CUBA: Tourism Growth A Result Of Normalization Of Relations With U.S. Under Barack Obama,

The Cuban government said Friday that the economy is growing again following a decline last year that was the first drop reported in two decades.

Economy Minister Ricardo Cabrisas said at the opening session of the National Assembly that Cuba’s GDP grew just more than 1 percent in the first six months of 2017 and is on track to hit an estimated 2 percent for the full year.

The rebound came despite the economic crisis in Venezuela, which provides oil and other support to the island.

The government said Cuba’s economy shrank last year by 1 percent amid falling help from Venezuela, which is struggling with triple-digit inflation and widespread shortages of food and other basic goods.

The decrease was the first reported by Cuba in years.

Cuban media quoted Cabrisas as telling the assembly that instability in the supply of Venezuelan oil weighs on the country’s economy but tourism, construction, transportation and communications are all growing.

Foreign media were not allowed to attend the session, which was presided over by President Raul Castro.

Some growth in tourism is the result of the normalization of relations with the U.S. that was started by President Barack Obama and is now threatened under President Donald Trump.



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UNWTO Condemns Trump’s Travel Restrictions On Cuba

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) expresses its firm resentment over the recently-announced decision by the United States Administration to restore travel restrictions with Cuba.

This represents a step backwards and a strong attack on the freedom of travel, said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai.

This decision will have limited impact on Cuba’s tourism development, yet it will substantially affect the US economy and American jobs.

Many US companies have started to invest in and do business with Cuba in view of the immense potential of Cuban tourism, which other countries will surely continue to benefit from, he added.

Tourism is one of the key economic sectors in Cuba, supporting many livelihoods and drawing significant interest from foreign investors, which will surely continue being the case.

In 2016 Cuba received over 4 million international visitors, a growth of over 1 million in only five years.

Meanwhile, Istanbul turns into a more attractive shopping destination as the city prepares for the 7th edition of Istanbul Shopping Fest (ISF).

Taking place between July 1 - 16, ISF will offer discounts of up to 50%. Moreover, Istanbul's both modern and traditional shopping centers will host many activities during the fest.

Visitors to Istanbul come not only to see the city but also to discover the culture and art of the city.

There will be design contests, where the best designs will be selected, awarded by Turkey's Trademark Association.

All the events will be held in nine different shopping malls, said Istanbul Chamber of Commerce Chairman İbrahim Çaglar.

Çaglar added that approximately 200 local and foreign designers will participate in the shopping fest.

He noted that 15 artists will hold exhibitions and around 150 workshops and more than 30 music and dance performances will add joy to the shopping fest.

Designated "Design ISF" areas will be located at major shopping malls including Akasya, Capitol, Emaar Square, Forum Istanbul, Istinye Park, Kanyon, Palladium, Venezia Mega Outlet and Zorlu Center. These areas will provide an opportunity for visitors to meet famous designers like Bahar Korçan, Arzu Kaprol and Gamze Saraçoğlu and experience special design products including jewelry, accessories, furniture, ceramics, graphics, fabrics, books, stationery, glass, lighting and organic food.

The Uninvited Jazz Band, Tango Rojo, Can Türkkan, Arbil Çelen, Jülide Hatay, Deniz Güngör and Ali Deniz Kardelen will perform during the shopping fest.

CUBA: The 4 Scams That Con Artists Use To Cheat Tourists In Cuba

By the time I realized I’d been conned, it was too late.

I was sitting in a shabby bar in Havana, with two locals I’d just met, who seemed friendly at first but turned out to be like the Cuban version of Will Smith and Margot Robbie in con-artist movie “Focus.”

It seemed innocent to begin with. A young couple that looked about the same age as my partner and I struck up a conversation with us on the street. They must have known Australians feel downright rude refusing an invitation to go for a drink, because the next minute they were leading the way to a bar where they said they would tell us about some local places where we could see live music that night.

We said we’d shout them a drink in exchange for the insider knowledge.

When we got to the bar the guy — let’s call him Will Smith — suggested we order a round of mojitos. Ever the budget-conscious traveller, I asked how much they cost. “It’s very cheap here, don’t worry,” Will insisted as Margot nodded. My request to the waiter for a menu went unanswered.

By the time I realized I’d been conned, it was too late.

I was sitting in a shabby bar in Havana, with two locals I’d just met, who seemed friendly at first but turned out to be like the Cuban version of Will Smith and Margot Robbie in con-artist movie “Focus.”

It seemed innocent to begin with. A young couple that looked about the same age as my partner and I struck up a conversation with us on the street. They must have known Australians feel downright rude refusing an invitation to go for a drink, because the next minute they were leading the way to a bar where they said they would tell us about some local places where we could see live music that night.

We said we’d shout them a drink in exchange for the insider knowledge.

When we got to the bar the guy — let’s call him Will Smith — suggested we order a round of mojitos. Ever the budget-conscious traveller, I asked how much they cost. “It’s very cheap here, don’t worry,” Will insisted as Margot nodded. My request to the waiter for a menu went unanswered.

When the bill came, each cocktail had been charged at $5 CUC (the Cuban Convertible Peso) which is worth around the same as the US dollar. It was outrageously expensive for a dive bar in a rundown part of town — even the bars in the top hotels don’t charge much more than that.

A $20 CUC drinks bill (around AUD $28) wasn’t a trip-ruining amount of money. But as Will and the waiter stole glances at each other as I put the money on the table, I had the feeling I’d been played.

And as it turned out, the “secret bars” Will and Margot recommended turned out to be the biggest tourist traps in Havana.

Travel safety expert Phil Sylvester from TID says the bar-tab ruse is a common tourist scam in Cuba and other countries.

He says it’s important to remember that anyone who approaches you with an offer of help most likely has a vested interest. “When was the last time you walked up to a tourist in your hometown and tried to press some service on them?” he points out.

The best way to avoid being scammed is to ignore touts on the street, or politely decline their offers. “Be firm, but there’s no need to be rude. Unreasonable confrontation could escalate the situation into something more dangerous.”

He also advises reading up on common tourist scams, because they often follow a similar formula.

Here are the four cons you’re likely to come across in Cuba:
1. The milk powder scam

The scammer will approach a tourist and ask them to buy a bag of milk powder for them from a nearby store. After the tourist has paid for it and left, the local and the store owner split the money, and the bag goes back on the shelf ready for the next unsuspecting person.
2. The money-changing scam

This scam banks on tourists getting mixed up about the two different currencies in Cuba: the CUC, which is what tourists use for most transactions, and the national peso (CUP), which is worth 1/24th of a CUC.

The scammer will offer to change a tourist’s money at the Casa de Cambia (house of change), saying that as a local they get a better exchange rate. They then give the tourist back CUP, not CUC. Always check that you get your change back in the right currency after making a purchase.
3. The cigar scam

Only ever buy cigars from official stores (called La Casa de Habanos) otherwise they’re certain to be fake. There are several legitimate stores in Havana, Trinidad, and other centers around the country. You’ll get plenty of offers from people on the street trying to sell you “real” cigars for discount prices. You know the old adage: If it seems too good to be true …
4. The casa scam

It’s common for tourists to stay in “casa particulars” — rooms inside or connected to a family home. Outside airports and bus stations there are often locals who want to show you to their casa in the hope you’ll stay.

Usually these offers are legitimate, but scammers have been known to take tourists to a house that’s not theirs, and then demand a finder’s fee from the homeowner for bringing you there. The real casa owner is then forced to pass this fee onto you, pushing up the price of your accommodation.