THE © YEAR VI Nº 10 MAY, 18 2017 HAVANA, CUBA avana eporter ISSN 2224-5707 YOUR SOURCE OF NEWS & MORE H R Price: A Bimonthly Newspaper of the Prensa Latina News Agency 1.00 CUC, 1.00 USD, 1.20 CAN P. 4 Cuba’s P. 4 Martin Luther King POLITICAL COUNCIL Center Turns 30 Tourism Culture Economy Sports Golf The Oldest Theater Cuba and Mississippi Hemingway Tees Off in Latin Talk About International Yacht In Cuba America Trade Club At 25 P.2 P.10 P. 14 P. 15 2 TOUURISM Cruise Ships Now Adorn Havana’s Beautiful Bay Text and Photos By Roberto F.CAMPOS The new reality of cruise ships in Cuba and in Havana principal sea port – was renovated to cater to the in particular, are symbolic of the impressive growth in requirements of cruise ship companies. the Island’s booming tourism sector. Nowadays, the sight of a modern cruise liner Cruises to Cuba were becoming increasingly in Havana‘s harbor is a far more frequent affair popular and the reestablishment of diplomatic that compels passers-by to pause and take in such relations between Washington and Havana, magnificent sight. undoubtedly helped return this premium destination in its rightful place. CRUISE SHIPS INDUSTRY GROWTH Much of today’s tourism industry developments in Cuba are focused on cruise ship visits to the island, The custom-built cruise ships now in use reflect present which greatly depend on the continued easing of developments in the sector and the construction Blockade related prohibitions imposed by the US of bigger ships with enhanced passenger capacity, ships are the AIDAstella and MSC Preziosa ( delivered in on citizens wishing to visit the beautiful Cuban combined with the growing choice of cruises offered, March), the Norwegian Breakaway and Europa 2 (April) archipelago. particularly in the Caribbean, bode very well for the and the Royal Princesa and Le Soléal, for delivery in In spite of such political issues and the market future. June and July, respectively. restrictions, the arrival of these big ships is most Cuba‘s very privileged position in this regard is Half of these ships, like the Europa 2, Norwegian certainly a bright, colorful, welcome and decorative nonetheless adversely affected by the consequences Breakaway and Royal Princesa are of a new design and addition to the country’s port network. of the financial, economic and commercial restrictions the rest form part of series already afloat. The origins of such extended sea excursions can imposed by the United States since the 1960’s. Some of the ships novelties include sliding boards be traced back to interesting tales with roots in the This is why a look at the itineraries of many important that extend along 18 decks for 1,200 metres. transfer of emigrants to the Americas that later cruise ships reveals that they circumnavigate but do They weigh between 144 thousand tons (Norwegian became a popular form of recreation and relaxation. not stop on the island. Breakaway) and71 thousand tons (AIDAstella). Cuba’s cruise ships industry got a boost during The cruise ships industry is supplied primarily by Spacious cabins, glass floors, suites featuring spas the 1990s -- and after 1994 in particular -- when the European and Japanese shipyards, which built 22 new and balconies and lots of luxurious bars and restaurants development of a new tourism industry in the country ships in 2016, with a passenger capacity of 66,831, form part of the splendor of floating resorts that cater commenced. representing an overall investment of 14.9 billion dollars. for more than 3 thousand passengers and cost a tidy Havana’s cruise ship terminal – the nation’s Amongst the latest generation of stunning cruise 760 million dollars a piece. Golf Tees Off In Cuba Pérez Jorge By FranciscoMENÉNDEZ Cuba is trying to diversify tourism options and the game expressed pleasure at the sport’s potential in this type of PHOTO: of golf is already playing an important role in this regard. event going forward. organized three further competitions that were very well As part of their plans to broaden the base of proposals During the October 4-8, 2016 tournament, a number received by members and players: the Hispanidad, Meliá on offer to tourists visiting Cuba, the Island’s authorities of celebrities, including legendary Australian golfer Greg and Super Club cups, held in that order. seem to have quite correctly set their sights on golf, a Norman, who opened the event, visited the course. Tovar Pineda added that such events ensure that recreational sport popular all over the globe. Norman, nicknamed the Great White Shark, is one of between 32 and 35 thousand rounds of golf are played Plans were corroborated during the recently held VIII the world’s most successful professional golfers ever and annually over 18 holes. Cuban Golf Tournament, in the Varadero resort, some 140 was ranked number 1 in the world for 331 weeks in a row. He stressed that the development of golf facilities is km east of the capital city and home to the only 18 hole The star was accompanied by others interested in of very real importance, because more than 80 million course in Cuba. investment in Cuba and in the construction of golf courses people worldwide practice the sport and Cuba plans to The organizers however revealed their intentions to in particular. harness the potential. float an important investment plan to build at least other The VIII Tournament was played out over three 18 hole He revealed that, given that the country already 10 golf courses nationwide. rounds. Players competed in 3 categories and 2 modalities: welcomes over 3 million foreign tourists annually, the Cuba’s Golf Tournament is a Ministry of Tourism Medal play and Stable ford. principal strategy in this regard will be to attract middle- (MINTUR) organized event that is run by the Palmares What is most significant about the event however high level players to the island and to combine golf and company with sponsorship from corporations such as is that every year it attracts more people interested in beach offers as an added incentive for people to holiday Spanish Freixenet and Cuban Habanos S.A. playing golf to Cuba. here. This year‘s tournament in Cuba counted on the That is an indication that golf has great potential He also said that the idea is not only to attract participation of 50 golfers from 9 countries: Costa Rica, in Cuba and promises to become a new way to attract visitors to Cuba, but to offer a lifestyle where sport and Canada, Argentina, the United States, Spain, the United tourists by either combining it with traditional sun and accommodation can go hand in hand. Kingdom, Switzerland, South Korea and Cuba. beach holidays, nature, culture and congress tourism, or Importantly, the game of golf also attracts people Many competitors had previously played on the island other combined creative options. outside the high tourist season that runs from November on several occasions. through April. A remarkable feature of this year’s tournament - which DIVERSIFICATION IS KEY More than 80 million people worldwide play golf, awards about 10 prizes - is that it was won by Cuban golfer, many of whom combine their love of the sport with Jesús Pérez, an indication that locals like to participate in José Tovar Pineda, General Manager of the Varadero Golf holidays, excursions and trips to the beach. both the sport and the tourism industry itself. Club, explained that they offer a very diverse range of Golf is peculiar in that the sport is played in different During the awards ceremony, Jorge Luis Acosta, options. courses, and it is an activity often associated with multiple General Manager of the organizing Palmares company, Following the VIII Cuban Golf Tournament, they destination trips. CUBA 3 Cuba-USA Banking Advances By Víctor M. CARRIBA Obama and Raúl Castro announced on December 17, 2014 that bilateral links, broken by Washington in 1961, had been reestablished. Stonegate Bank executive director David Seleski, said on the company website that the merger is likely to be completed this year. Seleski told Cuban journalist Reinaldo Taladrid, that the merger included the creation of a “Cuba division” that will continue Stonegate’s work with the An agreement signed almost two years ago between Caribbean island. of Arkansas and Stonegate are committed to their the Stonegate Bank of the United States and Cuba´s He explained that this new association means operations with Cuba, but that uncertainty presently International Trade Bank (BICSA), to handle direct that Stonegate would leave Florida, where the state prevails in U.S. policy on Cuba and that all concerned payments and transactions between the two government has imposed penalties and fines and are waiting to see President Donald Trump’s position countries has been significantly enhanced by the become increasingly hostile to U.S. companies that on relations with the island. incorporation of Stonegate into Home Banchshares, trade with Cuba. Stonegate assumed a key role when Cuba-U.S. which in turn is amalgamated with the famous In recent years, the U.S. government has financially relations were resumed, by being the only institution Centennial Bank of Arkansas. persecuted foreign banks that have operated in of its kind to open a bank account for the Cuban The 2015 banking accord followed the resumption Cuba through fines that exceed $10 billion, as are the embassy in the U.S. of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United cases of the Swiss banks UBS and Credit Suisse (fines It has since funded exports to Cuba, helped close States in July of that year.