Miami.– An eventual opening of U.S. travel to Cuba would hurt the tourism
industries of some Cuba's
competitors, a new study by the International Monetary Fund concluded.
According to "Vacation Over: Implications for the Caribbean of Opening U.S.
Cuban Tourism," an opening of Cuba to U.S. tourism would
represent a seismic shift in the Caribbean's tourism industry.
It comes at a time when an opening of U.S. travel to Cuba looks increasingly
plausible in the near future. Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Barack
Obama is vowing to relax U.S. travel restrictions on Cuban Americans if he is
elected.
Independently of U.S. policy, Cuba's ruling gerontocracy is not
likely to be able to maintain the status quo for many years –if anything else
because President Raul Castro is 76, and his No. 2, Jose Ramon Machado Ventura,
is 77.
However, many Caribbean islands would not suffer at all. On the contrary,
the study says overall tourism to the Caribbean would increase by up to 11
percent.
From: United States, (on Sabbatical)
I'll believe it when I see it!
From: United States, (on Sabbatical)
Personally, I believe that this all-important rationale that Cuba and its people possess is what has brought upon them this terrible nightmare which has lasted 50 years; The idea that everything Cuban is better that anything else is what brought this Totalitarian regime which stiffles creativity and competition. Let's see if the Cuban Communists will release the captive Cuban people from their state of Total Control; If there is anyone that can do a better job than Castro's family and his boot-lickers? These people are so close-minded that the concept: "if you want to do something right, do it yourself", is their only incentive in life. They know what's the best beach, the best food, the best music, the best goverment for the pople, etc. When Cuba is finally released from its bondage: the rest of the world will continue business as usual. Stop the unfounded scare-mongering; No one is in a rush to go see 50 years of rust, decay, hunger, and hard headed people. I'll be fine.
Written by: Belial, 27 Jul 2008 12:36 PM
From: United States, Texas
On the one hand, the IMF found "An eventual opening of U.S. travel to Cuba would hurt the tourism industries of some Cuba's competitors."
Which ones?
On the other hand, the IMF found " Many Caribbean islands would not suffer at all. On the contrary, the study says overall tourism to the Caribbean would increase by up to 11 percent."
So, according to the IMF, relaxing the travel blockade of Cuba may hurt some Caribbean markets, but overall the Caribbean will benefit.
Whether there is a travel opening to Cuba or not, some bourgeois [as this thread shows] ... brain-washed by the captalist media from the moment of their birth to the moment of their death ... can't conceive of the possibility of liberty and justice except under a bourgeois state.
They are too dense to see that a bourgeois state over a proletarian people is by definition form of oppression.
From: United States
In time all will be forgiven .. all forgotten .. all the cold war posturing against CHINA .. there was even a VIETNAM WAR .. but once the travel restrictions were lifted the touristas didn't care that both CHINA and VIETNAM are among the last remaining bastions of COMMUNISM .. they want to see CHINA .. they want to see CUBA .. CUBA needs dollars more than ever .. no problem ..
Written by: Belial, 27 Jul 2008 1:05 PM
From: United States, Texas
At No. 2 in the Caribbean, the Cuban tourist industry is huge and growing, no matter what the US imperialists say or do.
In 2005 arrivals, only DR with 3.6 million, beat Cuba with 2.3 million arrivals.
http://www.onecaribbean.org/conte....table1touriststopoverarrivals.pdfLet me tell ya, 2.3 million is big anywhere, not just in the Caribbean.
Cancun, Mexico, with 2.1 million arrivals followed Cuba in 2005 in third place.
The Bahamas was fourth with 1.5 million.
Jamaica and PR were tied for fifth place at 1.4 million arrivals each.
So, what the IMF study [reported above] guesses is that Cuba will overtake the DR in arrivals if Obama wins.
But why should this hurt the DR?
The DR milks tourists better than Cuba, getting larger receipts per visitor. Plus, DR is rapidly developing the long-term tourist resident facilities.
Cuba's industry is still mostly for multi-destination island hoppers.
The more island hoppers the better for the Caribbean.
From: United States
GhoulishColon, 27 Jul 2008 12:36 PM
Its called Hypocrisy fueled by a politically motivated affluent and well financed minority.
Written by: Belial, 27 Jul 2008 1:29 PM
From: United States, Texas
The difference between the Cuban and DR tourist industries is that, IN THE DR , 90% of the tourist industry profits go to the foreign imperialists and Dominican bourgeoisie as payment of principal and interest of debt, as dividends, executive salaries, as "expert" fees, and as rents and only a miserly 10%, if that much, go to the Dominican people as fiscal approriations for health care, education, housing, nutrition or wages.
BUT IN Cuba, 90% of the tourist industry profits go to the Cuban people as fiscal approriations for health care, education, housing, nutrition or wages and a miserly 10% go the capitalist pigs as payment of principal and interest of debt, as dividends, executive salaries, as "expert" fees, and as rents.
Bourgeois trash looks at 42% poverty of the DR people, according to the CIA World Factbook, and says it is a good thing that the DR people get almost nothing out of their tourist industry.
The CIA says poverty in Cuba is "NA."
Or don't exist.
From: United States
The CIA huh? the same CIA that gave Bush-Cheney intelligence on "weapons of mass destruction" in Iraq? I don't trust anything they say ..
Written by: Belial, 27 Jul 2008 3:05 PM
From: United States, Texas
"The CIA huh? the same CIA that gave Bush-Cheney intelligence on "weapons of mass destruction" in Iraq? I don't trust anything they say .."
oooo
Yeah, the the same CIA that told Bush and Cheney that there were no WMDs in Iraq and Iraq wasn't involved in 9/11.
Bush-Cheney ordered the CIA to stop telling the truth and cook up some lies.
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
Todo es abajo control .....I have arrived to sort you out belial you brown nosing boot licking commie stooge apparachik....Lets get ready to ruuuuuuuuuumble
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
Anything is possible but Cuba would need a huge improvement I mean huge to compete in Quality with the types of vacations being offered in the DR.....The cheeseball product now being offered in cuba is all Eat and drink till you puke rubber chicken all inclusive for the low low ball consumer....nuff said who they are ...But once they get rid of the commies the future is bright for them...But they are 10 years behind in facilities of the quality class....Even with financial help from their cousins in Miami....Nobody with class will invest with the commies....but as you can see they are on their way out...on a banana peel....the cuban resorts are double cheese
From: United States, Spring Valley, NY
My bags is already packed for Cienfuegos, Im just waiting for uncle Sam to say I can go.
Written by: Jander, 27 Jul 2008 5:19 PM
From: Dominican Republic
Can't wait to go there again", legally this time.
From: United States
DR may suffer initially, however when the novelty wears off, the tourists will return to DR.
From: United States
ref: FrankdelYonkers, 27 Jul 2008 8:35 PM
Don't think so.
What have Dominicans abroad done to improve the business environment in DR? Or perhaps a better question: how have Dominicans abroad and on the Island contributed to the tourism industry or to the Island as a whole?
Very little!
I guess you are unaware of the immense financial and political power of the Cuban community in the states.
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
I have lived in the Caribbean for many years and I have heard this story repeated on every island I have ever lived on or visited .....That said i believe after an initial jolt that the opening of Cuba will be good for all tourism throughout the Caribbean Islands particularly the Spanish Antilles where the choice will be Spanish with three flavours
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
Cuba's infrastructure is crumbling. Raul Castro said the government has plans to rebuild roads, pipelines, houses and railways. But he didn't address whether Cubans might be allowed to freely leave the country or whether they can buy and sell houses. He avoided mentioning the dilemma of Cuba's dual-currency which often forces people to buy necessities in a currency they're not allowed to earn.
From: United States
I don't disagree that tourism in Cuba will be good for everyone as it will increase competition. But it will result in a do or die condition. If DR does not rethink and re-invent it's strategy it could loose pitifully against Cuba simply because of the intellectual and financial capital abroad, the curiosity factor, the novelty and other factors which could quickly divert attention to Cuba. I feel it should happen perhaps DR will get their act together. Either they learn to swim in the new waters or drown.
Written by: Belial, 28 Jul 2008 12:03 AM
From: United States, Texas
"Anything is possible but Cuba would need a huge improvement I mean huge to compete in Quality with the types of vacations being offered in the DR.....The cheeseball product now being offered in cuba is all Eat and drink till you puke rubber chicken all inclusive for the low low ball consumer....nuff said who they are ...But once they get rid of the commies the future is bright for them...But they are 10 years behind in facilities of the quality class...." GC pours out rubbish.
0000
Check out Cuba's international hotel star-rating for yourself, rather than listen to GC's lies.
http://cubatravelusa.com/hotel_only_prices.htmhttp://www.hotelrooms.com/Luxury_Hotels_Caribbean_Cuba.htmCuba prices at the low end, but this doesn't mean there any lack of luxury.
Cuba doesn't price a room at $5,000 a night, but that doesn't mean the rooms are unlike those that go for $5000 a night else where.
From: United States, (on Sabbatical)
Cubans on the Island, and in their usual refugee locations would be proud of all the positive PR, and free publicity afforded them on this thread. They must really relish all the stroking they receive. I say Cuba for Cubans; Let them hype themselves; They're real good at the bragging biz..No other nationality (Argentinians are silver medal) needs to contribute to the excersize they enjoy most: Bragging = Cuba this, Cuba that, etc. They're the best at everything. They don't need your sympathy, hermanos.
From: United States
Belial, I have heard you rant time and time over again about the bourgeoisie. The evil empire, The cannibalistic system of capitalism, I just want to know, are you for Socialism, Communism, Hybrid system or what exactly?
From: United States
It's not a matter of publicity. It's a matter of reality. The fact exist that the day Cuba becomes free, countries that rely on tourism will have to wake up and smell the coffee. As some may think the hype is just hot air, this does not negate the fact that hoards of people will flock to Cuba for the sake of curiosity. This will open the door to incomparable immense opportunity and advantage for Cuba.
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
Ladronaso you are correct about sink or swim because once normalized the cubans will be relentless it is not for nothing that they were known as the Jews of the Caribbean for their business instincts and acumen...Historically Cuba has always been preeminent in the Spanish Antilles culturally and economically ...Now combine a high level of education with the economic power and education of the ex patriates in the US it is a formidable mix ...Then you have the Boricuas and they are no shrinking violets either so what you say is true
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
what belial fails to mention is those stars have no meaning in this case ...so why not say 10 star resorts Sofitel is the only thing close to a luxury chain operating in Cuba period and their hotel in Havana is not up to their normal standards
Written by: Escott, 28 Jul 2008 2:54 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Cabrera and Sosua a few days a month
What a dope our Belial is. He compares one city to a whole nation when comparing 2.3 million to Cuba and 2.1 to Cancun. What about Puerto Vallarta, Alcapolco, Mexico City, ah never mind I can keep on going and going but what is the sense.
Cuba is a dump, has NO infrastructure and moves people about in Cattle cars similar to what I rode in when in the US Army in training camp.
I have been to Cuba and would NEVER go back. Glad I went but the people are so scared to even talk to a person not Cuban for fear of going to Jail. Maybe relaxed with Raul but I wouldn't want to waste my money to see.
Until they stop putting people in Jail in Cuba for disagreeing with the government I think the US should continue the ban.
From: United States, Brooklyn
Cuba's opening will hurt tourism in DR at the beginning but later on it will stabilized cuz we'll just have to compete with them...
Written by: Belial, 28 Jul 2008 9:33 PM
From: United States, Texas
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
belial you are dreaming again ....pipe dreams....its over .the fat queen Raul is going to throw in the towel any day now and run off with Hugo.....Dont count on Obama before it hatches and remember...It is particularly troubling to Democrats who recall past Democratic presidential candidates taking a huge lead over the summer before being overtaken or nearly overtaken by a surging Republican opponent. In 1976, Jimmy Carter took a 33-point summer lead over President Gerald Ford and won in a photo finish. In 1988, Michael Dukakis led George H.W. Bush by 17 points after being nominated in Atlanta but ultimately lost the election. Al Gore and John Kerry were ahead of George W. Bush in the summer
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Which ones?
On the other hand, the IMF found " Many Caribbean islands would not suffer at all. On the contrary, the study says overall tourism to the Caribbean would increase by up to 11 percent."
So, according to the IMF, relaxing the travel blockade of Cuba may hurt some Caribbean markets, but overall the Caribbean will benefit.
Whether there is a travel opening to Cuba or not, some bourgeois [as this thread shows] ... brain-washed by the captalist media from the moment of their birth to the moment of their death ... can't conceive of the possibility of liberty and justice except under a bourgeois state.
They are too dense to see that a bourgeois state over a proletarian people is by definition form of oppression.
In 2005 arrivals, only DR with 3.6 million, beat Cuba with 2.3 million arrivals.
http://www.onecaribbean.org/conte....table1touriststopoverarrivals.pdf
Let me tell ya, 2.3 million is big anywhere, not just in the Caribbean.
Cancun, Mexico, with 2.1 million arrivals followed Cuba in 2005 in third place.
The Bahamas was fourth with 1.5 million.
Jamaica and PR were tied for fifth place at 1.4 million arrivals each.
So, what the IMF study [reported above] guesses is that Cuba will overtake the DR in arrivals if Obama wins.
But why should this hurt the DR?
The DR milks tourists better than Cuba, getting larger receipts per visitor. Plus, DR is rapidly developing the long-term tourist resident facilities.
Cuba's industry is still mostly for multi-destination island hoppers.
The more island hoppers the better for the Caribbean.
Its called Hypocrisy fueled by a politically motivated affluent and well financed minority.
BUT IN Cuba, 90% of the tourist industry profits go to the Cuban people as fiscal approriations for health care, education, housing, nutrition or wages and a miserly 10% go the capitalist pigs as payment of principal and interest of debt, as dividends, executive salaries, as "expert" fees, and as rents.
Bourgeois trash looks at 42% poverty of the DR people, according to the CIA World Factbook, and says it is a good thing that the DR people get almost nothing out of their tourist industry.
The CIA says poverty in Cuba is "NA."
Or don't exist.
oooo
Yeah, the the same CIA that told Bush and Cheney that there were no WMDs in Iraq and Iraq wasn't involved in 9/11.
Bush-Cheney ordered the CIA to stop telling the truth and cook up some lies.
Don't think so.
What have Dominicans abroad done to improve the business environment in DR? Or perhaps a better question: how have Dominicans abroad and on the Island contributed to the tourism industry or to the Island as a whole?
Very little!
I guess you are unaware of the immense financial and political power of the Cuban community in the states.
0000
Check out Cuba's international hotel star-rating for yourself, rather than listen to GC's lies.
http://cubatravelusa.com/hotel_only_prices.htm
http://www.hotelrooms.com/Luxury_Hotels_Caribbean_Cuba.htm
Cuba prices at the low end, but this doesn't mean there any lack of luxury.
Cuba doesn't price a room at $5,000 a night, but that doesn't mean the rooms are unlike those that go for $5000 a night else where.
Cuba is a dump, has NO infrastructure and moves people about in Cattle cars similar to what I rode in when in the US Army in training camp.
I have been to Cuba and would NEVER go back. Glad I went but the people are so scared to even talk to a person not Cuban for fear of going to Jail. Maybe relaxed with Raul but I wouldn't want to waste my money to see.
Until they stop putting people in Jail in Cuba for disagreeing with the government I think the US should continue the ban.
One picture is worth a 1000 lies.
http://cubatravelusa.com/hotel_only_prices.htm