I think many cubans see americans as prosective terrorists and invaders which dates back to our invasion during the Bay of Pigs
I'm sorry, that is nonsense and propaganda put out by your government. When I was there I met a few Americans who had travelled there via Mexico. Each of them (separate parties to each other) said that the Cubans treated them fantastically everywhere they went and were almost 'extra' nice to them because they knew the tourists had made an extra effort to get there. Try reading the US Government 'travel warning' along side the UK 'warning' and wonder if one might be slightly exaggerated (or even BS!)
Cuba
Travel Advice by Country Foreign & Commonwealth Office
If you believe the US one, armed robbery is common place, medical care is poor and you are likely to be shot down by Cuban Air force or taken hostage by people trying to flee. According to the British Government web site
"During the weekend of 29 and 30 October 2005 in Havana there were two incidents of robberies from foreign nationals by violence and stabbing." If the UK, USA or DR could go a year with two incidents of violent crime against tourists, I think we'd all be happy.
Cuba is currently 'odd'. I loved the place and would go back in an instant. If it wasn't for the fact I've chosen to invest in DR I'd probably have returned already. Havana is a great city with vibrant people despite the US embargo making life difficult.
Prostitution is rife and open. We would sit on the veranda of a city centre hotel and the prostitutes would just walk round and round the block.
The people are very poor and you have to look a little harder to see it, as an official tour gives you the government 'line'. However, it is possible to talk politics with people if you are subtle and understand that people would be potentially at risk if over heard. I always felt that I was responsible for them if I was going to ask contentious questions. I had a couple of people who felt safe enough to talk to me and to be critical of Castro. One guy was wanting powdered milk for his family. We reckoned it was a scam somewhere along the line but he was interesting to chat with. We took him into a bar and over a beer, I said, "I'll buy you milk if you answer a question honestly", I looked around and silently stroked my chin (a sign that locals use to let each other know they are talking about Castro). He was surprised by this and smiled. I then gently did a 'thumb up/thumb down' sign. He looked around and did a 'thumb down', before saying "if it was the other, I wouldn't need to ask you for milk". It was bizarre that we bought him three beers while talking to him, at US$2 each, when the average wage was about $10 per month. Then we bought him milk, scam or not, he needed it.
Politically, yes there are political prisoners in Cuba, although it could be argued that most of them are in Guantanamo Bay.
Intellectually, the people are generally far better educated than practically anywhere I've ever been. They have more doctors per head of population than any other country in the world. Despite the embargo, they have an infant mortality rate marginally worse than the UK but better than the USA (according to the WHO).
(After I typed this I went looking for the figures, since I've not looked since we went there four years ago. The US have now drawn level. The scary thing is to compare Cuba with Dom Rep).
WHO | Cuba Cuba
WHO | Dominican Republic Dominican Republic
WHO | United States of America USA
WHO | United Kingdom UK
Tourism is skewing the economy. We had a doctor driving us in his cab and a lawyer as the bell-boy. Both spoke perfect English and both were pro the government but would like to be able to travel.
We walked everywhere in Havana. If someone attacks a tourist, they are in BIG trouble (10 to 15 years for mugging a tourist). The AI we stayed at for the first week was easily as good as anything we've stayed at in DR and much better than anything on Playas Doradas. The second week we stayed on the outskirts of Havana, in an old 'Russian' style hotel that while modernised, felt 'cold' and impersonal. The Russian Embassy is the biggest building in Havana, and by far the ugliest.
So, getting back to the question, will DR tourism be affected when Castro goes? No, I don't think so.
Firstly, the infrastructure isn't there to immediately 'catch up', both hotels were almost full when we were there, so capacity won't allow for many more. The demographic may change slightly as more US citizens decide to visit, but they have the fear that they've been fed to get over first.
Secondly, Raul Castro is likely to 'hold the fort', so we are really talking about when he goes that things will change. It may be during this time that the Cubans in Florida attempt to take matters into their own hands, if they do, it will be a far from bloodless change of power. Raul will now be in a stronger position due to Chavez in Venezuela propping Cuba up.
Thirdly, once democracy, in what ever form returns, expect all kinds of land grabs and problems related to such. Who owns what? Do people in Florida, who still claim land that their forefathers had to leave when they fled have a stronger claim than someone who has farmed that land for half a century? Almost all land was 'grabbed' if you go back far enough, so how long before you 'own' it? Again, expect instability during this period of time as there is a struggle for ownership. And that will go for real-estate in Havana as much as farm land or coastal plots.
Finally, DR is at a potential 'crossroads'. If the government (ever?) decide to really tackle corruption and invest in the 'people' instead of themselves, they will grow rapidly. Tourist are demanding more and DR is perhaps unique in being able to offer it. Despite the fears sometimes expressed on here, crime is not endemic. Walk Liverpool or Santiago on my own at night? Ill choose Santiago thanks! That is not to say that it is not increasing, obviously it is and the government must tackle it NOW, while it still can. DR can easily diversify. Eco-tourism is a massively booming industry. I read some figures recently that the number of people who mention 'eco' as a factor behind their holiday choice has increased 300% in two years. Still relatively small compared to the 'a beach & a book' trade... at the moment. But all signs are it will continue to grow. If the DR is ready, it will catch the wave. Already, there are signs that tourists are moving away from the AI's. I'd be surprised if the government haven't realised that tourism is the only realistic way of maintaining growth in GDP. Therefore, how long will they risk it being damaged by 'crime' real or perceived? One of the reasons that we decided to buy property there was if (
when) duty is imposed on long haul flights, to try and reduce it for ecological reason, the Europeans will not go to DR in as many numbers but I think Canadians & US will go more, so our investment should be safe, even if we never get there ourselves!
Cuba is a beautiful, friendly, enigmatic country. Dom Rep is that bit more refined... and has a head start that they would have to be both blind AND stupid to miss.
