Cuba's tourism survives U.S. embargo<\/p>\n
Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Havana<\/p>\n
In this globalized world where America's food and pop culture
\ndominate almost everywhere you turn, it seems strange not to find
\nan outlet of a popular American chain in a country where tourism
\nis one of its strong economic pillars.<\/p>\n
Welcome to Cuba: a country without any sign of the golden
\narches -- the symbol of McDonald's, Kentucky Fried Chicken,
\nStarbucks, Burger King or Planet Hollywood. The decades-long
\nembargo imposed on Cuba by the U.S. government has prevented
\nthese companies from opening their enterprises here.<\/p>\n
So forget the American lifestyle as Cuba has so many
\nattractive natural and cultural assets to offer to its growing
\nnumber of visitors.<\/p>\n
Apart from these, Cuban traditional food, such as cocina
\ncriola (a mixture of Spanish, African and pre-Columbian
\ndelicacies) will delight those who taste it for the first time.
\nCuban beverages such as the Mojito (a blend of white cane sugar,
\nlime juice and rum) and, of course, abundant Cuban coffee, rum
\nand an assortment of liquor have made the country a paradise for
\ntipplers.<\/p>\n
Despite the embargo, people from the United States and some
\nEuropean countries, the major markets making up Asia's tourist
\nindustry, including Indonesia, are likely to choose going to Cuba
\nand the other exotic Caribbean islands for security reasons.<\/p>\n
Geographically, Cuba may probably gain benefits from tourism,
\nparticularly because of the recent outbreak of the war in Iraq.
\nMany passengers are staying away from doing any risky or long
\ndistance trips which would take them past Iraq and Middle Eastern
\ncountries to some Asian tourist hubs, such as Phuket or Bali.<\/p>\n
Emerging from its past as an isolated socialist country, Cuba
\nis opening itself up to international tourism and has been
\nsuccessful in luring an estimated six million visitors each year
\nsince the late l980s. Tourism has so far generated billions of
\nU.S. dollars in revenue to the country, which is in desperate
\nneed of cash to renovate its crumbling cultural legacies and to
\nconstruct new infrastructures to support tourism.<\/p>\n
At present, an additional 80,000 hotel rooms are being
\nconstructed to accommodate an estimated seven million tourists by
\nthe end of 2010.<\/p>\n
Sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean sea and
\nthe waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Cuba is only 180 kilometers
\naway from Miami, Florida, in the United States, and 210
\nkilometers from Mexico.<\/p>\n
Cuba boasts white pristine Caribbean beaches with
\ninternational standard resorts, not to mention, its famous cigar
\nand rum factories and extraordinary culture.<\/p>\n
Diego Roberto, an executive at a local travel agent, said his
\ncompany had been receiving an increasing number of inquiries from
\nEuropeans wishing to spend their holidays in Cuba. \"They mostly
\ncome from France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Germany,\"
\nRoberto said.<\/p>\n
He said that tourists from China and Japan had also started to
\nfly to some of Cuba's tourist resorts. \"Cuba has a famous
\nChinatown in Havana, which was built around the early 19th
\ncentury,\" he said.<\/p>\n
A diverse ethnic group, comprising native Indians, Spanish
\ndescendants and immigrants from Africa and China, has inhabited
\nCuba for centuries, forming a distinguished mosaic of traditional
\nand cultural wealth, which has become one of the country's
\nprominent tourist products.<\/p>\n
The Spaniards left behind their excellent architectural, art
\nand cultural heritage 300 years ago as well as a population with
\na beautiful mix of races.<\/p>\n
Getting to know this rich, diverse and well-preserved cultural
\npatrimony is enough of a reason to visit this country. Cuba's
\ncapital city of Havana, for instance, is like living in an
\narchitectural laboratory. Built in the early 16th century, Havana
\nis encircled with sturdy European fortresses, which were used to
\nprotect the city and the colonial administration from buccaneers.<\/p>\n
The architectural value of Havana and many other Cuban cities
\nis derived from the exquisite mixture of different styles:
\nSpain's Moorish architecture, European Baroque and neoclassical
\nstyles. Art deco buildings as well as a modern style, resembling
\nthe sturdy Russian style of skyscrapers, also enriches these
\ncities' skylines. Many of the palaces, villas, museums and other
\npublic buildings have been well-preserved.<\/p>\n
City tours are the best option for first-time visitors to
\nCuba.<\/p>\n
\"You can register with local travel agents, take a taxi or a
\nunique bus called the Camel,\" said tour guide Lilian Estevez, who
\nspeaks fluent English.<\/p>\n
Taxis here mean vintage American and Russian cars produced in
\nthe l940s and l950s. Because of the embargo and the shortage of
\ngasoline, the Cuban government prohibited the sale of vehicles to
\nprivate citizens.<\/p>\n
\"Taxis usually cater to foreign visitors. Taking a bus would
\nbe a nightmare for us,\" she said. The Camel bus, which got its
\nname from its length and shape, can accommodate up to 300
\npassengers. \"It is a 'Saturday night' bus, meaning that
\npassengers can squeeze in like lovers because of the lack of
\nspace on board,\" she said, adding that most locals prefer to walk
\neverywhere: to the park, schools or offices.<\/p>\n
\"Look at our legs. They are so strong and muscular,\" she said,
\nwhile pointing to hers.<\/p>\n
Benita Lubic, a travel organizer from Washington, warned us to
\nbe cautious, especially when walking in public parks, flea
\nmarkets and entertainment centers.<\/p>\n
\"Watch out for your wallets,\" she continuously warned us.
\nHowever, it is wise to keep your important documents in the
\nhotel's safety deposit box when you visit Cuba. But don't forget
\nto bring small change -- such as US$1 banknotes -- to hand out to
\namateur musicians, clowns or pretty girls wearing traditional
\nCuban dresses in city parks.<\/p>\n
When you are in a public park, you can have your picture taken
\nwith a beautiful Cuban girl wearing the colorful Caribbean
\ncostume with flowers in her hair for $5 a picture. You can also
\nhear musicians chasing you while singing the famous song,
\nGuantanamera (the girl from Guantanamo), which is the infamous
\nU.S. naval base about 100 kilometers east of Havana where
\nsuspected al-Qaeda suspects are being held.<\/p>",
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