CHICAGO, Dec. 17, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading online travel company Orbitz Worldwide (NYSE:OWW) today applauded the announcement by the Obama administration that it will seek to normalize diplomatic relations with Cuba and lift the long-standing economic embargo against the island nation, hopefully paving the way for open travel between the United States and Cuba for citizens of both countries.
"We look forward to the day – hopefully soon – when all Americans have the opportunity to travel to Cuba," said Barney Harford, CEO of Orbitz Worldwide. "There are numerous economic, social and cultural benefits that will flow from free and open access and our customers are eager to visit Cuba."
Orbitz launched an online petition in 2009 urging the Obama administration to liberalize travel access to Cuba. The "Open Cuba" petition quickly generated more than 100,000 signatures and, in a related Huffington Post piece that same year, Harford said, "The interaction between people from countries with differing perspectives can be a powerful force for positive change and understanding."
About Orbitz Worldwide
Orbitz Worldwide (NYSE:OWW) is a leading global online travel company using technology to transform the way consumers around the world plan and purchase travel. Orbitz Worldwide operates the consumer travel planning sites Orbitz (orbitz.com), ebookers (ebookers.com), HotelClub (hotelclub.com) and CheapTickets (cheaptickets.com). Also within the Orbitz Worldwide family, Orbitz Partner Network (orbitzpartnernetwork.com) delivers private label travel technology solutions to a broad range of partners including some of the world`s largest airlines and travel agencies, and Orbitz for Business (orbitzforbusiness.com) delivers managed travel solutions for companies of all sizes. Orbitz Worldwide makes investor relations information available at investors.orbitz.com.