Lifting of Cuba ban could hit rest of Caribbean

[Billy Burnett]

Lifting of Cuba ban could hit rest of Caribbean
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d9a80eb0-aec7-11dd-b621-000077b07658.html?nclick_check=1

Fears are growing that the tourism industry in many Caribbean nations could suffer if Barack Obama, US president-elect, decides to weaken or lift the long-standing US embargo on Cuba.

US passport holders are now banned from going to the island. But if American tourists - the Caribbean's biggest group of visitors - were granted unrestricted access to what is potentially the region's largest tourism destination, a "seismic shift" could hit the Caribbean, said Rafael Romeu, an International Monetary Fund economist who has studied the issue.

What exactly an Obama administration will do on Cuba remains unclear.

But any shift allowing US travel to the Caribbean's largest island could represent the single most significant change in US policy towards the region and its economies.

While Cuba has suffered from strict trade barriers for the past half-century, the rest of the region has benefited as a result. Now, however, they will need to act quickly to prepare themselves for this large loss in what amount to implicit trade preferences - or suffer the consequences, said Mr Romeu.

Destinations most vulnerable are those that depend heavily on US tourists, such as the Bahamas and Cancún. Others that have a higher proportion of European visitors, such as the Dominican Republic and Barbados, will be less affected.

Mr Romeu expects a net increase of more than 10 per cent in the region's visitors as costs of visiting fall.

About 1.4m people visit Cuba each year. But the island is expected to receive up to 3.5m Americans alone if the US changes its policy.

This story is an illustration of the varied range of (behind the scenes) foreign support FOR the US gov travel sanctions on Americans.

[Bacchus39]

1. not just foreign, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands as well

are very worried about unrestricted travel to Cuban and their subsequent loss of revenue.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Do you remember they started discusssing this back in 2000, when the Congress

approved a humanitarian exception to the embargo after Hurricane Michelle, and started allowing certain food items, agricultural products, etc. to go through, on a cash and carry basis to Cuba, after its food supply was devasted?

When the first ship left the States to take over frozen chicken, etc., port cities from Texas to the East Coast started anticipating an eventual trade opening for them, too, cities like Galveston, Mobile, etc.

At that time, Tampa started working on ideas of installing a ferry business back and forth to Cuba. This would indicate, that although these American towns are loathe to give up any tourism trade, they are already contemplating ways in which they can minimize any damage from a dwindling supply of tourists.

Other people have been thinking about the possibility normal travel to Cuba would bring a lot of tourists to the area as the first leg of that trip to Cuba.

It's just a matter of refocusing, discovering options, new ways of seeing things.

As you know, Billy Burnett, fighting the removal of the travel ban has its fanatics as far away as the Las Vegas tourist industry, and the traditional Florida tourism business. They're going to have to get with the program, right?

[Vogon_Glory]

3. Mebbe, Mebbe Not

I question as to whether terminating the Cuba travel restrictions will be quite as devastating to other Caribbean islands as some people would like to think. To begin with, while Cuba does have a tourist infrastructure, I doubt that it's set up to handle the hordes of would-be American travelers finally freed from the Cold War-vintage travel bans. Also, getting to Cuba is going to remain more of a hassle than going to San Juan, Nassau, St. Kitts, or the Dominican Republic: Cuba DOES require tourists to have visas, the other places don't. Furthermore, however thrilling the idea of a state-owned or state-operated tourist industry might be to some, if the Havana government prices its offerings above what other islands charge, it scarcely follows that tourists will beat a path to Cuba in spite of the higher prices.

[Bacchus39]

4. on the first count, I'd imagine Cuba would issue travel visas upon arrival

for $100 or so to immediately cash in on the new tourists. a "gringo" tax for entering AND leaving the island.

on the second count, you are probably correct given Cuba's dual currency system. although, even if the prices were about the same as the expensive Caribbean destinations, the attraction of visiting Cuba would likely result in quite a number of tourists. on the other hand, the European tourists may then decide to go elsewhere.

[Billy Burnett]

6. Interesting.

Interesting to know you hold Cubans, Europeans, and Americans in such low esteem.

Duly noted.

[Bacchus39]

7. um....no, what gave you that idea

you don't see as many Europeans in places like Puerto Rico or Cancun. if there were to be a mass infusion of American tourists to Cuba, I'd think that people from other countries might choose to go elsewhere. that's all. and regarding Cubans, I'm sure they will make the island economically prosperous if they are allowed to. I believe this is what some of the other countries fear.

[dipsydoodle]

9. They don't issue visas to EU tourists

and EU tourists don't go there simply because USA citizens can't - they go because they like the people, the country and the climate.

What you could find is that they don't want US$ - they prefer Euros or Sterling and in some instances actually refuse $'s.

edit - rubbish word order....lol.

[Billy Burnett]

5. Yeah. It'll suck to be able to travel to Cuba.

Especially considering that the thugs running Cuba might require something as untenable as a passport and/or a visa.

After all, the free-est country in the world, the USofA, lets Cubans who are smuggled in - any and all illegal entrants, including criminals who've failed the legal litmus tests - simply be released onto the streets without any verifiable ID.

Cuba should do the same - and create similar perks for them, as the US does, too.

:crazy:

[Vogon_Glory]

8. Sorry, But Pricing Still Affects Where Tourists Will Go

At the risk of offending DU's true believers, pricing will be a serious factor as to whether US tourists will beat a path to Cuba when the detestable and un-American travel restrictions FINALLY bite the dust. I don't doubt that "Sandalista" tourists are looking forward to visiting Cuba, I don't doubt that history buffs are looking forward to visiting Cuba, I don't doubt that backpackers are looking forward to visiting Cuba, I don't doubt that I'm looking forward to diving off the Isla de Juventud or the Jardines de la Reina; however, such folks are specialized segments of the tourist industry. The mass-market "industrial tourists" who are merely looking for a hotel by the beach and a chance to get sunburned are still going pick the best bargains at the lowest price, and if Cuba's state-owned tourist industry prices too high, THOSE tourists WILL go elsewhere.