The Travel Industry's Push to Unlock Cuba

[Say_What]

<clips>

Politicians who favor a change in U.S. policy toward Cuba are getting new ammunition from the travel industry. Still struggling to recover from the effects of September 11 and the economy's downturn, the travel trade is mounting an aggressive lobbying campaign to get restrictions on travel to Cuba lifted when Congress returns in the fall. The industry argues that the island nation is a potential source of sorely needed revenues that would boost both the travel business and the U.S. economy. But getting Washington to lift the ban remains an uphill battle.

Just 90 miles from the coast of Florida, Cuba was a popular destination for U.S. travelers before Fidel Castro seized power on New Year's Eve, 1959. Castro imposed socialism and forged a cozy relationship with the Soviet Union, which prompted the U.S. government to restrict travel and trade in 1963 in the hope of ousting the dictator. The restrictions remain to this day. Yet, the aging Castro is still in power. (Cuban Americans can visit once a year. Others are allowed to visit for humanitarian, academic, or journalistic purposes.)

ECONOMIC GAINS. The Association of Travel-Related Industry Professionals (ATRIP), formed last June, is heading the lobbying efforts to lift the travel ban. The industry's argument: Easing restrictions could boost the U.S. economy in the long term by as much as $1.6 billion annually and create as many as 23,000 new jobs, according to The Brattle Group, an economic consulting firm that studied the issue for the Center for International Policy, a Washington think tank. U.S. businesses that stand to gain the most are airlines, cruise ships, tour operators, travel agents, and American-owned or operated hotels.

In Congress, U.S. Representative Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) is a leading advocate for easing the rules. "The U.S. government argues that trade, commerce, and contact will help the people in Communist China, North Korea, and Vietnam, but the U.S. government touts a different tune regarding Cuba," he contends. "It simply makes no sense. At what point will the U.S. government concede the Cuba policy is not working and change its policies?"

http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/aug2003/nf20030827_7686_db039.htm

[Say_What]

1. kick

.

[Judi Lynn]

2. So the House most likely will vote to remove the travel ban to Cuba AGAIN

That's happened several years in a row, and it's gotten squashed each time. It looks as if the movement is gaining strength, too. No one's EVEN going to think about giving up on it now.

Our business and farming communities look as if they think they've simply got to move ahead as much as possible and blaze a trail, themselves, as they surely aren't getting any help from _Bush.

All it takes to OVERRIDE Bush's veto is 2/3rds. We've already got that in the House, it appears.

I'm REALLY going to contact people on this again. Once enough Americans see what's possible here, like getting our travel rights returned, they'll move this thing along faster and faster, no doubt!

It's been a steady movement toward success for years, even against the worst rightwingnuts our Congress, and White House, and Miami have to offer!

[NekoChris]

3. My mom's tin foil hat

says that the government probably has something in Cuba they don't want people to know about.

It's the first time I've heard her say anything that was remotely conspiracy theorist, and it made me wonder just what in the world Cuba could have that they're so scared of us finding out about.

It might be bunk but it makes for some interesting mystery atmosphere.

THE DARK SECRET OF CUBA

[guajira]

4. The Dark Secret of Cuba

Miami Batistianos constantly claim they want to help Cuba, but in fact they do not want Cuba to be economically sound while Castro is in charge.

They want Cuba to be poor because they don't want Castro to have any credibility. They want to keep Americans out of Cuba so we won't like Cuba, and we won't know what it's really like there.

MiamiCubans travel back and forth from Miami to Havana, and their Cuban relatives travel from the island to Miami and back to Cuba. This is the DARK SECRET of Cuba!!!

[guajira]

5. Check Out How Many Regular Flights There are Between US and Cuba!

Book your flight!!

snippet:
Since the two governments started easing travel restrictions in 1999, thousands of passengers have flown to Cuba on chartered aircraft ranging from 19-seat Beechcrafts to United's huge Boeing 777s.

On any given day, at least two flights depart Miami International for Havana. And during Christmas or Easter, the number soars to as many as 12 daily.

Behind this fast-growing business is a high-stakes marketing battle among four of the world's largest airlines--American, Continental, Delta and United.
more....

And this part really pisses me off:

This year, charter operations are to be expanded to Atlanta, when Delta launches service. New Orleans and Ft. Lauderdale also are hoping to soon launch charters.


http://new.blackvoices.com/travel/sns-cubaflights,0,2120065.story?coll=bv-travel-headlines

[Say_What]

6. Smart lady, your mom

the thing that Uncle Sam doesn't want you to know is that they've been lying to you and the rest of the 'murKans for more than 4 decades. In spite of the worlds longest running embargo designed to stangle the Cuban economy and force their people to overthrow their government, little Cuba has managed to educate all of her people and provide them all with food, shelter, and world class health care. If you look at the CIA World Factbook on Cuba, you will see what many other organizations know, that their stats for longevity, education, infant mortality rate, and healthcare are equal to or EXCEED those of the US. Imagine how far their accomplishments might have gone if there were no embargo.

When people do go there to visit they find out that none of what they've been told is true. They are astonished that they can travel anywhere on the island that they like, that there are 11,000,000 Cubans and not just one Bearded One, that many of them love and support their government, but probably the best part is when they find out how warm and gracious the Cuban people are and that they who hold no aminosity toward the American public (Uncle Sam however, is a different deal). ;-) Their culture is beyond rich--we should be so fortunate.

---

This article from the Cbicago Tribune a few years ago illustrates how people react when they go there and see for themselves:

<clips>
Texan sees much to amaze in Cuba

HAVANA -- Mark W. Stiles, a Texas Democrat, spent four days recently exploring the streets of Havana and couldn't believe what he saw.

"It's 180 degrees different than what I expected," said the businessman and hunting buddy of the more famous Texas "W."

"The streets are clean," he marveled. "People are real friendly. There's no AK-47 on every corner. Nobody's living on the streets and everybody's teeth are good. People are continually asking us questions."

The former state legislator says he came away charmed by the warmth of Cuban people and surprised by some of the island's successes, especially in health and education.

http://64.21.33.164/CNews/y01/may01/15e8.htm

[Mika]

7. Only Americans don't know

"My mom's tin foil hat says that the government probably has something in Cuba they don't want people to know about.
It's the first time I've heard her say anything that was remotely conspiracy theorist, and it made me wonder just what in the world Cuba could have that they're so scared of us finding out about.
It might be bunk but it makes for some interesting mystery atmosphere."



Funny how its only the American government that prevents its citizens from seeing Cuba for themselves. Its only a mystery to Americans.. who have an interest. People from just about every other country go there and have almost nothing but positive things to say about MODERN Cuba and the Cuban people. Many Americans who do go there are surprised at how entrepreneurial Cubans are, and how much capitalism is being incorporated into their system.

Its not yer grandad's Cuba any more.