Tourism and the Transformation of Cuba

Isolated by a United States embargo and no longer able to rely on the Soviet Union, its former trading partner, Cuba is now looking at tourism as a generator of hard currency. Already hotel chains based in Canada and Europe have expanded their operations in Cuba, and tourism arrivals have been growing steadily. Serious problems remain, however. The island will require substantial investment to build up an infrastructure that has suffered from 30 years of neglect. The economy is in disrepair; salaries for many professionals are effectively lower than those of tipped employees in the travel industry. Worse, many people have turned to prostitution to earn the hard currency needed to survive. Nevertheless, through careful development of its natural areas, Cuba could become an example of Caribbean ecotourism. Moreover, it seems unlikely that the U.S. embargo will continue in the face of international competition for Cuba's business.