You’ve no doubt seen the news that we’ve finally relaxed travel restrictions to Cuba, along with many other changes to our policies regarding the island nation. Last summer, the two countries agreed to reopen embassies on their respective soil, and re-establish diplomatic relations. President Obama recently visited Cuba, the first American head of state to do so since 1928, 88 years ago. Despite the travel ban, small numbers of Americans had been visiting Cuba by going through Mexico or other countries where travel there is not restricted. But now that it’s legal again, record numbers are visiting, leading to the first real problem caused by this influx of American tourists. According to Mashable, Tourists are drinking all of Cuba’s beer.
“The first clear sign that Cuba will have difficulty keeping up with the influx of American tourists — certain only to increase as restrictions are loosened — is a beer shortage.
Good job, America.”
For the discerning tourist, reviews of all three may be found on my blog.
Good thing you got there before the ugly Americans drank it all. 😉 Cheers. Looks like a great trip, despite the beer being none too grand.
Even with the 77% increase, Americans represent only 5% of the tourist trade there, that’s hardly contributing to the beer problem. I don’t see that the “influx” in the quoted story has anything to do with the shortage. If an industry can’t keep up with upwards of a 5% increase in demand, there is something more fundamentally wrong. I think we all know the answer – more investment in brewing plant – but for that to happen some fundamental issues need to be resolved and both sides need to cooperate on that, not just the U.S.
Someone once brought me one of the beers mentioned, I can’t remember which, and it wasn’t that great, IMO. Beer fans visiting might want to vote with their tongues, so to speak, by sampling the country’s excellent rums.
Gary