Tourism and Cuba: Complexities of Tourism Planning and Development

Cuba has experienced many social, economic, and political changes since Raul Castro retained presidency of the island nation in 2008. This comprehensive volume examines how Cuba has restructured some of its core economic policies in order to tackle stagnation; these include allowing for more legalized private enterprises, reducing the number of State-employed workers, and fostering additional outside investments. The authors explore the surge of entrepreneurial activity in tourism among Cuban residents due to these reforms, whether that be offering new tourism products or expanding traditional ones.

Though the current diplomatic climate suggests continued uncertainty, the ripple effect of a potentially thawing relationship between Cuba and the USA resulted in an unexpected surge of international tourists wishing to experience Cuba before it opened to the American travel market. This book highlights the factors that are influencing, and in some cases complicating, tourism planning and development in Cuba. The authors explore a wide range of topics including tourism and land-use policy, competitiveness, responsible practices, gender and ethical advertising, the role of tour guides, emergence of casa particulares, experiential learning and solidarity, and authenticity through local art.

This book will interest students, researchers, politicians and investors with a focus on Cuba. It was originally published as a special issue of the journal Tourism Planning & Development.

Lauren Duffy is Assistant Professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management at Clemson University, USA. Her research focuses on tourism planning and development with a particular interest on how power influences stakeholder participation throughout a planning process in rural, coastal, and lesser economically developed contexts.

Carol Kline is Associate Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Appalachian State University, USA. Her research interests focus on tourism planning and development, tourism entrepreneurship, and animal welfare issues. She has extensive knowledge/experience in Cuba having been involved in research programs and publication of empirical studies, and facilitation of study abroad programs to the country.