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Danny
Grand Pooh-Bah of the Board
Posts: 296
Registered: Feb 2008
 
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 Posted February 19th, 2008 10:45 AM IP   
This is probably years away but with today's announcement that Fidel Castro is resigning as President of Cuba the Bahamas should, in my opinion, be shuddering in apprehension. When, and I say that intentionally instead of "if", the U.S. ends its embargo and begins open travel and trade with Cuba it could bode very badly for the entire economy of the Bahamas. The government, and especially the Tourism "experts", of the Bahamas better get their heads out of their butts, and quickly, or the entire country could suffer immensely when U.S. citizens start taking what would be extremely cheap vacations to a very closely located neighbor, in large numbers. When you realize the average monthly income in Cuba is $19 (that ain't a typo folks), Cuban vacation packages would most likely be far less expensive than those for the Bahamas. I wonder if those in authority in the Bahamas are taking serious note of this.
Danny
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Flamingo
Here a Lot
Posts: 105
Registered: Feb 2008
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Posted February 19th, 2008 11:24 AM IP
Danny:
Can US Citizens travel to Cuba from the Bahamas now?
Thanks,
Flamingo
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Danny
Grand Pooh-Bah of the Board
Posts: 296
Registered: Feb 2008
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Posted February 19th, 2008 11:47 AM IP
Quote:
Flamingo wrote:
Danny:
Can US Citizens travel to Cuba from the Bahamas now?
Thanks,
Flamingo
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I don't know, but Americans go (from what embarkation point I also do not know), in spite of the law saying they can't unless there are special circumstances. You almost never here of any repercussions when they do it. Europeans have been going for several years now and their tourism business is how Cuba got back on it's feet in the 90s again after their economy collapsed when the USSR went down the tubes and ended their foreign aid.
Danny
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Dasher
New Member
Posts: 10
Registered: Feb 2008
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Posted February 19th, 2008 03:01 PM IP
Americans do travel to Cuba from various points - Canada, Jamaica, Bahamas etc. although you'd be hard pressed to find someone to admit they're American.
Now as to the topic Danny initially mentioned...Danny you raise some very important issues that do need to be addressed immediately by the Bahamian Tourism Officials. Although I am a very proud homeowner on GBI and invite many many friends and family to the island, it is a very expensive trip for most and with the additional headache of finding convenient and afforable flights that do not take 6 hours to finally reach FPO has been a turn off for many friends.
Every year three other couples and ourselves will take a 1-2 week all-inclusive vacation to some part of Cuba (we are Canadian citizens) and I hate to say this but our last trip to Varadero from Toronto for a one-week all-inclusive stay cost us $1300 Cdn for the 2 of us! We can rarely, if ever, find a flight alone to FPO for the both of us for that price and we usually book plenty in advance. The beaches are always well kept, the people are super friendly and work hard for tips which are not included automatically included. And, you really feel the island experience as they celebrate their culture in everything they do from the moment you step off the plane.
The container port can work for GBI is they shift their focus away from tourism to their betterment but I think its time my beloved island wake up and put their gears into action. The reprecussions could be tremendous. Needless to say, nothing would take place immediately but it is time they think their course of action.
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Caravel Rosie
New Member
Posts: 20
Registered: Feb 2008
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Posted February 19th, 2008 04:11 PM IP
I was going to say the same about cost. From the UK a week's holiday in March to Cuba is about £600 - cheapest flight London to Nassau over £800, then add-on flight to Fpo and accommodation. Here is lots of information -
http://www.captivatingcuba.com/
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VaHoney
New Member
Posts: 9
Registered: Feb 2008
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Posted February 19th, 2008 05:22 PM IP
Hey, Danny,
I went to Rosie's site and the first thing that popped in my vision was their ad for golf. From all your past posts, looks like a future rainbow for you. LOL
Alyce
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charles
Here a Lot
Posts: 115
Registered: Feb 2008
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Posted February 19th, 2008 06:01 PM IP
Switching the Bahamas' priority from protectionism to open competion is counter-culture. I've seen no evidence of sincere attempts at long range planning, and fear the future is viewed as the next election. Chas
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lk-w
Movin' on up!
Posts: 32
Registered: Feb 2008
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Posted February 21st, 2008 07:57 AM IP
Im in agreement with all the posts regarding concern for Grand Bahama in particular of all the Bahamas islands being affected by a tourism draw to Cuba. Charles' comment in particular is a sad reality and again raises the question - how come all us outsiders can see the potential of GBI but none of the GBIers can rise up and take action to create a better culture for visiting tourists? The answer may be - they just arent that interested in drawing tourists and 'putting out' for the visitors. Let's admit it folks - sometimes serving a demanding and fickle customer is hard to feel great about or feel/be successful at doing. Particularly when what you want out of life is something different.
The trip cost and allure of the unknown may be a draw for some occasional Carribean vacationers, but will Cuba's culture, people, and government in the future be any more interested in larger volumes of tourist visitors and the needed infrastructure and service economy that would require? ..
Why Am I Here ... and not on GBI ? ?
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