Cuban Tourism Industry, The: Evolution, Challenges, and Prospects (Bloomsbury Studies on Cuba)

Review

“Rich with historical context, economic data, and fascinating analysis, The Cuban Tourism Industry is a long-overdue and comprehensive study of tourism in a country with one of the largest tourism sectors in the Caribbean. It is an impressive contribution to our understanding of Cuba's complex history with tourism, from the earliest colonial period though to the current era. It deftly explores the role of tourism in the Cuban economy through the revolutionary period, examines the dramatic changes to this industry in the post-Cold War era, and addresses the opening shepherded in by Barack Obama and Raul Castro. It then offers an analysis of the influence of pandemic era restrictions and the reversal of US policy. The authors bring the study to a close with recommendations for a rebirth rather than a simple recovery of the industry. It also draws astute comparisons with other Caribbean states, offering a volume that would be of wide interest to scholars and practitioners of tourism in the Caribbean as well as those with a particular interest in Cuba.” ―Lana Wylie, McMaster University, Canada“The Cuban Tourism Industry: Evolution, Challenges, and Prospects is an essential work for academics, policymakers, and tourists interested in Cuba's history and Tourism industry. The book follows the evolution of the Tourism industry in Cuba from the pre-revolution American influence, the impact of the revolution, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and exogeneous factors from U.S. politics to Covid, and their impact on the tourism industry as a predominant driver of the economy in Cuba. Each period includes discussions on foreign direct investment, regulation and policies, and factors that have both helped and hindered tourism development. Paolo Spadoni and José Luis Perelló Cabrera have provided us with a well-researched and critical resource to understand the trends, challenges and complexities of both the past, and the future of the Tourism industry in Cuba.” ―Hilary Becker, Carelton University, Canada

About the Author

“Rich with historical context, economic data, and fascinating analysis, The Cuban Tourism Industry is a long-overdue and comprehensive study of tourism in a country with one of the largest tourism sectors in the Caribbean. It is an impressive contribution to our understanding of Cuba's complex history with tourism, from the earliest colonial period though to the current era. It deftly explores the role of tourism in the Cuban economy through the revolutionary period, examines the dramatic changes to this industry in the post-Cold War era, and addresses the opening shepherded in by Barack Obama and Raul Castro. It then offers an analysis of the influence of pandemic era restrictions and the reversal of US policy. The authors bring the study to a close with recommendations for a rebirth rather than a simple recovery of the industry. It also draws astute comparisons with other Caribbean states, offering a volume that would be of wide interest to scholars and practitioners of tourism in the Caribbean as well as those with a particular interest in Cuba.” ―Lana Wylie, McMaster University, Canada“The Cuban Tourism Industry: Evolution, Challenges, and Prospects is an essential work for academics, policymakers, and tourists interested in Cuba's history and Tourism industry. The book follows the evolution of the Tourism industry in Cuba from the pre-revolution American influence, the impact of the revolution, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and exogeneous factors from U.S. politics to Covid, and their impact on the tourism industry as a predominant driver of the economy in Cuba. Each period includes discussions on foreign direct investment, regulation and policies, and factors that have both helped and hindered tourism development. Paolo Spadoni and José Luis Perelló Cabrera have provided us with a well-researched and critical resource to understand the trends, challenges and complexities of both the past, and the future of the Tourism industry in Cuba.” ―Hilary Becker, Carelton University, Canada