Simons Chase 
According to an article in the New York Times, the Obama administration announced today it would allow individuals to travel to Cuba for “people to people” educational trips and lift limits on the use of American dollars in transactions with Cuba. Today’s news is the latest in a steady, slow drum beat of actions taken … Read more
Meliá Hotels International open its first Cuban hotel, the Sol Palmeras, more than a quarter of a century ago. Since its opening, Meliá has continued to develop hotels through a successful formula based on joint venture investments with the Cuban government. Today it is the largest foreign hotel operator in Cuba. Last year, at an … Read more
United Airlines submitted an updated filing with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for authority to begin commercial air service to Cuba from its gateways in Newark/New York, Houston, Washington and Chicago to Havana’s José Martí International Airport in Cuba. According to a press release, United says its proposal for nonstop service to Havana from … Read more
It is vital for Cuba develop its travel and tourism sector. The communist island nation is struggling with the decline and expected loss of much of the benefits it has received from its economic and ideological relationship with Venezuela. 25 years ago, Cuba almost collapsed when the Soviet Union folded and withdrew all its economic … Read more
Last week, the Obama administration announced two major hotel brands will seek to do business in Cuba. White House officials expressed hope these deals would come together before Mr. Obama arrives in Havana March 20. Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson, vice chair of the President’s Export Council, will travel to Cuba with Mr. Obama. “We are … Read more
Suntine International-Economic Trading Company of China and Cuba’s Cubanacan hotel group are partners in a project to build a new Hemingway Hotel at the Hemingway Marina just west of Havana. The state-run Chinese investor will have a 49% ownership and will provide $150 million for the project. Cubanacan, with 51 percent ownership, is providing the … Read more
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini signed an agreement in Havana on Friday to normalize relations. The new agreement replaces a policy adopted by 28-member bloc 20 years ago that pushed for changes to Cuba’s communist political system. “The message we pass to Cuban authorities,” Mogherini said, “is that … Read more
The world-famous recording artist, Sting, has published an appeal to support a music-inspired effort to send a piano to Cuba. According to a new release on Sting’s official website: Cuban culture and music has made an incredible impact on the world, and here’s an opportunity to ensure that impact will continue for years to come. … Read more
Cuba seems to have a special gravity when it comes to attracting iconic figures and historic moments. Perhaps the forces of reverse nostalgia have been at work far longer than we realize. Just last month, Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic Church, stopped in Cuba for a historic meeting with the head of the … Read more
If there’s one thing new visitors to Cuba will take away from their first trip to Cuba it would have to be that Cuba is not just another palm-fringed Caribbean island catering to all-inclusive travelers. The hardships and constant struggle endured by Cubans has nurtured and strengthened their identity. It bursts on the scene in … Read more
