You Say You Want to Visit Cuba 'Before It's Ruined'? Tomas Bilbao - The Huffington Post
go to original January 26, 2016

Since President Obama expanded authorized travel to Cuba a little over a year ago, U.S. travel to the island has increased by over 77 percent. Many of the approved travel providers that operate people-to-people trips have designed a variety of tours that highlight the country's rich culture, history and people. With the increased travel, it has become routine to hear from friends, coworkers and neighbors who have visited and are eager to share their impressions. What has also become common is the all-too-often repeated phrase: "I want(ed) to go before Cuba is ruined." This view ignores the very real possibility that many of the qualities that make Cuba such a special destination can be maintained and even enhanced through sustainable development.

This phrase implies that with time, Cuba will lose its "charm." This may partially be due to the fact that as more Americans visit the island and the tourist travel ban is finally lifted, photos of a trip to Cuba posted on Facebook will become as commonplace as other Caribbean vacation destinations. The allure of visiting the once-prohibited Island will eventually wear off and with it the appeal the Island as an adventure travel destination. But that is only part of the story.

The other reason why some want to "visit Cuba before it's ruined," is because they expect that the "charm" of crumbling facades, cheap rum and cigars, old American cars and low prices won't survive a transition toward a more open economic system. Some fear that as Cuba attracts foreign investment and continues reforming its economy, development and economic growth will fundamentally change what makes Cuba alluring. While it is possible that most people who hold this view do so with the best of intentions - wanting to preserve Cuba's unique culture and heritage - implicit in this statement are two sad and patronizing assumptions: first, that economic growth, development and increased prosperity for the Cuban people are somehow undesirable and will hurt Cuba's appeal to tourists; and second, that Cuba will ignore the need to preserve its own culture and heritage.

Read the rest at The Huffington Post

Related: A How-To Guide to Visiting Cuba That Finally Makes Sense (CNN)

Related: Interview with Traveler to Cuba: ‘It Was Like No Other Place We’ve Ever Been’ (Fight Back News)

Related: Going to Cuba? Beware of Popular Swindles (Local10)

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