U.S. to begin diplomatic talks with Cuba...What will the effects be on Jamaica?

[RichD]

Your guess is as good as mine. Miami Cubans have a lot pull, and I honestly believe they are the biggest stumbling block...But, if big business sees enough money to be made in Cuba, they could tilt the balance over all and probably win out.

I think if US gets it foot in the door Communism is doomed. Once people in Cuba get a taste of Capitalism and the US, their lives should improve, Cuba will be communist in name only...sort of like China. Does anyone in their right mind think China will go back to the old ways?

If hard liners in the US that are against the Castro regime want change, just let the Cuban people have a taste of US Capitalism.

the hardliners in the US don't really want change .....they want back what they had. never going to happen

[My Looh]

While Cuba is not yet open to the average American tourist, It seems pretty clear that this policy change points to that day in the next few years.

For Cuba it is a good thing because there will need to be some serious hotel/resort development and infastructure construction needed to accomodate the U.S. tourist invasion. The Cubans will need time to prepare.

Luckily for Cuba they have the potential to develop their tourist industry as much of the areas suitable for tourism are yet to be touched by bulldozers.

So far Cuba has been very careful on where and how to build their resorts. Most resorts are built well back from the beachfront in order to leave the beaches as natural as possible. It would be very uncommon to see resorts like the ones you find in Negril or Cancun in Cuba. Also, these properties cannot be purchased, they are leased and the operational structure of these hotels/resorts are set up in such a way that foreign hoteliers can only partner with the Cuban government to run these businesses, they cannot run things independently. The Cuban government always has a 51% stake in how things are run. Will these policies continue going forward? Only time will tell.

When the time comes Jamaica will face some declines in visitors, especially during the first few years. However, Jamaica does have some things Cuba never will, cusine, culture, music and most importantly, weather. I have been to Cuba several times and it is not uncommon during the winter months for it to be a little too cool to enjoy a beach holiday.

[Tropicana]

Jamaica tourism could take a hit as travel to Cuba is really inexpensive. It has been legal for Canadian residents to travel to Cuba and the only thing holding them back has been the embargo and the fear of not being allowed into the USA if they go to Cuba. Still many Canadians have been going there and I think there will be more travel from the USA AND Canada once relations are regularlized.

[Wahalla]

Despite the loss of revenue I get a sense most Jamaicans welcome this...

[Blackstar*]

I hope Cuba's influence in the region grows. Cuba gets a lot of things right with regards to education, health care, and the environment. Jamaica's leadership - from all parties - needs to take note before they run our blessed island into the ground.

[My Looh]

I hope Cuba's influence in the region grows. Cuba gets a lot of things right with regards to education, health care, and the environment. Jamaica's leadership - from all parties - needs to take note before they run our blessed island into the ground.

I couldn't agree more!

[Tuff Gong]

Hope King Barry frees up Cuba!