Cuba's tourism survives U.S. embargo

Cuba's tourism survives U.S. embargo

Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Havana

In this globalized world where America's food and pop culture dominate almost everywhere you turn, it seems strange not to find an outlet of a popular American chain in a country where tourism is one of its strong economic pillars.

Welcome to Cuba: a country without any sign of the golden arches -- the symbol of McDonald's, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Starbucks, Burger King or Planet Hollywood. The decades-long embargo imposed on Cuba by the U.S. government has prevented these companies from opening their enterprises here.

So forget the American lifestyle as Cuba has so many attractive natural and cultural assets to offer to its growing number of visitors.

Apart from these, Cuban traditional food, such as cocina criola (a mixture of Spanish, African and pre-Columbian delicacies) will delight those who taste it for the first time. Cuban beverages such as the Mojito (a blend of white cane sugar, lime juice and rum) and, of course, abundant Cuban coffee, rum and an assortment of liquor have made the country a paradise for tipplers.

Despite the embargo, people from the United States and some European countries, the major markets making up Asia's tourist industry, including Indonesia, are likely to choose going to Cuba and the other exotic Caribbean islands for security reasons.

Geographically, Cuba may probably gain benefits from tourism, particularly because of the recent outbreak of the war in Iraq. Many passengers are staying away from doing any risky or long distance trips which would take them past Iraq and Middle Eastern countries to some Asian tourist hubs, such as Phuket or Bali.

Emerging from its past as an isolated socialist country, Cuba is opening itself up to international tourism and has been successful in luring an estimated six million visitors each year since the late l980s. Tourism has so far generated billions of U.S. dollars in revenue to the country, which is in desperate need of cash to renovate its crumbling cultural legacies and to construct new infrastructures to support tourism.

At present, an additional 80,000 hotel rooms are being constructed to accommodate an estimated seven million tourists by the end of 2010.

Sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean sea and the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Cuba is only 180 kilometers away from Miami, Florida, in the United States, and 210 kilometers from Mexico.

Cuba boasts white pristine Caribbean beaches with international standard resorts, not to mention, its famous cigar and rum factories and extraordinary culture.

Diego Roberto, an executive at a local travel agent, said his company had been receiving an increasing number of inquiries from Europeans wishing to spend their holidays in Cuba. "They mostly come from France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Germany," Roberto said.

He said that tourists from China and Japan had also started to fly to some of Cuba's tourist resorts. "Cuba has a famous Chinatown in Havana, which was built around the early 19th century," he said.

A diverse ethnic group, comprising native Indians, Spanish descendants and immigrants from Africa and China, has inhabited Cuba for centuries, forming a distinguished mosaic of traditional and cultural wealth, which has become one of the country's prominent tourist products.

The Spaniards left behind their excellent architectural, art and cultural heritage 300 years ago as well as a population with a beautiful mix of races.

Getting to know this rich, diverse and well-preserved cultural patrimony is enough of a reason to visit this country. Cuba's capital city of Havana, for instance, is like living in an architectural laboratory. Built in the early 16th century, Havana is encircled with sturdy European fortresses, which were used to protect the city and the colonial administration from buccaneers.

The architectural value of Havana and many other Cuban cities is derived from the exquisite mixture of different styles: Spain's Moorish architecture, European Baroque and neoclassical styles. Art deco buildings as well as a modern style, resembling the sturdy Russian style of skyscrapers, also enriches these cities' skylines. Many of the palaces, villas, museums and other public buildings have been well-preserved.

City tours are the best option for first-time visitors to Cuba.

"You can register with local travel agents, take a taxi or a unique bus called the Camel," said tour guide Lilian Estevez, who speaks fluent English.

Taxis here mean vintage American and Russian cars produced in the l940s and l950s. Because of the embargo and the shortage of gasoline, the Cuban government prohibited the sale of vehicles to private citizens.

"Taxis usually cater to foreign visitors. Taking a bus would be a nightmare for us," she said. The Camel bus, which got its name from its length and shape, can accommodate up to 300 passengers. "It is a 'Saturday night' bus, meaning that passengers can squeeze in like lovers because of the lack of space on board," she said, adding that most locals prefer to walk everywhere: to the park, schools or offices.

"Look at our legs. They are so strong and muscular," she said, while pointing to hers.

Benita Lubic, a travel organizer from Washington, warned us to be cautious, especially when walking in public parks, flea markets and entertainment centers.

"Watch out for your wallets," she continuously warned us. However, it is wise to keep your important documents in the hotel's safety deposit box when you visit Cuba. But don't forget to bring small change -- such as US$1 banknotes -- to hand out to amateur musicians, clowns or pretty girls wearing traditional Cuban dresses in city parks.

When you are in a public park, you can have your picture taken with a beautiful Cuban girl wearing the colorful Caribbean costume with flowers in her hair for $5 a picture. You can also hear musicians chasing you while singing the famous song, Guantanamera (the girl from Guantanamo), which is the infamous U.S. naval base about 100 kilometers east of Havana where suspected al-Qaeda suspects are being held.