What will happen to Miami's economy when Cuba becomes an exotic cruise ship mecca? Will Miami be 'more on the map' ? (Orlando: best hotel, purchase)

[Tiger Beer]

In my experience, every location I have ever been a tourist, everyone else I've met there has always wanted to go to that place as well.

Otherwise, of course, they wouldn't have went.

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Regarding Havana being open for tourists and taking away tourists to Miami. Not going to happen. For one, the mass majority of the world can go to either one without a problem. The only difference would be Americans, and the kind of Americans that would visit Miami are of one breed, and the kind that would go to Cuba are the kind that probably go Dominican Republican or Mexico or somewhere (i.e. the kind that don't mind visiting a Spanish-speaking country)...etc.

Generally speaking though...this is like saying 'hey, North Korea might open up, does this mean South Korea is going to lose a bunch of tourists?' The answer is 'NO'. It just means that people so-inclined to see North Korea under such conditions will probably also visit South Korea as well...

[Leovigildo]

Tiger

Before 1959, American Tourists that went to Cuba went there as an extensión of the keys.

A "further step".

There were daily ferries, flights every hour and hotels in Havana were better, more luxurious than the ones in Miami, and there were casinos, porno shows, luxurious department stores and more amenities than the ones offered in Miami.

There were no gaming or dry laws and Havana was a tax heaven.

But Havana back then was a superb city, something you can attest by studying the ruins.

But now it might take years, decades, or who knows?

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by Leovigildo

Tiger

Before 1959, American Tourists that went to Cuba went there as an extensión of the keys.

A "further step".

There were daily ferries, flights every hour and hotels in Havana were better, more luxurious than the ones in Miami, and there were casinos, porno shows, luxurious department stores and more amenities than the ones offered in Miami.

There were no gaming or dry laws and Havana was a tax heaven.

But Havana back then was a superb city, something you can attest by studying the ruins.

But now it might take years, decades, or who knows?

I know what you mean...but also Miami was a little backwater selling swampland as well in 1959, etc.

Now it is a major international city and major destination and attracting people from all over the world.

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by cuba libre

Ok, lets assume that tomorrow, Obama signs into law that ALL Americans can travel to Cuba, SPEND MONEY THERE, start businesses there, etc etc.

First of all, the infrastructure is so decrepit in Cuba, I think it will take at least 5-10 years before the island can accept 'regular' tourists. Ports have to be modernized, harbors dredged, and social services like modern ambulances and hospitals need to take hold. Then there is the deal with the legal system there in regards to foreigners, as there are many gray areas here.

If Cuba opened up tomorrow, and tourists started booking flights on AeroCaribe, Cubana, Aero Mexico, or even American carriers to go to Cuba, I think that they would fit into the 'eco tourist' category due to the state of Cuba's infrastructure. Trust me, a simple drive from downtown Havana to Jose Marti International Airport can be an 'adventure'. What a colorful drive this can be.

What will happen to Miami's tourist economy when Havana builds itself back into a world class "Beirut of Latin America" ? Will the cruise ship port look emptier? Will Miami Beach cater to more of a "Panama City beach crowd" in an attempt to maintain its level of revenue?

Or will the sheer influx of everyone trying to see Cuba put Miami on the map more than ever?

You bring up some great points. I think this should be a wake up call to Miami. They need to stop relying on tourism for most of their economy and start diversifying. They need to give their all to getting businesses there and to fostering home grown businesses as well. They need to clear as many hurdle as possible for people who are out of work but who are brilliant to start businesses. This coming depression isn't the end of the world; it is actually a great opportunity. It is going to clear out those who are not good at business and level the playing field. Those who have good business models, people skills and know how can step into the void and dominate. The city and county of Miami Dade now need to set up workshops, grants and other things to help these entrepreneurs start these businesses.

[bale002]

Originally Posted by Wild Style

They need to stop relying on tourism for most of their economy and start diversifying. ... people who ... are brilliant to start businesses ... clear out those who are not good at business and level the playing field. Those who have good business models, people skills and know how can step into the void and dominate. The city and county of Miami Dade now need to set up workshops, grants and other things to help these entrepreneurs start these businesses.

Those are exactly the kind of people that the people in power now fear, and they will use every means at their disposal to prevent what you describe from happening while giving the appearance of doing the opposite.

I've seen this film before.

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by bale002

Those are exactly the kind of people that the people in power now fear, and they will use every means at their disposal to prevent what you describe from happening while giving the appearance of doing the opposite.

I've seen this film before.

why would they be scared you think?

[Tjam]

With low air fare from Cuba to Miami, Cubans could be flooding into Miami to shop, especially the better-off white Cubans of Fidel's middle class. This could give Miami a spike in business.

[bale002]

Originally Posted by Wild Style

why would they be scared you think?

The short answer is that most of them would lose their jobs in politics and the bureaucracy, and they would struggle to do something actually productive for a living rather than sucking off the production of others.

It is easier to lord over the many hapless than to govern in partnership with the creative.

In part, globalization has meant that the US ruling class has finally learned this, thus the passing of so-called American exceptionalism in history.

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by bale002

The short answer is that most of them would lose their jobs in politics and the bureaucracy, and they would struggle to do something actually productive for a living rather than sucking off the production of others.

It is easier to lord over the many hapless than to govern in partnership with the creative.

In part, globalization has meant that the US ruling class has finally learned this, thus the passing of so-called American exceptionalism in history.

Ah I see what you are saying. South Florida needs a revolution

[SoBe_ToBe?]

Originally Posted by bale002

Those are exactly the kind of people that the people in power now fear, and they will use every means at their disposal to prevent what you describe from happening while giving the appearance of doing the opposite.

Originally Posted by bale002

The short answer is that most of them would lose their jobs in politics and the bureaucracy, and they would struggle to do something actually productive for a living rather than sucking off the production of others.

I think there is a fallacy in your logic, or maybe I'm just not sure what you're trying to say. First, you mentioned the people in power. But in your follow-up, it doesn't seem like you're talking about people in power at all. It sounds more like you're talking about low and mid-level government employees and elected officials. Those would be the people who are scared of losing their jobs, in my opinion. I wouldn't think a truly powerful person would have that concern.

Can you clarify who you are referring to?