As the Pope's visit to Cuba will near its end, U.S. restrictions on the island will just begin to ease.
As of Monday, Sept. 21, it will be easier for some travelers to take a cruise to Cuba, or take a plane out of Miami International Airport.
While easing the restrictions could be good for local businesses, it could also cause some new problems for travelers.
A steady stream of phone calls and emails came into Wilson and Blanco International Service on Friday in southwest Miami-Dade.
"The commerce is going to increase. More employment is going to be created," said Daniel French, General Manager of Blanco International.
They were the first licensed company back in the 70's to send care packages to Cuba. Now the company sends charter planes to the island nation, four a week, and that number could soon be growing.
"At this moment, we are seeing an increase in passengers, in reservation requests. That is very positive for us," French said.
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It's not just the charter companies seeing an increase in business. So is Otmara Zuloaga, an independent contractor who sends people on educational tours.
"Cuba is the fashion now. It's the place to go and I think everyone's very curious," Zuloaga said.
But don't get your passport out just yet. You still have to be an authorized traveler on an educational or religious trip to go.
"Before the regulations, we would have to interview you and make sure you were a qualified traveler," French said.
Now, after Monday, it's up to you to make sure you're authorized to visit the nation.
"OPEC will have up to five years to audit you and to come into your house and knock on your door and ask you about your travel to Cuba to see if you really qualify as you said you did," French explained.
Not everyone's happy about this. Sen. Rubio and Rep. Ros-Lehtinen both spoke out Friday against lifting the restrictions, saying it's only helping the communist political agenda.
