[3 Cuba Threads - merged]

dioxide45 · Dec 17, 2014

in Cuba.

If the US government lifts or eases the embargo to allow travel and perhaps investment, how long before the first timeshare opens up for sales?

tschwa2 · Dec 17, 2014

I think it will be a while and even then it will start with and perhaps mainly end up as AI's. The reason DR has so many AI's is that when they started to push tourism, they didn't have the infrastructure of restaurants, especially those that could cater to foreign (English speaking) tourist. Rather than build up general amenities and tourist centers throughout the island, they opted to let each resort build AI "cities."

Judy · Dec 17, 2014

timeshares in Cuba

The US is normalizing relations with Cuba.
Travel restrictions have yet to be lifted, but assuming that they will be:
Are there timeshares in Cuba?
If so, which exchange companies handle them?

am1 · Dec 17, 2014

Hopefully they will keep timeshares out of Cuba.

No need to bring those problems there.

PigsDad · Dec 17, 2014

Personally, I am looking forward to going to Cuba in the not too distant future. Timeshares? Meh. I think I would be more interested seeing and meeting the locals vs. staying at some big resort.

Kurt

Passepartout · Dec 17, 2014

There are plenty of big resorts and hotels there now. Canadians, Mexicans, and Europeans have been going to Cuba for all the decades Americans have been artificially banned- by our government, not theirs.

As to timeshares, it will probably be some time before 'relations' are 'normalized' enough to allow U.S. corporations to open facilities, and keep the profits 'in house', and not share with the local revenue authorities. After all, that's what a top-down managed, centrally controlled economy does. China is an excellent example.

Jim

dioxide45 · Dec 17, 2014

I wonder why foreign corporations haven't built timeshares in Cuba? Perhaps simply not possible under their regime?

SpikeMauler · Dec 18, 2014

I don't think travel restrictions will be lifted anytime soon. That's something congress has to ok and I don't think this congress will do it.

GregT · Dec 18, 2014

I can't find evidence of completed timeshares, but there has been dialogue.

http://claireboobbyer.com/2013/04/30/time-share-in-cuba-one-company-is-ready/

http://www.thetimeshareauthority.co...ess-to-hotels-will-timeshare-resorts-be-next/

Passepartout · Dec 18, 2014

Tonight's CBS News showed the logos of US corporations anxious to do business in Cuba. Along with Major League Baseball and Cisco was Marriott's logo.

dougp26364 · Dec 18, 2014

I'm surprised there aren't timeshares there now. For all these years it's been, as I understand it, essentially a one nation embargo. Nearly everyone else in the world is open for business with Cuba. It's sort of like one very wealthy person in a city of millions boycotting Walmart and expecting them to close their doors because he won't do business with them anymore.

Fern Modena · Dec 18, 2014

The Spanish hotel and timeshare group Sol Melia may well be the first. They already have a timeshare presence in Mexico and the Caribbean, and they have a newly built large hotel complex, part of which is perfect for timeshares (and was probably built with timeshare in mind).

Fern

CO skier · Dec 18, 2014

Cuban timeshares have been in the works since the late 90's. The hurdle is the foreign ownership of property in Cuba. The change in US policy towards Cuba does nothing to change this.

Besides, new timeshares in Cuba will just lead to posts of, "Help! I was bribed into a sales presentation with the promise of a box of Cuban cigars. Now I own a Cuban timeshare that I do not want. This was months ago. How do I get out of it?"

dioxide45 · Dec 18, 2014

CO skier said:
Cuban timeshares have been in the works since the late 90's. The hurdle is the foreign ownership of property in Cuba. The change in US policy towards Cuba does nothing to change this.

Besides, new timeshares in Cuba will just lead to posts of, "Help! I was bribed into a sales presentation with the promise of a box of Cuban cigars. Now I own a Cuban timeshare that I do not want. This was months ago. How do I get out of it?"

Isn't this much the same as Mexico, they could just use RTU instead of deeded property?

MuranoJo · Dec 19, 2014

CO skier said:
Cuban timeshares have been in the works since the late 90's. The hurdle is the foreign ownership of property in Cuba. The change in US policy towards Cuba does nothing to change this.

Besides, new timeshares in Cuba will just lead to posts of, "Help! I was bribed into a sales presentation with the promise of a box of Cuban cigars. Now I own a Cuban timeshare that I do not want. This was months ago. How do I get out of it?"

Loved this, very funny.

Sadly, probably all too true.

Ron98GT · Dec 19, 2014

I look forward to the cruiseships stopping there for the day, they sail right by it now. That will provide a convenient way to check out Cuba for the 1st time. I'll skip the TS's for now.

Carta · Dec 19, 2014

Cuba?

Always wanted to go...Hopefully soon....I'm thinking 2016...How about u?

USA has had a contingency plan for past 10 years...IMO, there will be a helluva lot of growth soon...Can't wait!!!

persia · Dec 19, 2014

Went a couple of times on my Aussie passport, it was a great place to visit, but don't think it's an "undiscovered paradise," It's long been a favourite with Canadians and Europeans (and Americans who realised they didn't stamp passports).

There was a real sense of change this year when they began stamping passports and American customs agents turned almost nonchalant about the stamps, letting American tourists know they saw them but passing them through without hassle. 5 years ago a Cuban visa in an American passport would have earned you a nice chat in a private room, now they just want to know about cigars and alcohol...

Carta said:
Always wanted to go...Hopefully soon....I'm thinking 2016...How about u?

USA has had a contingency plan for past 10 years...IMO, there will be a helluva lot of growth soon...Can't wait!!!

Beaglemom3 · Dec 19, 2014

Same here.

I was supposed to go on a medical visit several+ years ago, but due to possible government repercussions for going on an unsanctioned visit, I cancelled. Yes, I caved.

Can't wait. Am searching different trip itineraries. Would like to go on a blended tourist and legal trip spending time seeing the country, people and courts of law.

=

Passepartout · Dec 19, 2014

Ron98GT said:
I look forward to the cruiseships stopping there for the day, they sail right by it now. That will provide a convenient way to check out Cuba for the 1st time. I'll skip the TS's for now.

This will be an excellent way for a first visit for Americans. The Cuban infrastructure will need some time to adjust and build up for hundreds of million American visitors with pent-up demand. So far the only hotels are 'owned' by the government and operated by the military, so a nice comfy cruise ship will make a pleasant place to stay after a day ashore buying rum and cigars and listening to music.

Jim

chriskre · Dec 19, 2014

Carta said:
Always wanted to go...

Wanna see Cuba? Just come to Miami.

rosebud5 · Dec 19, 2014

Would be like going back 50 years in time. Not quite like Miami. I would love to go and hopefully will sometime in the near future.

vacationhopeful · Dec 19, 2014

chriskre said:
Wanna see Cuba? Just come to Miami.

A guy who works with me 40+ hours a week said just about the same thing ... (been back here 13 years ago) ... having lived in South Florida for over 10 years --- he doesn't need to go to Cuba.

Clemson Fan · Dec 19, 2014

Forget timeshares, how about Casinos!

Brett · Dec 19, 2014

chriskre said:
Wanna see Cuba? Just come to Miami.

but I'd like to visit Cuba before it gets over developed

[3 Cuba Threads - merged]

dioxide45

TUG Review Crew: Expert

tschwa2

TUG Review Crew: Veteran

Judy

TUG Review Crew: ELITE

am1

PigsDad

Passepartout

TUG Review Crew: Veteran

dioxide45

TUG Review Crew: Expert

SpikeMauler

GregT

TUG Member

Passepartout

TUG Review Crew: Veteran

dougp26364

TUG Review Crew: Expert

Fern Modena

CO skier

dioxide45

TUG Review Crew: Expert

MuranoJo

Ron98GT

Carta

persia

Beaglemom3

Passepartout

TUG Review Crew: Veteran

chriskre

rosebud5

vacationhopeful

TUG Review Crew: Rookie

Clemson Fan

Brett