Cuba – The Hidden Paradise
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The recent United States Congress vote to lift the ban on Americans traveling to Cuba will open the flood gates for hundreds of thousands of individuals eager to take advantage of what is becoming increasingly known as the "forbidden paradise", where the Cohiba Lanceros Cigar and the much vaunted Havana Club rum, vie for popularity against a backdrop of some of the greatest architectural masterpieces of the New World.
These historical buildings are not only of immense importance to the Cubans, but they are recognized as one of the greatest attractions in the Communist led nation, apart from miles and miles of pristine beaches, crystal clear waters, and a warm and friendly people. Despite the ban on American citizens going to Cuba, an estimated 200,000 circumvented the prohibition in 1999 by traveling via Canada, Cancun, The Bahamas and Montego Bay, and although the figures for 2000 are not yet out, it will certainly be higher than the previous year.
Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota said it was important to make "this incremental move" to lift the travel ban, imposed 40 years ago on the Communist ruled Island. The measure has to pass the Senate, which is not assured at this particular time. The measure to lift the travel ban passed the House 240-186, with 67 Republicans and 173 Democrats backing it. As expected, the move was met by an immediate rejection by the Bush administration. A White House announcement that it would not accept any easing of sanctions. White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said President George W. Bush will not support the new proposal, even though there is growing sentiment in Congress to offer Americans a chance to see Cuba for themselves, while some conservative Republicans argue that the ban amounts to an infringement on the right of U.S. citizens. Conservative Republican Jeff Flake of Arizona, who sponsored the travel ban repeal in the House, said Americans should be free to travel wherever they want. "What we've done is to erect our own Berlin Wall, preventing the free travel of Americans. It's time to tear it down," said Rep. William Delahunt. Cuba's Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque described the vote as "constituting a symbol, a proof of the majority feeling in U.S. society."
They consider the current policy irrational, unfair and senseless, and added "President Bush should understand he has been betting on a losing horse since the start of his administration."
The tourism industry, sensing the influx, which will follow the lifting of the ban, has already started a countrywide upgrading of present hotel and resort facilities, constructing new ones and providing additional rooms.
SuperClubs is among those Resorts, which already has a number of facilities and has announced plans to build new ones.
"The sky is the limit in Cuba as far as tourism is concerned," says Kees Aerts, General Manager of Breezes Costa Verde, the new SuperClubs Super-Inclusive Hotel located at Playa Pesquero, in the province of Holguin, and is jointly owned by the Government of Cuba and the Italian Gaviota Group. The resort was opened on February 1, 2001. Catering for couples, families and singles, the resort has 480 rooms divided into 31 two-story buildings.
Situated on the N.E. coast of Cuba, 50 miles from the Frank Pais International Airport in Holguin, Costa Verde is surrounded b
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Edwin Ali, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com
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Edwin Ali, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent. Join the Travel Writers Network in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com Leave Your email next to the logo for FREE e travel newsletter.