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The German Democratic Republic (GDR) is typically portrayed as only allowing its citizens to travel within the 'Eastern bloc'. It has passed largely unremarked upon that from 1961 to 1989, however, tens of thousands of GDR citizens travelled to Cuba, with thousands of these journeys taking place on trade union-owned cruise ships. This article investigates the implications of this largely ignored phenomenon. Accompanying these cruises was wealth of symbolism, and the tensions within this symbolism allow us to explore the peculiar global vision constructed by GDR elites, which has hitherto been largely obscured by the depiction of the GDR as a parochial, autarchic state. Cuba was part of what was known as the "socialist world system", the collection of socialist states across the world who shared the same, socialist, societal structures. Communist theorists supposed that these societies were on a path of objective convergence, and that tourism would further this process. At the same time, Cuba was exoticized as a site of radical, southern difference and consumerist pleasure. These conflicting visions were ever present in the literature surrounding cruises to Cuba, but as time went on, the latter vision gained prominence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's experience of traveling to Cuba via El Salvador.

This study explores the relationship between nation brand familiarity and increased interest in tourism and tourism advertising effectiveness. Surveys fielded a few months before and a few months after the historic 17 December 2014 announcement of improved diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba showed an increase in familiarity with Cuba as well as increased interest in traveling to Cuba among US adults. Respondents also indicated a more favorable reaction to a 30-s ad agency-produced television commercial for Cuba tourism. Results are discussed in light of literature on destination brand familiarity as it relates to brand interest and advertising evaluation. Implications for destination marketing managers are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, I argue that the Tropicana nightclub's 1950s design expresses a cosmopolitan cubanidad, that is, a Cuban identity shaped by a cosmopolitan view of itself within the larger world. I define cosmopolitan cubanidad as an idea of cosmopolitanism with universal tendencies that exists in tandem with possibilities of the particular and local. Moreover, I maintain that cubanidad is not an equivalent to creolization or to territorialist nationalism, but is a concept of an identity, or Cuban-ness, that, while cognizant of the local and national, is also attuned to its position within a global context and interested in international connections. Furthermore, I suggest that this idea could apply to other Latin American countries, though necessarily with a different name to represent a unique local identity. Methodologically, this essay combines an analysis of the historical particularities of the Tropicana with a close readings of primary sources, namely, the design of the spaces, ephemera and performances that pertain to the Havana nightclub, to explore the characteristics and influence of cosmopolitan cubanidad. I seek to show that the venue's design demonstrates an engagement with the international design world while also attending to the cultural, political and climatic conditions of Cuba. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, the emergence of urban tourism destinations constitutes a trend, due to tourists' demand and the interest of cities in becoming new destinations, in order to enhance their socioeconomic structure. Such demand is related to the attractions, which are associated with the urban image and identity, involves local representatives and contributes to the inhabitants' awareness. For such reason, a study was conducted in order to design a tourist route, in which the British visitor can know the tangible and intangible resources of Matanzas city. It was proven that Matanzas city has tangible and intangible potentialities that distinguish it from the other cities of the country and the world, for which it could be turned into an attractive destination for all kinds of markets, if an adequate city management is carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the research was to determine the online reputation index (IRO) of the Encanto hotels of the Villa Clara tourist destination, by counting and classifying the opinions expressed in TripAdvisor. A total of three facilities of the same category were analyzed and the IRO performance was objectively described. The data processing allowed to characterize the status of the online reputation and to identify a higher percentage of valuations in the first two quarters analyzed (December 2016-February 2017 and March 2017-May 2017), coinciding with the peak season of international tourism. The information gathered is relevant for commercial management of the studied hotels, and will allow to design strategies to increase occupancy levels and economic performance in hotel facilities in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study explored the pre- and post-trip image of Cuba as a travel destination using Echtner and Ritchie's (1993) concept of destination's holistic and unique image components. The study included nine travelers comprising a professional delegation focusing on sustainable development in Cuba. Semistructured interviews were conducted via Skype with each participant before and after their trip in January 2013. Two independent researchers conducted verbatim transcription of interviews, coded data, and identified emergent themes. The perception of Cuba as an "accidental Eden" was reflected in the study participants' pre-trip expectations and reinforced by the actual experience of visiting Cuba. Participants recalled experiencing unspoiled natural beauty, a welcoming culture, and a strong sense of community grounded in art. Participants' pre-trip expectations of political tension and desperate poverty were partially countered by participants' actual experience in Cuba. Participants shared that Cuba was the safest place they had ever visited. Participants did witness indicators of poverty. However, they were also surprised that they did not see some characteristics of poverty that they often saw in the United States. An assessment of holistic and unique components of Cuba's image held by American tourists provides baseline information for Cuban tourism marketing strategies to specifically target American tourists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In tourism management, the combination of short-term actions (foreseeing challenges) allows to have higher capacity of response to the opportunities and threats this sector should face in future scenarios. In Cuba, it is a priority to make the tourism activity grow rapidly, based on an efficient development program. For such reason, considering the results of the diagnosis of the situation of the sector in the destination Holguin, the Tourism Development Program 2012-2020 was designed, which starts from an average perspective scenario, and expects to reach more than three hundred thousand visitors at the end of period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the research was to evaluate the current situation of the management of product distribution in the Western Branch of the Cubatur S. A. travel agency, to propose actions that respond to the detected problems. Theoretical and empirical methods, Pareto diagram and the SWOT matrix were used; a diagnosis procedure was applied and the key success factors were determined. It was shown that, in the tourism sector, product distribution constitutes a strategic variable in which the involvement of information and communication technologies has been established as a competitive advantage; however, in the agency under study, the distribution is inefficient, it is not seen as a competitive variable and it is based on traditional media, to which the deficiencies that place it in a situation of neglect are added. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research consists of measuring the sustainability degree for tourism destinations considering the stakeholder's preferences. Their opinions were included in the overall process during the choice of the initial indicators and determining the weights. Additionally, in the aggregation process, a sustainability index was calculated with a multiple criteria decision theory methodology, according to its ability to embrace the participant opinions in the decision-making process. Results allows determining the sustainability degree and the identification of strengths and weaknesses in terms of goals attainment. To corroborate the robustness of the index, an analysis of the rankings was performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers travel tips for Cuba and includes information, regulations and tips for flying U.S.-registered civil aircraft, accommodations, dining, ground transportation, cellphone and computer communications, and shopping.

An interview with molecular biologist Mark Ptashne of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is presented. Particular focus is given to his family background, as well as his parents' political leanings. Topics discussed include Ptashne's trip to Cuba, his work with neurologist Frank Morrell, and research work on the λ repressor.

The article explores the history of relations between Cuba and the Soviet Union with a focus on transnational responses to the Cuban Revolution during the 1960s. Emphasis is given to topics such as characterizing the relationship with the language of love, romance and eroticism, Soviet popular responses to the development of Cuban communism, the racialized aspects of Soviet assistance, and comparisons between revolutionary leader Fidel Castro and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.

This essay reads the accounts of three US travellers who visited Cuba in 1859, on the eve of the US Civil War and in the midst of debates over slavery and the possible annexation of the island. Paying careful attention to the context of these debates as well as to the influence of recently published translations of Cuban poets, it argues that the travellers saw the island as a destination characterised less by its own attributes than by its connections to global steamship trade. For all three travellers, the visit to Cuba reveals as much about idealised cosmopolitanism of trade and travel as about the flora, fauna and human population of the island. Paradoxically close and far away from US economic and political realities, the Cuba that emerges is a neutral gathering place for travellers and a catch-all of tropical and orientalist clichés. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]