C U B A & IT’S TOURISM SUSTAINABILITY STRUGGLES BY MURTAZA MEHDI

Geographic

The Caribbean

Serenity

Cigars Sugar Coffee Cigars Sugar Coffee

Cuban People?

?

Hahah.. NO

Cubans Before 1492 – Aboriginal Population until Christopher Columbus arrived Before 1492 – Aboriginal Population until Christopher Columbus arrived African slaves were brought to Cuba African slaves were brought to Cuba Current population: Current population: 60% Spaniards born on the island with 30% African descendants and 10% mix 60% Spaniards born on the island with 30% African descendants and 10% mix Best education and healthcare system in Latin America Best education and healthcare system in Latin America 97% literacy rate 97% literacy rate Best healthcare system (free for Cubanos!!!) Best healthcare system (free for Cubanos!!!)

Land & Culture Unique Fusion of Spanish, Aboriginal and Africans Unique Fusion of Spanish, Aboriginal and Africans Music+ Food+ Singing / Dancing = Fiestas and divorces (Myth due to highest divorce rate) Music+ Food+ Singing / Dancing = Fiestas and divorces (Myth due to highest divorce rate) Large Catholic population Large Catholic population 47% Catholics 47% Catholics Beautiful cathedrals and monasteries Beautiful cathedrals and monasteries Rich Spanish and colonial architect and heritage Rich Spanish and colonial architect and heritage Beautiful Caribbean beaches (Strips) Beautiful Caribbean beaches (Strips)

Political Instability 1902 – Mafioso power and corruption in Havana 1902 – Mafioso power and corruption in Havana Hotels, Casinos, Entertainment, Brothels and Drugs Hotels, Casinos, Entertainment, Brothels and Drugs 1950 – Rebellious Revolution – Castro and Guevara 1950 – Rebellious Revolution – Castro and Guevara 1959 – US embargo and fall of the USSR 1959 – US embargo and fall of the USSR

Enclave Tourism Ministerio del Turismo. Ministerio del Turismo. Ristricting Cubans to attract with tourist Ristricting Cubans to attract with tourist Result of this isolation Result of this isolation Lack of cross-cultural tourism Lack of cross-cultural tourism Lack of cultural learning and transformation Lack of cultural learning and transformation Changes 1990s brought about Changes 1990s brought about

It’s the 90s 1990s – How to solve unemployment and bring money in? 1990s – How to solve unemployment and bring money in? Open the borders and let em’ in – Says Castro!!! Open the borders and let em’ in – Says Castro!!! Develop the city: Several joint ventures with international hotel chains Develop the city: Several joint ventures with international hotel chains Tourism largest source of Revenue Tourism largest source of Revenue Tourist from Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain, England, France, Mexico, Argentina, Portugal, Switzerland, Holland and Belgium among others flood in. Tourist from Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain, England, France, Mexico, Argentina, Portugal, Switzerland, Holland and Belgium among others flood in.

Tourism Tourism surpassed the sugar industry Tourism surpassed the sugar industry Cuba market share of Caribbean tourism Cuba market share of Caribbean tourism 1.9 million tourists visited Cuba in million tourists visited Cuba in 2003 Generating revenue of $2.1 billion Generating revenue of $2.1 billion

What Cuba has to offer? Adventure seekers Adventure seekers Nightlife seekers Nightlife seekers Weddings Weddings Honeymooners Honeymooners Sports vacationers Sports vacationers Cultural, Edu and Eco-tourists Cultural, Edu and Eco-tourists Health Tourist?? Health Tourist??

Pop Tourism Fads High specialization rate High specialization rate Doctors and Surgeons : Dime a dozen Doctors and Surgeons : Dime a dozen Health Tourism Health Tourism Stay at a resort and get free dental! Stay at a resort and get free dental! Book an all inclusive package and get your nose done! Book an all inclusive package and get your nose done! ,600 foreign patients traveled to Cuba ,600 foreign patients traveled to Cuba Eye/Neuro/Cosmetic and Plastic (Silicone Valley) Eye/Neuro/Cosmetic and Plastic (Silicone Valley) Generating $40 M./Yr. Generating $40 M./Yr.

Sustainable?

Cuba without Boarders -Pros No Embargo No Embargo 1 million Yankee tourist within 1 st year and more thereafter 1 million Yankee tourist within 1 st year and more thereafter Total Tourism $$ triple Total Tourism $$ triple Open trade and more global development Open trade and more global development Infrastructure development Infrastructure development

Cuba without Boarders -Cons Exploitation Exploitation Cultural, Heritage, Customs Cultural, Heritage, Customs Carrying capacity will exceed within 2 years Carrying capacity will exceed within 2 years Sustainability Issue Sustainability Issue Imports will increase in order to keep up Imports will increase in order to keep up Economical Impact Economical Impact Leakage Leakage

Sustainability & Cultural Impact Suitability Suitability Growth and development Growth and development Preservation of history, culture and architecture Preservation of history, culture and architecture Tourism within carrying capacity Tourism within carrying capacity Great Multiplier Affect due to minimal leakage in economy Great Multiplier Affect due to minimal leakage in economy No foreign exploitation No foreign exploitation

Conclusion WTO & Cuban Government take action (Regulating) WTO & Cuban Government take action (Regulating) Carrying Capacity Carrying Capacity Infrastructure Development Infrastructure Development Preserving Cuba Preserving Cuba Crime Control Crime Control

The End! Did you learn something? If not, I can teach you how to get into Cuba legally on your American passports. Apply for a Visa and state on it that it’s an educational trip! Apply for a Visa and state on it that it’s an educational trip! Enjoy the Caribbean Serenity and learn their ways! Enjoy the Caribbean Serenity and learn their ways! Thank You for your time.. Any questions?