Cuba’s travel industry has been growing strongly and steadily over the past six months. New figures released this week by the island nation’s Tourism Ministry show a staggering 17 percent increase from the first half of 2014, a condition that puts Cuba en route to reach way over 3 million sunbathers by the end of this year.

The pause button was pressed, freezing the ambient disposition of this isolated island nation. Antique cars and colonial household infrastructures stood stagnant since the 1950s. I felt Cuba's revolutionary culture — artistic, passionate, united and proud.

The opening of Cuba to U.S. travelers has been a major focus of the Obama administration since the December 17, 2014, announcement that it would normalize relations with the island nation.

The imprimatur of the Obama administration has allowed lobbyists to band together with NGOs and other corporate interests to advance the cause of opening travel to Cuba.

A pressing frustration among Cubans is why the United States keeps its embargo in place. Some offer this theory to visiting Americans: Cuba would drain away Florida's tourism.

The sight of the Stars and Stripes being hoisted over the newly opened US embassy in Cuba was one of the most visible signs yet of the diplomatic rapprochement between the long-term foes.