JG - EDITORIAL: Watch out, Cuba is coming

From my archive of press clippings:

Jamaica Gleaner

EDITORIAL: Watch out, Cuba is coming

Published: Saturday May 8, 2010


Industry watchers have been saying it for years. Cuba could become the number one tourist destination in the Caribbean - as soon as the decades-old United States embargo is lifted.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"Despite some softening, the US has not lifted sanctions but the news coming out of Havana indicates that 2009 was a bumper year for tourist arrivals. Last year, the Obama administration announced some easing of travel, monetary and telecommunications restrictions on our Spanish-speaking neighbour, and this has become a magnet for investors and visitors."

&

"Not too many miles from Montego Bay, the tourism mecca which has been attracting visitors from across the globe, are communities saturated with gunmen who do not hesitate to turn their weapons on innocents, including infants. How long can Jamaica continue to keep this dirty little 'secret' hidden from potential visitors? And, if the country cannot protect its own citizens, how will it protect tourists?

There is a general notion that the escalating crime in St James is linked to the lottery scam which seeks to con unsuspecting people out of their money by advising them that they are winners in a sweepstake that require them to remit money in order to claim the winnings. But this scam is more than three years old and, apparently, we are no closer to finding the masterminds and punishing them. The sense of frustration, even disappointment, at the inability of the police to stem the bloodletting in the Second City was evident when stakeholders came together this week. "

JO - Caribbean cannot base tourism on US embargo against Cuba

From my archive of press clippings:

Jamaica Observer

Caribbean cannot base tourism on US embargo against Cuba

SIR Ronald Sanders

Sunday, April 19, 2009

US President Barack Obama has fulfilled a promise made to Cuban-Americans during last year's presidential campaign to ease travel restrictions allowing them to visit Cuba as they wish, and to send money back home to their dependents.

SIR Ronald Sanders

This decision has caused more than a ripple of concern among tourism authorities in some Caribbean countries, and contradictory statements have been issued about the likely effect on their tourism industries.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"The reality is that Caribbean countries have little to fear from President Obama's policy. Easing travel for Cuban-Americans to travel to Cuba will have little or no effect on other Caribbean destinations. Very few Cuban-Americans travel on holiday to Caribbean countries.

The real impact on Caribbean tourism will come when the US and Cuba normalise relations and the 49-year-old US embargo on Cuba comes to an end."

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"Sooner or later the embargo will be lifted and Cuba will be a strong and direct competitor with other Caribbean countries for US tourists and US investment in the tourist industry. Neighbouring Caribbean countries must therefore prepare themselves for this competition and be ready to meet it."

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Responses to: ronaldsanders29@hotmail.com

Sir Ronald Sanders is a consultant and former Caribbean diplomat.

JO - With travel to Cuba lifted, how will JA fare?

From my archive of press clippings:

Jamaica Observer


With travel to Cuba lifted, how will JA fare?

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Dear Editor,


For sometime now I wondered what would be the strategy of the Jamaican government to protect its share of American tourists who visit the island now that America has reduced the restrictions on travel to Cuba from the USA.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"Cuba, and not Jamaica, was the popular getaway for Americans headed for the Caribbean. Many rich Americans in particular had vacation or second homes in Cuba where their wealth made a lot of difference.
The fact that Cuba was off-limits to Americans for so long and is now open will make it very attractive to the American visitors, especially the millions of Cuban-American citizens."

&

"(H)ow will Jamaica maintain its market share in American tourist arrivals, now that the USA is lifting the embargo for USA citizens to travel to Cuba? Please let us hear from the minister of tourism and others on this matter."

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LA Bert Ramsay

Atlanta, USA

Florissano1@hotmail.com