Every week since February 19, when Fidel Castro resigned as president of Cuba, news outlets have been filled with accounts of goods and services coming back to life of the Cuban people.
Resorts timeshare owners for U.S. may be in Cuba’s future
Two weeks ago, Cubans were allowed to buy cell phones. Last week, microwave ovens, DVD, electric bicycles, pressure cookers and were available. Many of the restrictions that Fidel Castro had spent a lifetime imposed on the people of Cuba have already fallen out after a few months since his brother, Raúl Castro, took office as president of Cuba.
While most Cubans still do not have the money to pay for these luxury items, which also is changing as the government begins to provide better support to their farmers and lift some restrictions in manufacturing.
Is New Hotel and Resorts timeshare on the horizon for Cuba?
This week, a ban that prohibited Cuban citizens to stay in hotels was lifted. The Cuban nationality, with effect from April 1, are allowed to stay in hotels or use the services of a hotel as the exercise rooms. These changes are long overdue and over time should help springboard to other, equally positive developments. But as the free world shares in welcoming the return of these basic rights to Cubans, what these changes really mean for Cuba as a tourist destination?
Despite the removal of many restrictions, Cuba’s economy has been considerably to heal before most residents can afford to enjoy stays at luxury resorts. It will take more time before the country’s economic infrastructure will be able to support the development of timeshare resorts or vacation property ownership.
In the 1990’s, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cuba made tentative steps towards the development of tourism through the construction or renovation hotels to attract visitors mainly from Europe and Canada. Cuba currently has two hotels and all inclusive, and some relaxation at the beach, while others showcase Cuba’s rich history. Several developers have tried to Canada in recent years to finance and build timeshare resorts in Cuba and with the recent change of government, it is logical to expect that such projects could soon become reality.
The Canadian tourists, but not Americans vacation in Cuba… however,
The majority of U.S. citizens Travel to Cuba is a challenge because trade with the Enemy Act that prohibits U.S. citizens spending money in Cuba. Exemptions apply to journalists, government officials, researchers and people attending conferences. Other U.S. citizens, including those with relatives in Cuba or professionals such as doctors, nurses, educators or it may also be able to obtain the necessary documents to travel between the U.S. and Cuba. Click here to read the U.S. State Department of full disclosure that can travel to Cuba.
Some U.S. citizens Cuba first visit to fly to other countries, and their travel reservations directly from that country to Cuba. Once there, Cuba does not impose restrictions on U.S. spending Quite the opposite, because they are too eager to receive tourist dollars from anywhere in the world.
Yes, timeshare resorts and new hotels to be definitely the future of Cuba. However, until U.S. law changes, Americans may find that the closest it comes to Cuba on holiday is a time-share property Key West, where signs on the edge of the water reads: “90 miles to Cuba.”
