President Obama Lands in Cuba

President Obama Lands in Cuba

By the Cuba Journal staff Barack Obama is now in Cuba. United States President Barack Obama officially kicked off his historic visit to Cuba on Sunday. Touching down at Jose Marti International Airport, Obama became the first sitting US president to visit the island since Calvin Coolidge in 1928. The visit comes less than a … Read more

Airbnb Gains Broader Authority in Cuba Thanks to Obama

Airbnb Gains Broader Authority in Cuba Thanks to Obama

Today, Airbnb was granted authorization to expand its digital lodging service to travelers from around the world. Airbnb was open only to those Americans traveling on the existing government-sanctioned categories for travel to Cuba. With 4,000 listing in less than twelve months, Cuba is the company’s fastest growing market in the world. Marriott International announced … Read more

Marriott Gains US Approval for Cuba

Marriott Gains US Approval for Cuba

Marriott International, Inc. has announced it has received US approval to pursue a business transaction in Cuba. The company is in discussions to develop a hospitality relationship with potential partners. Yesterday, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide announced it has partnered with several Cuban entities to manage hotels in the island nation. Starwood’s deals, made possible … Read more

Starwood is First US Hotel Operator in Cuba in 57 Years

Starwood is First US Hotel Operator in Cuba in 57 Years

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has partnered with several Cuban entities to manage hotels in the island nation. Starwood’s deals, made possible through what appears to be unique approval from the Obama administration, marks the first US hotelier to operate in Cuba since the 1959 revolution. The sites include: Hotel Inglaterra, owned by Gran Caribe, … Read more

Here’s What Obama Will Be Doing in Cuba

Here’s What Obama Will Be Doing in Cuba

US President Barack Obama begins his historic visit to Cuba on Sunday, the first visit to the island by a sitting US president since Calvin Coolidge in 1928. So what will the Obamas be up to? Continuing his trend of Medium pieces on Cuba, US White House Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications & … Read more

This US Public Relations Firm Is Planning a Cuba Office

This US Public Relations Firm Is Planning a Cuba Office

US-based public relations firm Weber Shandwick is planning to open an office in Cuba. The company has been granted a specific license by the US Department of the Treasury authorizing it to pursue opening operations on the ground in Cuba. “The license opens the door for Weber Shandwick to proceed with discussions with the Cuban … Read more

Cuba Is Adding More Wi-Fi Hotspots

Cuba Is Adding More Wi-Fi Hotspots

Cuba is continuing its Wi-Fi expansion. The country’s state-owned telecom company, ETECSA, has announced its plans to install 80 new “zones” of Wi-Fi connection. Ernesto Rodriguez Hernandez, Director of Computing within the Ministry of Communications, says that the new areas are being developed with a more “comprehensive” approach, after taking advisement from territorial governments which … Read more

A Conservation Lab for Hemingway in Cuba

A Conservation Lab for Hemingway in Cuba

By the Cuba Journal staff Hemingway’s history in Cuba is enormous; in many ways, no one understood the soul of Cuba better than Papa. And now a new project is looking to capture and treasure Cuba’s Hemingway connection, with help from U.S. heavy equipment giant Caterpillar. The company’s foundation has announced a $500,000 donation to … Read more

Cuba: First Direct Mail From US Arrives in Havana

Cuba: First Direct Mail From US Arrives in Havana

The first direct mail from the US to Cuba has officially arrived at Jose Marti International Airport in Havana, Cuba’s government confirmed. The shipment represents the first steps of a pilot program announced in December 2015. The mail shipment was the first direct mail to arrive in Cuba in more than half a century. For … Read more