Fidel’s illness could have impact on Cuban tourism

The general consensus is that Raul Castro is more pragmatic than his brother, Fidel, and more inclined to look favorably on expanding the country’s tourist market.

Media attention was focused on Cuba recently when Fidel named Raul his successor while he underwent an operation. How serious Fidel’s condition is remains to be determined.

But Raul is generally given credit for forming Gaviota, Cuba’s tourism agency in 1988. Fidel reportedly had reservations, according to e-tid.com.

Today, Cuba’s economy is kept afloat by tourism. Canada is Cuba’s largest market, followed by Italy and France.

However, research from VisitFlorida found one third of Americans would be interested in visiting Cuba if current US law changed.

Current US law does not ban travel to Cuba but it does prohibit spending any money there.

Fidel’s illness raised some fears among Florida tourism officials that the opening of the island to further development could impair efforts in the US.

Cuba is the second hottest draw in the Caribbean, more popular than Jamaica and the Bahamas, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization. Cuba tourism grew by 13% last year.

“Clearly, Cuba could one day begin to erode Florida visitation,” wrote The Orlando Sentinel.

Report by David Wilkening