The forbidden fruit
The U.S., according to U.S. Ambassador to the D.R., Hans Hertel, contributes 29 percent of the tourism of the D.R. in a speech to the American Chamber of Commerce on Jan 23, 2002.
The prospect of ending restrictions of U.S. tourism to Cuba is a threat to the economic viability of tourism of the D.R. and should be a concern to the Dominican government.
One must understand that the act of ending the restrictions would go in hand of loosening or ending other anti Castro embargoes that the U.S. has kept in place since the Cuban Revolution. The sanctions and embargoes have restricted in various ways the free trade between Cuba and other nations of the world, including Canada and Europe. U.S. policies have discouraged and penalized nations that trade with Cuba.
There is a lot of held back demand for tourism and trade with Cuba. If and when the barriers to Cuba are opened by the U.S. by the act of its ending embargoes, a wave of U.S. tourism will flood it and will include all the direct and indirect services associated with the industries, to include pent up Canadian and European interests also, a economic boon for Cuba. It will cut into the Dominican tourist market.
Major investors will be going to Cuba. It is a possibility investors with interests in the D.R., rather than invest some of their capital back into the D.R. they will be turning their eyes and finances to the lucrative Cuba market. Why, build or expand a resort in the D.R. when Cuba will offer more incentives for them there.
It is this scenario the D.R. should be preparing itself for. How to keep its tourism marketshare at a time when Cuba will be the place to visit? Regards, PJT
|
(74)
U.S. travel group eyes forbidden Cuba
You got it GRS!!
