The United States Army Air Force and United Kingdom service personnel stationed near Lavenham during World War II have long departed, but their names remain inscribed on the walls of the Old Bar in The Swan at Lavenham Hotel & Spa.

Changes in government regulation, allowing for Americans to travel to Cuba without special permission from the government, have opened up new possibilities for Cuba travel. Now, more than ever, travelers are demanding to visit Cuba—an emerging destination in the tourism industry. Here's what you need to know before you go.

1. Americans still can't travel to Cuba as traditional tourists.

Americans must travel on an Office of Foreign Asset Control approved program, for which there are 12 categories. People-to-people travel under the educational category is a great option for travelers looking to explore Cuba's culture. Travelers must also keep records of their trip for at least five years, to prove their itinerary was packed with educational activities such as museum visits, tours and interactions with local Cubans.

2. Expect a shortage of hotel rooms.

There's a wide range of accommodations available in Cuba: Visitors could stay in first class modern hotels, smaller boutique style hotels, all-inclusive resorts or privately owned bed and breakfasts, called casa particulars. Cuba's infrastructure, however, isn't able to keep up with the growing demand in the tourism industry. There's a shortage in space, so plan to book accommodations as early as possible.

3. Don't drink the water.

You could drink the water—just not the tap water. Bottled water is readily available, along with an assortment of other beverages such as sodas, juices, beer, wine and cocktails.

4. Bring cash.

Currently, credit cards issued in Canada and the United States won't work (or won't work smoothly) in Cuba. This will change in the future, but visitors should check with their financial institution before traveling, and it's safer to bring cold, hard cash. When bringing currency to Cuba, bills should be in pristine condition—with no rips or tears—or bureaus and banks may not accept them.

5. Cuba is a safe destination.

Cubans are warm and welcoming people, eager to speak to visitors. Visitors shouldn't be afraid to strike up a conversation.

 Written by Cassie Westrate, staff writer for Groups Today.

For something old and something new, check out Elizabeth. The birthplace of the state of New Jersey, this 350-year-old city is a great destination for history buffs—yet Elizabeth is also a hotspot for entertainment, shopping and nightlife. Just minutes from New York City, Elizabeth boasts a lively atmosphere of its own. It's no wonder tourists are demanding to visit this emerging destination. Here's what you should know before you go.

Now that the Rio Olympics are over, the city hopes to reap the benefits of the games well into the future. The city has plans to repurpose its Olympic venues into schools, high school dorms, community swimming centers, public parks and land for private development.