Re: Changes in Cuba - What's next?

[flopnfly]

I realize that anything we say about the future of Cuba is pure speculation at this point, but I'm sure we all have ideas or concerns about what will happen to Cuba in the coming months or years.
 
 My point of view is strictly from a "resort tourist", I don't have any other experience in Cuba.
 
 I've noticed an evolution of attitudes in the past few years.
 
 The resort workers on the most part are still very friendly towards the tourists, but there are a few exceptions.  
 
 From speaking to a few of them, I've noticed that they are all very well educated and knowledgable about what is going on in the world.  They no longer see us as "filty rich Canadians"  with limitless bank books.  Most of them know the truth.
 
 But saying that, I've found the tipping expectations have increased.  Is it because they see us as "cash cows"  and a way to increase their own wealth?  
 
 I have been asked if I have any American dollars, even though it is hard for them to exchange.  This got me thinking that they are stashing the dollars away for a time when they can use them.  Perhaps sooner than we realize??  Do they know something that we don't?

[millybess]

Fascinating question Heather.
 
 I think Cubans have seen the increase in the number of tourists from European countries.  It's becoming "paradise" to Europeans as well as Canadians.  Cubans see that Europeans are willing to make the 10+ hour trek to their island vs. a jaunt to elsewhere in Europe.  So how about Americans from places like Omaha and Cleveland when Cuba is "open", which is inevitable, IMO.
 
 Apparently the Cuban government is one of the largest hotel-owning companies in the world.  Imagine who will be buying those up once Cuba is "open".  Many of these spots are well-run by well-known int'l hotel companies.
 
 When Castro's health was the headline recently, there were a lot of articles in the Florida papers about what would happen to tourism in that state -- a state that is already chockful of hotels and tourism haunts.  I think there is good reason for them to be worried.  For Americans, Cuba has been like a "forbidden fruit". Unlike many of us, a lot of people would like to vacation somewhere where they have never been.  Add to that the fact that places like Florida can't compete with the culture and history of Cuba.
 
 I think Cubans have good reason to think about what will happen to their country once the last bastion of Communism fails.  The American $ is accepted in most other countries around the world.  No doubt it will be accepted once again in Cuba.

[flopnfly]

Originally posted by millybess:
 
 
 
 I think Cubans have good reason to think about what will happen to their country once the last bastion of Communism fails.  The American $ is accepted in most other countries around the world.  No doubt it will be accepted once again in Cuba.

Good points Millybess,
 
 What happens to the property that was once privately owned, before the state took it over?  Will the rightful owners get it back, or will they need to buy it back?
 
 Were they ever the "rightful owners" in the first place?

[gromstrela999]

Yup, it is a paradise for now . Soon as the big change takes place in Cuba it will no longer be that.  When the employees start getting paid real wages, a paradise it will no longer be.