Cuba Readies for U.S. Tourists With Luxury Hotels

Cuba Readies for U.S. Tourists With Luxury Hotels

www.bloomberg.com

Cuba’s hotels could manage a sudden influx of 1 million American tourists if the U.S. Congress [bn

RSN=1] lifts its 47-year ban on travel to the Communist island (The) ‘Forbidden City’

“Havana has been the forbidden city for so long that it will be a boom destination even in the low season,”

(visit the link for the full news article)

Honestly - I'd love to see this place I've visited so many times via the news, movies, etc.
Now (finally) to have a chance to see it 'for real' (or at least tourist 'for real')...

But, by taking money into a area where the human rights violations should make me want to run in the other direction?

So, my question: Would you go to Cuba?

Would (visiting Cuba) be, in effect, supporting the atrocities against the people of Cuba?

Or - Would it be helping the people?

peace


www.bloomberg.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

EDIT TO ADD: Sorry for the emote in the original article. Let me see if I can fix it - add a space or something so it doesn't read as an emote.

[edit on 26-3-2010 by silo13]

I was born there- and i would go. Its my dream to go and visit the streets that held beautiful memories for me.

I know it wont be the old Cuba, though.

Look up on Youtube "Cuba before Castro"....it was absolutely beautiful.

We had Batista then, but he couldnt care less only for the Mafia money coming in so we had everything...including freedom!!!!! Tothis day i dont know what qualified him as a dictator.

As to whom the money would help- FIDEL CASTRO. Not the people.

They need to get rid of him and his brother before there should be travel allowed.

[edit on 26-3-2010 by dgtempe]

You bet I'd go...
Not only that
but I'd love to bring back one of their cherry old Chevy's too... can you imagine cruising round in a 57 Bel-air convertible...

you bet I'll I go

reply to post by dgtempe

I know it wont be the old Cuba, though.

No, you can't 'go home' as they say - but - I do so hope you get your chance to go!

I also know Cuba will be nothing like I've seen or read about, but I have to admit (again) I soooooooooo want to go.

I wonder what security will be like - keeping tourists from areas that are, well, considered - 'unpopular'...

peace

I have an inkling if they do open tourism, ol Fidel better have some good protection. I could see some families from back then wanting some retribution to what he did.

I would never go there.

Hey, has the Cuban Cigar ban been lifted. If it has, I need to find a supplier. They do still make the best cigars.

Have not had one from there for about 5 years.

reply to post by Senz20


I've been a number of times and hope the ban gets lifted. Talking to people who live there was a nice eye opener and showed the me the divide between the youths thinking and the revolutionary generation. Of all the people I talked to they said they loved their country but would move if they could. I do not know if that feeling is wide spread but if you leave the resort areas and truly 'see' cuba the reality is starkly different.

Still though, at some point the youths of today will be the politicians of tomorrow and unless Fidel has groomed a line of successors, things will change in my life time.

Cheers

reply to post by endisnighe


I agree, you hit that one right on the nose. I love fine cigars. Cubans are by far the best!!! Especially with a nice glass of Double Wood Scotch.

(The Irish invented whiskey, the Scots perfected it.) ;

[edit on 26-3-2010 by DaMod]

Just go to Cuba anyway. Who cares what TPTB say about this stuff. you have a natural right to travel. OOH thank you massa I go to the big bad isle now.

reply to post by oppaperclip

you have a natural right to travel.

I agree.

Too bad North Korea, Somalia, Southern Iran, Burma and a few other places don't agree with us.

I'm going to start saving my pennies though just in case.

peace

reply to post by silo13

So, my question: Would you go to Cuba? Would (visiting Cuba) be, in effect, supporting the atrocities against the people of Cuba? Or - Would it be helping the people?

I'm latin american, I live in South America and I don't buy it. Cuba investing in tourism for north-american people????? It sorta looks like a trap and I'm 90% sure Hugo Chaves is behind this. Fidel Castro is a living mummy. He doesn't rules Cuba anymore. He's brother Raul rules and Raul is a very close friend of Chaves. Raul Castro isn't so popular as your brother and Chaves is the one is taking the place of Fidel, as "socialist leader" in South America/Central America. Most of current latin leaders are puppets of Chaves. Don't be surprised if north-american tourist were arrested in Cuba, charged by "espionage" or anything else. Or even being kidnapped or something. The Cuban government DOESN'T respect the own cuban people, why north-american turists would be safety there???
This announcement doesn't make any sense. Cuba is socialist, not capitalist. Raul Castro IS NOT opening Cuba to capitalism, at least not until his brother's death. And if the Catro brothers were so interested in promote prosperity in Cuba, they should start GIVING BACK the money they STOLE from Cuban people along this 40 years of socialist "revolution". The cuban people got miserable, 'cos the the product of exports, exploitation of the island's resources, mining, etc., was WHOLE into the pockets of the oligarchs, military and associates of the Castro.
If u wanna know what really goes through Cuba, try to contact the cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez (try Ioanni, Yoanni). Currently she's the stone in the shoes of Fidel Castro.

If you are north-american, my advice is DON'T GO TO CUBA!!!!

[grammar edit on 26-3-2010 by ucalien]

[edit on 26-3-2010 by ucalien]

reply to post by ucalien

Thank you for your post - I truly appreciate and respect your opinion.
And yes, I will look into the blog you spoke of.

Now, the only thing I wouldn't agree with you on is this. Let's me add in a quote from the original article I posted, it will explain what I'm trying to say.

“The gringos can’t help but spend their money,” Garcia, 43, said at his stand in front of the neo-classical building that housed the U.S. Embassy before Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution. “They are the easiest tourists to sell to. They never ask for discounts.”

There ya go.

I agree it could be a risk for N. American's to venture to Cuba but not if Raul understands the genius in fleecing, not killing, that golden goose.

Thanks and PEACE



[edit on 27-3-2010 by silo13]

My father was there about a month before Castro took over. He said that it was beautiful and if there was any other place that he would rather live than where he lives today, it would be Cuba.

I have an inkling if they do open tourism, ol Fidel better have some good protection. I could see some families from back then wanting some retribution to what he did.

Tourism is booming in Cuba and has been for years, this may come as a shock but there are other countries on this planet other than America, but unlike America our governments don't ban us from traveling to other countries.

This is not an attack on anyone American, I just want to point out that Cuba isn't a closed country.

[edit on 28-3-2010 by yeebsy]

reply to post by silo13


Here's the reason I'm goin....
dgtempe...let me buy you a Cuba Libre!!

www.youtube.com...




[edit on 28-3-2010 by whaaa]

I've been to cuba lots of times. They already have tons of luxury hotels and tourist spots. Great country, not that i've seen the real thing (off of a resort)

I'd never seen so many automatic rifles in my life. There were army dudes everywhere, even just chillen in the forest by the road.

It was always nice too because there was mostly canadian tourists, so everyone was super friendly. (not that you americans cant be friendly too!)

reply to post by ucalien
I agree for the most part but all they want is the $$$$$$$$$$$.

They're not going to capture tourists, not at this time.



Every once in awhile they start the promotions when Castro money runs real LOW.... Varadero Beach would be the best place, so unbelievably beautiful!!!!! I would bypass the trip to the city for now. Not unless you bring your own food and grow a beard and move those hips like you're a Cuban, just for safety sake.

reply to post by whaaa


Ohhhh the best!!!!! And to this day i get teary eyed when i see where i grew up.
Thanks for the memories! When do we leave?

reply to post by whaaa


Ohhhh the best!!!!! And to this day i get teary eyed when i see where i grew up.
Thanks for the memories! When do we leave?