Brits tourists flock to Cuba

HAVANA (Reuters) - British tourists seeking Caribbean sun and beach have spurred the recovery of Cuba's tourism trade, which grew 13.6 percent in the first quarter of this year.

Despite world security concerns and the SARS scare, British tourists have flocked to communist-run Cuba in growing numbers, and charter companies are increasing weekly flights from eight to 12 a week.

Rebeca Jara, sales promotion director at Cuba's Ministry of Tourism, said arrivals in the first three months of 2004 were up 13.6 percent over last year's first quarter.

"We are on track to meet our target for this year of 2 million tourists," she told reporters.

(snip)

British charter operators Monarch and Britannia are adding new weekly flights to Cuba this year, Jara said, and the first charter flight from Ireland operated by SunAir will arrive in Varadero on Wednesday, she said.

Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. announced in March that it will start flights to Cuba next year as part of its expansion plans as tourism worldwide recovers from the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

more…
http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=502645§ion=news

But no... My Gov's protecting me from er...me...

oh well, george and the cuban outfit knows what is best

The Cubans on the island love Americans and welcome us and the Cuban Customs Agents won't stamp your passport.

On the other hand, Cuban batistianos in Miami will do everything in their power to keep Americans out of Cuba!!

Mainly because it's cheaper, safer, and much less crowded than Florida. I've been to Cuba once and had quite a wonderful time snorkeling in a huge barrier reef, driving around seeing the country, meeting a few of the people.

That said, there's a downside in the form of widespread prostitution, some panhandling, and a plague of fat, oversexed drunken German tourists in Speedos. The Cubans aren't crazy about them, but they seem to like Canadians.

Viva Fidel!

:hi:

I've seen both cities. No crack whores in Cuba. Miami is crawling w/them.

Miami is a hellhole. Period.

Havana rules.


Also, there are no homeless in Havana (or in all of Cuba for that matter). Zero. Housing is a constitutional right in Cuba.

Miami's street corners and under the bridges and overpasses are teeming with homeless. Miami is one of the only large US cities with NO city homeless shelter.

Did I mention that Miami is a hellhole?

In Cuba the government attempts to control prostitution, knowing that it hurts their tourist economy.

In Miami - you take your chances! IMO, Cuba is a much better place to visit than Miami!!

You're dead right about that--I realize that I was holding Cuba to a much higher moral standard that Florida! Isn't that interesting...

Can't say that I can make the same comparison you do--I've never been to Miami, and I've never had the least desire to do so. Now Havana, on the other hand...

:hi:

Culled this from the BBC. Educate yourself.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3386413.stm


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/2978257.stm

What were we supposed to get from your culled BBC links? I don't get what we are supposed to learn.

Please, explain your point.

Thanks. :hi:

Castro is cool

if you disagree with him. There is a certain pleasure to be had from his defiance but remember - a revolution betrayed is a revolution betrayed. Castro's Cuba has its many virtues and the struggles and triumphs of its people have been impressive. However, it also has its dreadful vices. We cannot forget them or turn a blind eye to them.

and MANY other countries in the world. Cuba is a great place to visit and the only thing that keeps Americans out of there is the pressure put on our pandering politicians by Cuban "exiles" in Miami (who travel back and forth from Miami to Havana on a regular basis!!)

Here's a story of a Brit in Cuba- visiting a jail no less:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/3667645.stm

Its an eye opener, considering that the US imposter government -running a torture kamp at Gitmo. - hurls accusations at Cuba.


LESSONS FROM OUR NEIGHBORS TO THE SOUTH:
THE CUBAN PRISON SYSTEM - REFLECTIVE OBSERVATIONS 2000

by Prof. Soffiyah Elijah
Clinical Instructor
Criminal Justice Institute
Harvard Law School

http://afrocubaweb.com/elijah.htm

Since the island nation of Cuba experienced its successful revolution in 1959 its prison system has been evolving. Despite accusations of harsh human rights abuses from its neighbors to the North, Cuba today maintains a prison system that is in many respects far more humane than Western propaganda would have the uninformed public believe.

more... http://afrocubaweb.com/elijah.htm

They were really up the crik right after 9/11, as the tourists disappeared, which was probably heavenly for the Batistianos in the States, and their dependent politicians and right-wing idealogues who have been waiting for the island's economy to tank.

Looks like they'll be having LOTS more company.

in the 1960's.
Mind you - Brits abroard....lol Costa Del Cuba. Fish and chip shop alert.

well it was until the british hooligan crowd started arriving on mass. They are ignorant, abusive, and did I mention C H E A P!!.

Would I be welcomed as a quasi-citizen?? What about my grandparent's property?? Would I have a claim??

Very interesting.. I was there once as a small child.

Any and all parties from all countries that lost properties due to abandonment or nationalization have settled with the Cuban government EXCEPT W/THE USA - BY US LAW. The US's 'Trading with the Enemy Act' prevents settlement from being made by US corporations, citizens, and resident aliens. Cuba wants to settle these claims.


Speak to your representative and request an immediate normalization of relations with Cuba (good luck with that if you live in Florida, where being staunchly anti Cuba is a prerequisite). Only then can your grandparents case be fairly reviewed and/or settled.

.... we can trade with communist China and call Muammar Qaddafi a great statesman (it's still about oil), but Cuba is still off limits?

What am I missing here? Oh yes... they're too poor to buy our government bonds and they don't have any oil.

---------------------------
http://www.evworld.com

n/t

This website has lots of links for all kinds of Cuba info!

snippet:
Kilometers of coastline showcase oil wells where the endless pumping of “black gold” and natural gas can be observed. The largest wells are located in Boca de Jaruco and Puerto Escondido.

http://www.usacubatravel.com/havanaprovince.htm