U.S. travel warning sends chill across Cuban tourism industry

[El Presidente]

..and to think it was all "sunshine, rainbows and lollipops" just a few months ago 

I wonder if the Cuban Govt is a little nervous about giving their European agents the arse for the past two years. 

 

 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-cuba-travel/u-s-travel-warning-sends-chill-across-cuban-tourism-industry-idUSKCN1C61LZ

U.S. travel warning sends chill across Cuban tourism industry

Nelson Acosta, Marc Frank

HAVANA (Reuters) - Businesses catering to U.S. tourists visiting Cuba have had a rude awakening in the last few months after enjoying a 2-1/2-year boom.

First, U.S. President Donald Trump in June ordered tighter restrictions on travel to the Caribbean island. Then the U.S. State Department warned on Friday against going there after a spate of alleged attacks on its diplomats in Havana, stating until the cause was determined, it could not guarantee Americans’ safety.

 

The new regulations have not yet been published, and the warning does not mean Americans cannot travel to Cuba. Still, the moves relegate the island back to the realm of “forbidden fruit” to be enjoyed at one’s peril.

“Just as the re-establishment of Cuba-U.S. relations was a positive influence, now this will be very negative,” said Jose Enrique Montoto, who rents an apartment, often to American guests, through the online marketplace Airbnb. “They are creating a mood of insecurity for those who want to travel to Cuba.”

Montoto, 57, said three U.S. citizens who were set to arrive in Havana on Saturday had canceled their reservation with him at the last minute without an explanation. He worried that more would do the same.

To be sure, less than 10 percent of foreign visitors to the island are Americans, even though the number of those travelers tripled to 285,000 last year due to new exemptions to the travel ban in the wake of the 2014 U.S.-Cuban historic detente under former U.S. President Barack Obama.

According to Cuban government statistics, that would place local revenues from Americans’ sojourns at about $300 million.

 

Cuba has long catered largely to Canadian and European tourists, and some local business owners said recent events under Trump were a harsh reminder not to rely too much on one market.

Still, others said Americans were particularly good clients who paid well. They also feared the U.S. travel warning would further tarnish Cuba’s image as a safe and idyllic destination after Hurricane Irma wreaked havoc there last month.

A dip in tourism this year would be a further blow to Cuba’s economy, which already is struggling with a drop in cheap oil shipments from key ally Venezuela, lower exports and a cash crunch.

WHAT ABOUT THE BOTTOM LINE?

Airbnb, American Airlines (AAL.O), United Airlines (UAL.N) and other U.S. companies said on Friday that they would continue their operations on and to Cuba despite the travel warning and the new, tighter regulations.

However, business could suffer if fewer Americans visit there.

Trump has said he wants to eliminate one of the most popular exemptions to the U.S. travel ban on Cuba, the self-directed “people-to-people” category. Confusion remains about what will be allowed.

 

 

”I’m concerned about the impact (the warning) will have on our 2018 and 2019 business,” said Andrea Holbrook, owner of Gainesville, Florida-based Holbrook Travel, which runs tours to more than 30 countries.

“Cuba certainly has been an emerging destination,” she said on Saturday at a Havana conference organized by the Responsible and Ethical Cuba Travel association (RESPECT), a U.S. group of more than 150 businesses and non-profits bringing Americans to the island.

U.S. cruise operators such as Royal Caribbean (RCL.N) and Carnival Corp (CCL.N) may remain unscathed, experts said, since their guests can stay on board, while the alleged attacks on U.S. diplomats are said to have occurred at their homes and hotels.

U.S. tour operators said the alleged attacks had not affected any U.S. tourists and that Cuba remained one of the safest destinations possible.

“Our conclusion was this seems to be a political statement, not a warning because they are worried about peoples’ health,” said RESPECT Co-Coordinator Bob Guild.

Cubans in the hospitality sector said that rather than wait for relations to improve under Trump, they should instead look to new markets.

“He is trying to close the door to us ever more,” said Aimee Santos, 53, who rents out her flat, “but whenever a door closes, others open.”

 

[Isaac]

I had read somewhere that the US is no longer issuing Visas to Cuba.  

[Habana Mike]

14 minutes ago, Isaac said:

I had read somewhere that the US is no longer issuing Visas to Cuba.  

Not true. They are no longer issuing Visas in Cuba for Cubans to visit the US

[srbbones]

That whole sonic attack thing - Did they really think it would not be detected?  That there would  be no backlash?  Weird

[Corylax18]

I was staying across the street from the Capri last November, concurrent with the initial "attacks" there. I'm Fine. So fine in fact, that I will be staying at the same place again 6 weeks from now. Cuba is one of the safest places I have ever vacationed (including many U.S. destinations), a travel advisory indicating it isn't safe is just not true. The vastly disparate reactions from the U.S. and Canada (they also had diplomats "attacked") is very interesting, but completely unsurprising. A "cool down" in hotel and restaurant prices will be graciously accepted by the people that have been travelling to the island for years. I wonder, to what degree will we see this?

[LLC]

I stayed at the Capri last November and quite enjoyed it. I'd stay there again.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SCgarman]

As a US citizen that has never been to Cuba, it is off my bucket list. Have no desire to go there anymore, besides my wife and 11 year old daughter could care less about cigars or Cuban culture. And for the hotel prices the Cuban government is charging I can book a true blue 4 or 5 star hotel in Cancun or similar destination. Complete with good internet service and modern day amenities.

[JohnInCleveland]

7 minutes ago, NYgarman said:

As a US citizen that has never been to Cuba, it is off my bucket list. Have no desire to go there anymore, besides my wife and 11 year old daughter could care less about cigars or Cuban culture. And for the hotel prices the Cuban government is charging I can book a true blue 4 or 5 star hotel in Cancun or similar destination. Complete with good internet service and modern day amenities.

If you're looking for 4 or 5 star hotels, or modern amenities, you're right.

 

The reasons you don't wanna go are the reasons I went.  I can't say how much your wife or kids would enjoy it, but I can say you should find a way to go, even if it's for 4 days with guy friends. 

[busdriver]

If only 285,000 Americans went to cuba last year, i must know half of them!

[Danimalia]

I don't believe for a second Cuba is unsafe to visit. I mean, have there been any reports of American visitors being harmed? After the previous thawing of relations, this change is most unwelcome. That's not to say we shouldn't get to the bottom of this "sonic" thing, but it sure makes for a convenient alibi for those who were already inclined to put the freeze back on.

 

 

[NotLawReview]

My wife and I were there for our honeymoon in late August after the first reports of the "sonic attacks" came out and we went anyway. At no point did we feel unsafe (quite the opposite, in fact) and we loved our time there.  It's about time this stupid 50+ year grudge was ended so the unbelievably nice people of cuba can stop being punished for no reason.

[PigFish]

There are many perspectives to any subject. When did people who wanted to visit Cuba from the US take any US government position seriously???

Ultimately, the Cuban government still does not like Americans (US). I believe that they are afraid of what freedom of capital exchange, and cultural exchange with USA citizenry will potentially do to their decades of preaching that we are the evil sons of Satin...

What will kill Cuban tourism is the same thing that kills everything in Cuba... That is centralized control of everything commercial and the incompetency of how they handle the market and market driven forces.

The f'ing Cuban government broke it off in their own ass this time as the always do. The raised the prices and killed their own market. What happened in their borders to diplomats USA and others apparently, is their responsibility as well. They blew it. Now as always we hear those that will simply blame the US for everything, just like the Cuban government has always done. Nothing new to see here!

Anyone who wants to go to Cuba will go to Cuba... The Cuban government stuffed their non-USA partners in tourism by shafting them with high prices. Decisions have consequences and allowing individuals (business) to run with their own pricing strategy would have served them better than the central planner's model. Will the Cuban government learn...? No...

TIC... (this is Cuba).

-the Pig

 

[mncz]

Watching these headlines lately with an interest in perspective as things move forward into the next decade or so.

I'm not in a position to travel to Cuba within the next 3 years, though I will comment, with respect to some of the opinions above, that I find the notion of traveling to Cuba to stay in 4 or 5 star hotels far from suited to my taste. Then again, I've never really been the type for that kind of stuff. More like cracking coconuts and avoiding roaches while peering at the liquor cabinet and puffing on something delicious! Maybe this past year in East Asia has been rubbing off...

Cheers.

[Foulhook]

3 hours ago, PigFish said:

There are many perspectives to any subject. When did people who wanted to visit Cuba from the US take any US government position seriously???

Ultimately, the Cuban government still does not like Americans (US). I believe that they are afraid of what freedom of capital exchange, and cultural exchange with USA citizenry will potentially do to their decades of preaching that we are the evil sons of Satin...

What will kill Cuban tourism is the same thing that kills everything in Cuba... That is centralized control of everything commercial and the incompetency of how they handle the market and market driven forces.

The f'ing Cuban government broke it off in their own ass this time as the always do. The raised the prices and killed their own market. What happened in their borders to diplomats USA and others apparently, is their responsibility as well. They blew it. Now as always we hear those that will simply blame the US for everything, just like the Cuban government has always done. Nothing new to see here!

Anyone who wants to go to Cuba will go to Cuba... The Cuban government stuffed their non-USA partners in tourism by shafting them with high prices. Decisions have consequences and allowing individuals (business) to run with their own pricing strategy would have served them better than the central planner's model. Will the Cuban government learn...? No...

TIC... (this is Cuba).

-the Pig

 

Agree completely. Cuban government brought this on themselves. What was done to US and some Canadian diplomats is scary. There are to many other better places I would rather visit for me to care to take the risk to travel there. I love their cigars but They can keep the rest! Would much rather visit Belize, Costa Rica, etc. etc. 

[Colt45]

24 minutes ago, mncz said:

I'm not in a position to travel to Cuba within the next 3 years, though I will comment, with respect to some of the opinions above, that I find the notion of traveling to Cuba to stay in 4 or 5 star hotels far from suited to my taste.

I think the main gist is that they suddenly started charging five star prices for less than five star accommodations, not that people are necessarily looking for that type of experience.

[mncz]

20 minutes ago, Colt45 said:

I think the main gist is that they suddenly started charging five star prices for less than five star accommodations, not that people are necessarily looking for that type of experience.

This I was unaware of. Apologies, then. Sounds like a complicated issue with which I have no familiarity, but I certainly agree with the position to avoid such accommodations!

WRT Foul's post:
I can, however, attest to Costa Rica being a great place to visit! In fact, I could see myself settling in there. Truly a wonderful place.
(Though I still kept a care package of Cuban sticks with me -- didn't have much luck on the puros hunting front out there.)

[SCgarman]

1 hour ago, Colt45 said:

I think the main gist is that they suddenly started charging five star prices for less than five star accommodations, not that people are necessarily looking for that type of experience.

Cuba has no damn idea what a 5 star hotel really is and the amenities it provides. All you have to do is watch the Bill O'Reilly video in which he described his unbiased experience in a Cuban hotel room. 'Nuff said.

[jtfrizzy]

This hole US-Cuba relations hoopla is really annoying. I really thought we were making progress with our neighbors down south then this hole sonic attack business and it just makes no sense. I don't even think Cuba knew it was even going on. Maybe it was Russia who knows. Maybe it was infact Cuba it just makes so little sense for TN enough to do that. Hopefully they can get that all worked out cause it would be nice to be able to visit that island someday. I've heard it is very nice not just for the cigars and rum either.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[...]

12 hours ago, NYgarman said:

Cuba has no damn idea what a 5 star hotel really is and the amenities it provides. All you have to do is watch the Bill O'Reilly video in which he described his unbiased experience in a Cuban hotel room. 'Nuff said.

Bill O'Reilly and 'unbiased' used in the same sentence... ?

[Foulhook]

13 hours ago, NYgarman said:

Cuba has no damn idea what a 5 star hotel really is and the amenities it provides. All you have to do is watch the Bill O'Reilly video in which he described his unbiased experience in a Cuban hotel room. 'Nuff said.

A remember that episode. I miss the no spin zone. Bill always gave you the actual facts. Loved when he said anyone who thought putting a socialist in the White House should be required to visit Cuba first. Lol.

[...]

1 hour ago, Foulhook said:

A remember that episode. I miss the no spin zone. Bill always gave you the actual facts. Loved when he said anyone who thought putting a socialist in the White House should be required to visit Cuba first. Lol.

Visiting Canada would also be quite enlightening ?

[PigFish]

... and what exactly was BHO if not a socialist?

Noting like doubling the debt while struggling to get 1% GDP growth... Need I say more?

Considering the confused positions and ostensible spending propositions of DT, I am not exactly sure he does not have the same leanings even if he does speak against it publicly. Just my opinion on the current state of affairs...

Socialist tendencies are native to both parties today. The Progressive Party was a creation of Teddy Roosevelt...

-Piggy

[...]

1 hour ago, PigFish said:

... and what exactly was BHO if not a socialist?

Noting like doubling the debt while struggling to get 1% GDP growth... Need I say more?

Considering the confused positions and ostensible spending propositions of DT, I am not exactly sure he does not have the same leanings even if he does speak against it publicly. Just my opinion on the current state of affairs...

Socialist tendencies are native to both parties today. The Progressive Party was a creation of Teddy Roosevelt...

-Piggy

Hi Ray,

are you saying forum rules don't apply to you or is US politics now officially fair game? It's getting confusing lately...

[Bartolomeo]

As a true lover of Habanos I enjoy my trips to the island, you know why, because I go down there with low expectations and the notion to go with the flow, what ever happens, happens......that's why each of my trips have been so memorable

IMHO real Cuban cigar lovers should make the journey down to the island at some point in their lives to see everything from start to finish on what makes the cigars the best in the world and the people involved...kind of like people interested in Architecture goto Europe, wine lovers flock to Italy/France, etc.

If you are worrried about dragging your family and friends, staying in a high end resort/hotel then maybe you are missing the big picture of what Cuba is really about 

I will bet ANYONE here that takes a trip to Cuba with an open mind will leave a changed person and have a different perspective about cigars, the Cuban people and their own lives....no doubt in my mind

Do I really want to hang around people more worried about accommodations than realizing what Cuba is all about......

Bart

[PigFish]

43 minutes ago, Jeanff said:

Hi Ray,

are you saying forum rules don't apply to you or is US politics now officially fair game? It's getting confusing lately...

I don't set the rules mate... You are asking the wrong guy. If you feel my post is offensive you should report it. As far as confusing, I agree. I have seen numerous posts around here over the past several months, especially negative comments about the current POTUS... I did not see you nor anyone for that matter, ask this question when those appeared. Perhaps you did not see them... Perhaps no one read them but me...! Funny how that works! -LOL

I need not rationalize my comments to anyone except one that administrates the site. Yet, a previous comment made mention of a socialist in the white house, presumably about Bernie Sanders (an assumption) and I found error in it. Progressive/socialist leanings have been present in the USA for 100 years. Progressive/socialist positions are, in my opinion not about party or country. You see, I don't just pick on Cuba! As one that draws flack for 'disparaging' Cuba, I thought that I might set the record straight, that Cuban tyranny is not my only hot button, but rather political tyranny regardless of State, mine included. This comment was in fact a means by which I attempt to level the playing field. I understand that my intent was not completely obvious.

You may know that my position is one of a general dislike for socialism. I don't hold my country above others in that it is immune to 'my' criticism. I recognize that as a potential infraction of the rules. I therefore recognize your concern. While my statement may in fact be an infraction, it was deeper than USA politics, it was a statement about how I view things. The comment therefore was not designed to be a US political comment... but a general political comment where I clarified to some that I am not anti-Cuban, a statement levied on me many times on this site.

You can find many partisan US political comments on this site, and if you are keeping tabs and doing followup on infractions, can you include those in your report as well please! If someone is going to keep tabs, it would be nice to know that it is not done in a partisan fashion... 

As a matter of fact, it would be nice if you would make an equally rude comment on this thread. Now that it has been brought to your attention, I look forward to seeing your application of the rules 'accounting by Jeanff' applied impartially!!!

Oh, I made mention that US marriage laws were originally racist in intent on a recent thread, a clear violation...! You should include that in your US political comments report as well I think.

As I think of more, I will try to remember to PM them to you... That is all that I really have to say on the matter.

Cheers! -Ray