Travel Roundup: Obama and Cuba, Nickelodeon Quits Holiday Inn, Travel Agent Arrested and More

(MoneyWatch)  Obama could ease Cuba travel sanctions -- While President-Elect Barack Obama said he favors relaxing restrictions on family travel and sending money to relatives in Cuba, experts say he will stop short of lifting 1962 trade and travel embargoes that ban all Americans from traveling to the country. A November poll of Cuban Americans in Miami showed 55 percent were in favor of lifting the embargoes and a letter from a coalition of businesses called USA*Engage asked for a new trade and travel policy. Another group recommends lifting travel restrictions so American tourists can spread democracy. However, lifting the ban would require an act of Congress, which may not be politically viable. [Source: Reuters]

Nickelodeon breaks with Holiday Inn -- The Nickelodeon Family Suites hotel near Walt Disney World broke ties to Holiday Inn and will now operate as an independent brand. Management of the hotel said that it had cultivated a unique customer base and no longer needs the Holiday Inn brand and will officially end the five-year partnership on Jan. 5. The hotel is affiliated with the Nickelodeon cable TV channel and uses its cartoon characters, like Spongebob Squarepants, in its family-oriented and kid-friendly activities. [Source: Orlando Business Journal]

Travel agent arrested for selling fake plane tickets-- A woman who operated a Sweetwater, Fla. travel agency was jailed after allegedly selling thousands of dollars of fake plane tickets to Nicaragua. Ruth Morales, owner of the Nicaraguita Travel Agency was charged with five counts of grand theft and fraud. Morales is believed to be a flight risk and her bail was raised from $25,000 to $150,000. Morales allegedly bilked a half-dozen customers by booking the flights, asking the customer to call the airline and verify the flights, then canceling the trip and pocketing the money. [Source: Miami Herald]


Hartford's Goodwin Hotel closes -- The Goodwin Hotel in Hartford closed Monday because of the declining economy and losing more than $6 million since it opened in 2005, its owner Northland Investment Corp. reported. Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez is hopeful that someone will purchase the 124-room boutique hotel because it provides good jobs to its residents. About 100 people lost jobs in the closing. Only two guests were staying in the hotel on Monday. [Source: Associated Press]