Cuba to US Gringos: We're Waiting Here With Golf and Cigars
by Ryan Ballengee on Mar 26, 2010 11:40 AM EDT
in Playing Golf
Email
PrintEver since President Obama took office, there has been quite a bit of speculation in the tourism industry that he would lift the travel ban for Americans to Cuba. Obama has already done so for Cuban-Americans seeking to return home, but remarks the President made earlier this week resurrects hope that Yanks could go in the Hot Tub Time Machine to the era of Packards and lots of urban frescoes.
For one, I would be on the first plane to Havana.
Bloomgberg Biz Week took a brief look at how Cuba is preparing for a potential lift of the ban. The country's tourism board is preparing to quadruple its room capacity to 200,000 rooms, as well as build up to ten golf courses aimed squarely at Americans. It's the Cuban Tourism Crisis.
Best line of the piece? From Havana book salesman Daniel Garcia.
"The gringos can’t help but spend their money. They are the easiest tourists to sell to. They never ask for discounts."
25 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Reminds Himself to Ask for discounts when finaly allowed into Cuba
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
I don't know about the state of golf in Cuba
but I’ve heard lots of positive comments about everything else from people who have visited in the last couple of years.
yes – like the wonderful state of human rights…freedom…a populace that behaves at the point of a military rifle…
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Lifting the ludicrous US travel ban
would make a world (rather than state) of difference. The Castros aren’t going to be around that much longer.
sigh – a country that has never gone back on their desire to blow up this country – no matter how ridiculous after the nuclear missiles were removed.
how about the general dislike for Eastern European people flooding into the UK ?
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
The ruling Castros perhaps, Court - not the people
Most of the eastern Europeans coming into UK have been greatly valued for their work ethic, whether in skilled professions, e.g. plumbers, or crop-pickers, although they are now returning home in droves due to economy/exchange rates. Unfortunately and unsurprisingly there has also been a high criminal element which leads to negative perception. There are also certain counties/towns where the locals do resent high influx. Obviously you are not referring to those high-spending Russkies, are you?
I’m not sure how US “seduction” of Cuba and Eastern European temporary immigration to UK are related, however?
exactly – and those people have been doing everything possible to get OUT of that country for 60+ years – and no – they’re not just saving money on cruises or flights for a vacation.
US “seduction” ??? LMAO !!!!! You’re kidding…right ?
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
I think you've got hold of the wrong end of the stick, Court
I respondedpolitely to your query about Eastern European immigration into UK, because you asked, but I didn’t and still don’t understand how this is related to American toursim to Cuba.
I use the word “seduction” meaning social interaction with locals (as well as dollars, of course) would do more to chip away at the regime than a ban on US visits and/or imports has.
You appear fixated on Cubans flooding into the US, which wasn’t what the blog was about.
the problem isn’t a “flood” of Cubans – there aren’t that many – we have enough problem with Mexico.
The US and Cuba haven’t moved since Castro brought down the soviet communist military arm down on the people of that country. The US economic “seduction” hasn’t made an impact. What HAS made a difference was the lack of Castro in the US and their ability to float to freedom on the shores of Florida.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Common guys
this isn’t about golf…It’s about the smooth rum, great Cuban sandwiches, saucy women, smooth rum, the best cigars, saucy women, smooth rum and did I mention great food…The people are a delight, even if they don’t want to give discounts…who cares after enough rum, saucy women…well, you get the idea…beat ya to the plane Ryan….STUB….
Follow this man to Havana!
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Mar 26, 2010 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions
You can check out.
A sampling of the people, hospitality, food and cigars in the Little Havana section of Miami. Its worth a visit if you ever get to the area. And the chicks on the beaches and boulevard are not bad either.
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
Jumpin, does your GF know you
ogle the ladies on the beach? For shame on you…Pay never no mind to CG, he’s just being grumpy and out of sorts more than usual today…Can you imagine anyone arguing with lovely Wendy?..Tampa also has a great Cuban section…my son went with one of the young ladies for a bit, and she was gorgeous…on one trip, her folks took us to a club they have just for ex-pats, and the hospitality, food, drink and cigars plus the dancing and music were out of sight…Her father used to roll cigars in Cuba, and still did some in the US…They used to have an annual parade there put on by the Yacht Club, where everyone dressed like Pirates, with professional make up, and the uniforms were as authentic as they could get…much fun and celebrating…3 day worth…It was called GASPARILLA…not sure of the spelling here….If all that hospitality was any indication, I’ll be glad to go….The reason for not allowing tourists seems sort of redundant now anyway….STUB
Nothing I like better than a good argument Stub
Visiting Russia some years ago, there were still a minority who regretted the loss of a communist state (especially during the dire financial straits which immediately followed),
and there are still a few who regret a preceived loss of Russian power in the world, but the vast majority of people, particularly the younger generation, are now extremely pro-West.
Cuba will go the same way, IMO, and US tourism will hasten change. The people and hospitality are delightful according to friends who have visited Cuba over the last couple years – they have zero interest in blowing up anybody.
I’m sometimes tempted to insert the word “communism” into all of my posts, just to see CG hide behind his sofa and make the sign of the cross.
Oh my gawd Wend
your tough…no wonder your poor suffering husband capitulates so quickly..lol…As I said, all the old reasons for the tourism ban are now just redundant….besides, it would make it easier to get my smooooth Cubanos…..Only one more week to go before putting out the potatoes eh? how big is that garden of yours…about all I can handle are tomatoes and a couple pots of herbs…I’m trying the Topsy Turvey method of tomatoes this year…should be interesting…nothing better than a tomato/onion sandwich with a cold brew, unless it’s some of ‘Jumpins Lobsters he’s going to send me this fall….STUB
LOL
No problem Stub on sending Lobsters, 5.59 boat price at the moment. My girlfriend just bought 6 of those Topsey Turvey upside down tomato planters also. We are gonna try them in Florida as well as our summer place up in NH. My neighbors say they work quite well, without bugs, and weeding and critters eating them.
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
Jump...I usually went to the farmers
market and got them, the big juicy beef steak variety…one slice covered the whole piece of bread..so it will be interesting to see how big these get…Hey, looks like the price has gone up a little on those critters…They were really depressed last fall…just before you fell ….naw, I won’t tell on ya….STUB
STUB, Hey I admitted the fall LOL
Last seasons year end price of Maine Lobster for 3.99 lb. was the lowest in a decade. The boats caught many, but there were not enough tourist around to support the restaurants, fish markets ect ect. I’d be surprised to see them at that price this year. My brother tells me the consumer price in July/August will be about $7.99 a pound, with Deisel fuel going up and the economy and tourism down. We shall see.
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
Be happy to Wendy
Better to wait till the boats start gonig out next month. My brother starts April 12. Lowest prices are August and Sept. plus shipping in wax box, plus dry ice overnight or 2nd day air to the UK.
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Have a golf story tip? Contact editor Charles Boyer and he will follow the story! Thanks!
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
