Page 18 - SOLO DI PUEBLO

Pagina 18 Dialuna 19 December 2016
INGESTUURD DOOR REMIGIO A. Wever
WHAT CUBA MEANS FOR CARIBBEAN TRAVEL

By Alex Zozaya

CEO of Apple Leisure Group renovate existing properties or build new hotels stay and ultra-luxury.
to meet this imminent demand, but a lot is
History was recently made when American dependent on the loosening of current business Incredible Potential
Airlines and Jet Blue became the first U.S. restrictions, particularly on the part of the Cuban
airlines to land passenger flights in Havana government. The potential for opportunity remains high. A
in more than 50 years. More U.S. airlines are record-breaking 1 million travelers visited Cuba
expected to launch regularly scheduled flights to Meanwhile, the Cuban government is also in the first three months of 2016. The growth of
Cuba’s capital this month as well. While this was aware of their own growth potential. GAESA, travel to Cuba could easily rival that seen in the
another significant step forward, it remains to be the largest military-run conglomerate on the Dominican Republic or Mexico’s Riviera Maya.
seen how U.S.-Cuba relations will manifest with island, plans on introducing 30,000 more
the recent passing of Fidel Castro and under the rooms, most of which will be in all-inclusive Cuban businesses and workers are well-
new presidential administration. beach resorts according to Fox News. prepared to welcome American travelers, as
they already have years of experience catering
Donald Trump is unpredictable, and how he Through Apple Leisure Group’s subsidiary to tourists from Europe, Canada and Latin
chooses to handle the United States’ relationship AMResorts, I’ve seen firsthand that the all- America.
with Cuba is a serious concern of mine. If he inclusive industry attracts a diverse mix of
decides to reverse the positive progress that travelers—one being the luxury-minded If the trend for increasingly open travel and
President Obama made in this regard over the traveler. business relations continues between the United
last two years, Americans may not be allowed States and Cuba, more hotel companies will
to travel to Cuba whatsoever. It is my hope that Although high-end, luxury destinations in Cuba likely step up and invest in the Cuban market, its
relations keep moving forward under the new are limited at the moment, I foresee adventurous people and its future.
administration and that the embargo is lifted American travelers willing to trade the comforts Cuba holds incredible potential not only
soon. of traditional amenities for being among the first
to experience the uniqueness of the island. as a unique tropical destination, but also
Regardless of these uncertainties, travelers as a crucial opportunity for U.S. travelers
and investors are likely to continue to have Going forward, modern, sustainable and hoteliers to make their mark in this
the Caribbean island on their radar in 2017. accommodations will be needed to cater to more burgeoning market.
But before they can take full advantage of the high-end U.S. travelers. To speed up the entry This article originally appeared in the Cuba
country’s offerings and allure, more changes of these types of hotels into this new market, Journal, the world’s leading website covering
must happen. U.S. companies may choose to reflag existing
properties while making aesthetic updates. Cuba.
Room to Grow Others may develop new, self-contained resort COMMENTAAR VAN REMIGIO WEVER:
destinations on the island, pending government
the question is: can the island support a sudden allowances. ARUBA MOET HEEL GOED GAAN OPPASSEN
EN KAN HIER HEEL VEEL VAN LEREN. ZIE
spike in visitors?
Variety will be key. In order to cater to the diverse DE FOCUS IN CUBA OP ALL-INCLUSIVE
At the moment, Cuba has a limited number of travelers entering the market, we can expect to LUXURY RESORTS! ZIE HET POTENTIEEL
hotel rooms and faces infrastructure challenges. see various hotel sectors beginning to emerge VOOR VERDERE GROEI; ER WORDEN NU AL
Hospitality leaders are already looking to on the island: from limited-service to extended- OVER 1 MILJOEN TOERISTEN ONTVANGEN
PER KWARTAAL!!

Steelers come back to beat Bengals, 24-20, in Cincinnati

Chris Boswell tied the club penalties on Vontaze Burfict touchdown extended Cincinnati’s
record with six field goals, and Adam “Pacman” Jones. pass to Eli opening field goal drive.
and Ben Roethlisberger Burfict and Jones each got Rogers for He also injured his right
threw a touchdown pass in a personal foul on Sunday -- a 24-20 knee on the drive and didn’t
the fourth quarter Sunday, Pittsburgh’s Marcus Gilbert lead. return.
rallying Pittsburgh to a had one as well -- as the
24-20 victory over the animosity continued. KICK SIX Last December at Paul
Cincinnati Bengals that kept Brown Stadium, Tuitt
the Steelers in control of the So did the Steelers’ G a r y intercepted one of Dalton’s
AFC North. dominance at Paul Brown Anderson passes and the quarterback
Stadium, where they’ve (1988 vs. broke his right thumb
The Steelers (9-5) have won four in a row. D e n v e r ) tackling him. ... TE Ladarius
won five straight and can and Jeff Green caught a 28-yard
clinch the division title with Running back Jeremy Hill R e e d pass on the final drive and
a victory at home next had an early take-that (2002 vs. then went to the locker
Sunday against Baltimore moment as the Bengals room to be tested for a
(8-6). As a first step, they scored on each of their first Pittsburgh’s first 15 points concussion.
rallied from a 14-point four possessions for a 20-6 with kicks from 45, 49, 49, Jacksonville) also kicked six
deficit -- kick by kick -- and lead. 40, 49 and 30 yards. field goals for the Steelers, Bengals: WR A.J. Green
eliminated the defending who beat the Broncos 39- was inactive for the fourth
champions at a place where As part of his touchdown In the end, there was 21 and the Jaguars 25-23 in straight game with a
they’re right at home. celebration, he grabbed a another Bengals meltdown. those contests. strained right hamstring.
Terrible Towel a fan threw They had penalties on
They beat the Bengals (5- on the field, tried to tear four consecutive plays INJURIES He returned to practice on a
8-1) in the opening round it, and then threw it to the -- including Pat Sims’ Steelers: DE Stephon Tuitt limited basis last week and
of the playoffs 18-16 last ground. personal foul -- that set up had a facemask penalty hopes to play in one of the
January, getting the winning Roethlisberger’s 24-yard against Andy Dalton that two final games.
field goal with the help of Boswell accounted for