- Thread starter Serac
- Start date
Cuba v DR
If and when the US lifts its travel restrictions to Cuba, DR will lose quite a bit of American tourism. Americans out of curiosity and the fact it is someplace different to go will flock to Cuba especially in the beginning. As the other poster stated Canadians and Europeans already go, so there shouldn't be any decline in their numbers in DR.
You are totally wrong Serac, a free Cuba will benefit the DR and the rest of the world, Cubans will be able to buy international products (including Dominican Products).
The DR is competing with Cancun, Puerto Rico, Jamaica and the Bahamas without any problem, we're also competing with Cuba for Canadians and Europeans tourist and WE are winning.
I pray God for a free Cuba, for the Cuba and for the rest of the world.
US tourists
Many do go to Cuba, via Toronto, my last trip to Cuba had 180 people on the plane 50% were Americans, sure they are taking a chance that they can be fined if the State Department finds out, but they do go.
A free Cuba is a long ways away, when it happens the competition will increase and prices will then come down, it is a matter of economics, Supply and Demand.
Many do go to Cuba, via Toronto, my last trip to Cuba had 180 people on the plane 50% were Americans, sure they are taking a chance that they can be fined if the State Department finds out, but they do go.
A free Cuba is a long ways away, when it happens the competition will increase and prices will then come down, it is a matter of economics, Supply and Demand.
a free cuba will be a new place for the mongers who currently can't go :ermm:
on the bright side, its proximity to the US will be great for weekend getaways for some and something new for others.
i'm not sure about the cuban money vs. the dollar vs. the euro...someone enlighten us..
on the bright side, its proximity to the US will be great for weekend getaways for some and something new for others.
i'm not sure about the cuban money vs. the dollar vs. the euro...someone enlighten us..
There are 2 currencies in cuba. La moneda nacional (CUP) and the CUC (Convertible peso). The CUP is the money that is used by the cuban government to pay cubans and is also used in certain govt stores and also in public transport but is not accepted in most other places (hotels/shops etc). The CUC is the money that tourists change their foreign currency into in cuba and it is accepted everywhere. 1 CUC = 25CUP. I think that 1CUC might be about 1dollar (or something close) but all dollars are charged a 10% surcharge so taking dollars to cuba is not advisable.
The major difference between the DR and Cuba in my opinion is the music and the culture. If you like great music, then most people will find cuba irresistible. Also the religion (santeria) and the african heritage of it's population are much more pronounced and celebrated and it has resulted in the vibrancy of it's culture.
Also the tourism industry is significantly based on staying in casas particulares (private homes) where you can stay with a cuban family and have the opportunity to experience the culture.......right up inches in your face. It can be an incredible experience even more for anyone with some ability to speak spanish and really interact with the family/neighbors/friends etc.
Cuba is a highly disciplined and orderly society and if they can hold on to those aspects of their society in a free cuba, they definitely will go places.
It has been awhile since I went there but even now, I still yearn everyday for the next time that I will go there.
Sholly
I doubt it. If Cuba ever becomes "free", you can kiss all that dicipline goodbye. Cuba will be just another DR withint 10 years. Corruption will sweep through that country like wild fire
Only American dollars are charged the 10% surcharge - not Canadian dollars or Euros.
My brothers wife is Cuban from Baracoa(south East Corner) Cuba is a highly controlled society(by force) which is much different than a highly disciplined and orderly society. There is a lot of coruption and theft, cheating the government...etc in Cuba. Cubans if given the freedom and the means will indulge in a orgy of capitalism and greed for material goods for a couple of years before they settle into a system that will retain some of the socialist and some of the new capitalism.