The Reform Czar Doesn’t Authorize Private Cooperatives in Tourism

The Reform Czar Doesn't Authorize Private Cooperatives in Tourism /
Polina Shvietsova Martinez
Posted on March 14, 2014

Marino Murillo argues that the conditions are not conducive . Afraid of
private talent? Of losing control?

HAVANA, Cuba . – ComTur, an alternative project for the development of
tourism, tried to start up within the law, to generate local and
community development. But it has been stopped.

A source close to the project reported, "One of the members sent a
letter to Minister Marino Murillo on 30 October 2012, to get approval.
The minister responded with the bad news: ComTur's legalization was not
approved. According to this source, Murillo, "Noted the project, but
said he still cannot authorize the formation of a private cooperative
for tourist workers, because the conditions are not conducive."

ComTur calls itself a Consulting Partnership project. It's objective
would provide advice to rural and urban communities. It would also offer
its services to groups of self-employed, relative to their lodging and
food offerings relative to tourist potential. They would also advise,
relative to tourism, on natural and social-cultural resources in these
areas.

This project was developed on the basis of the so-called "Guidelines for
the economic and social policy of the party and the Revolution," the
road map of the "updating of the Cuban economic model."

In the Guideline 264, page 33, Chapter IX, Tourism Policy, states, "To
design and develop as part of the municipal initiative for the
territories, attractive tourist offerings as a source of hard currency
income: accommodation, food services, social, cultural and historical
activities, horseback riding, rural tourism, observation of flora and
fauna, among others."

ComTur is composed of professionals and academics who have treasured
long experience and results in the management of community and tourist
plans in Cuba and abroad. They are seeking to channel all their
knowledge in ways that is beneficial for the country, and at that same
time allows them to earn a fair return for their professional services.

The specialists began their consulting work in the city of Santa Isabel
de las Lajas, in Cienfuegos province, for the purpose of enabling
festivals in memory of Benny More there. Another place where the work of
ComTur could be useful is in the capital community of Regla. "They
should pay attention, it's an iconographic place of traditional popular
culture, the cradle of the Regla Guaracheros. This town is the strategic
axis for the promotion of international tourism and is in the area of
the future development program of Havana Bay."

The response of the "Reform Czar," is further evidence of the chronic
ineptitude of those who pull the strings of the system, and its sick
fear of creating legal spaces for private talent.

Cubanet, 13 March 2014, Polina Shvietsova Martinez

Source: The Reform Czar Doesn't Authorize Private Cooperatives in
Tourism / Polina Shvietsova Martinez | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/the-reform-czar-doesnt-authorize-private-cooperatives-in-tourism-polina-shvietsova-martinez/