Cuba Tourism; Battle of Ideas in the Country Frozen in Time (updated with gallery)

In the past 15 years or so, tourism has surpassed sugar to become the number one industry of the island nation of Cuba. Not since the pre-revolution 1950’s has Cuba received so much wealth from international visitors.

Following the revolution, when private property and enterprises were deemed illegal by the new government, Tourism went from aproximately 350,000 visitors per year, to just 4,000. Most hotels, bars, and all casino’s were closed. They were seen as symbols for corruption, inequality,  and a foreign pillaging of the country. The Hotel and Casino industry in the 1950’s was responsible for Cuba’s so called golden era, when the country was richer per capita than Spain or Japan. Havana in particular was the wealthiest city in the Caribbean, and at the time it was turning over more revenue dollars than the mighty Las Vegas. This wealth was hardly spread equally, however. It was a source of discontent – and empowered the ideology of Fidelismo leading the the revolution at the end of that decade.

There’s plenty of contradiction when, 50 years later, under the same regime that ousted that corrupt government of the 1950’s, hotels exclusively for the use of foreigners have again become the country’s top earners. The overwhelming majority of Cuba’s population has never stayed at any resort on the country’s soil. In the 1990’s when mass tourism began to return to Cuba, Fidel Castro was on the defensive as gross inequality returned to the island (Washington Post article). Tourism has undoubtedly helped Cuba emerge from a recession (and famine) in the wake of the Soviet Union’s demise, but has also brought a return of significant inequality to the nation. Contrary to the socialist ideals of the 1959 revolution, yet of unquestionable benefit to the population of Cuba, the final outcome of tourism and its influx of wealth into the country remains to be seen. The battle of ideas is still underway in the nation frozen in time.

You can follow this link for a gallery from Varadero/Matanzas. 

Crumbling, vibrant Havana soon.

I will have new galleries from frequented Varadero, and crumbling, vibrant Havana soon.