Cuba is the new tourist hotspot with tourism booking rates up a whopping 157 percent in February, and 250 percent this month. In January there was a 16 percent increase but before that there were only around 371,000 tourists in the prior year, with over 3 million making their way over in the past year, this is part due to the talks between US and Cuba.
Cuba, once thought to be one of the last mainstays of islands devoid of capitalist markers such as Starbucks and McDonalds, has now caught the attention of many world travelers seeking to soak up sun and the individual and unique appeal of the island country. This is after recent news that the U.S. would renew ties with Havana, most likely bringing American capitalism with it after their long bout with communism.
“Cuba has a very authentic atmosphere which you see nowhere else in the world,” Gay Ben Aharon of Israel said while walking through Revolution Square. “I wanted to see it before the American world … but also the modern Western world comes here.”
If all restrictions are removed it is estimated that 1.5 million Americans will make the trek to Cuba annually making Cuba the number 1 source of tourism and adding an additional $2 billion.
Tourism is one of Cuba’s main industries adding $2.6 billion dollars in revenue to the stale economy.
“Cuba has a very authentic atmosphere which you see nowhere else in the world,” Gay Ben Aharon of Israel said while walking through Revolution Square. “I wanted to see it before the American world … but also the modern Western world comes here.”
While many swarm to the island before imminent changes occur, saddened by the island potentially losing its homegrown charm, others welcome the changes. Tourists lament that the authentic island appeal the county offers may be buried under new bright lights and neon signs of “Eat at Joes”, but the locals say they welcome redevelopment to dilapidated and decayed buildings, and the new opportunities that capitalism offers, such as newer products and new cars adorning the unpaved roads.
“We’re very excited,” said Yadiel Carmenate, a 26-year-old English major at the University of Matanzas who moonlights as a tour guide.
Though it is unlikely the changes will take place right very soon, the announcement made in December is still enough to herald in a new influx of tourist coming in at these record numbers.
