding travel and tourism from the U.S. to Cuba would have a positive impact on the day-to-day lives of the Cuban people. Just 20% feel that allowing Americans to travel to Cuba would not positively impact Cubans in this way.

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted April 23rd - 27th, 2009. For the survey, a nationally representative sample of 1,000 randomly-selected adults aged 18 and over residing in the U.S. was interviewed by telephone via Ipsos' U.S. Telephone Express omnibus. With a sample of this size, the results are considered accurate within 1773.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire population of adults in the U.S. been polled. The margin of error will be larger within regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population. These data were weighted to ensure the sample's regional and age/gender composition reflects that of the actual U.S. population according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Booking Travel to Cuba...

Two thirds of Americans (67%) would support a policy that would allow travel agents to book vacation travel to Cuba, mirroring the level of support for lifting the travel ban. Less than a quarter (23%) would oppose allowing travel agents to do so.

Similarly, more than six in ten (63%) Americans agree that it should be legal for online travel sites, such as Orbitz.com, to book travel to Cuba.

Most Feel Orbitz.com Should Encourage the Government to Lift the Travel Ban

Nearly two thirds of Americans (64%) say that Orbitz.com should play an active role to persuade elected officials to give all Americans the freedom to travel to Cuba. Less than three in ten (28%) disagree, preferring that Orbitz.com not encourage the government to lift the travel restrictions.

For more information on this news release, please contact: Nicolas Boyon Senior Vice President Ipsos Public Affairs 646.364.7583 [email protected]

About Ipsos

Ipsos is a leading global survey-based market research company, owned and managed by research professionals that helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and responses of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world. Member companies assess market potential and interpret market trends to develop and test emergent or existing products or services, and build brands. They also test advertising and study audience responses to various media, and measure public opinion around the globe.

They help clients create long-term relationships with their customers, stakeholders or other constituencies. Ipsos member companies offer expertise in advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, and public affairs research, as well as forecasting, modeling, and consulting and offers a full line of custom, syndicated, omnibus, panel, and online research products and services, guided by industry experts and bolstered by advanced analytics and methodologies. The company was founded in 1975 and has been publicly traded since 1999. In 2008, Ipsos generated global revenues of e979.3 million ($1.34 billion U.S.). Visit www.ipsos.com to learn more about Ipsos offerings and capabilities.