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Air Canada passengers greeted in Havana with mojitos

by Jeffrey White (RSS feed) on Nov 16th 2008 at 10:00AM

If you were on Air Canada flight 370 flying from Toronto to Havana, Cuba, this past Friday -- and let's face it, you probably aren't from the US -- then you were greeted with a nice surprise upon arrival: ice cold, strong mojitos.

Cuba celebrated its 2 millionth tourist of the year on Friday. The country pulled out all the stops, throwing an airport cocktail party complete with a salsa band and welcome banners. Similar parties were held in the eastern city of Santiago and the beach resort of Varadero.

Tourist authorities in Cuba made a big deal out of it because while the country has surpassed 2 million tourists annually since 2004, this was the earliest point at which it hit this milestone.

The record for tourist visits to Cuba is 2.3 million, set three years ago. Tourist officials say they'll pass that mark this year.

And here's hoping the US may soon lift its pointless, anachronistic (not to mention ineffectual) embargo so that more Americans can be among those enjoying what Cuba has to offer. Who comprises the tourists traveling to Cuba these days? Canada, Britain, Spain and Italy are the island's top sources of visitors, says the Associated Press.

Filed under: Cuba

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Joe Nov 17th 2008 4:50AM

Americans can go to Cuba, You're just not allowed to spend any money in the country. A friend of mine (Scottish) just got back from there and said there were loads of Americans on the island. He mentioned something about them getting an all inclusive package (so they won't have to, technically, spend any money) from a Mexican tour company.

My professor used to live there before the embargo and told me it was a beautiful country. Haiti as well. One of these days I'll be able to go without having to deal with middlemen.

Mia Orange Nov 17th 2008 8:21AM

The new uS administration will probably lift the restrictions for US Citizens to travel and probably seal
the political fate of the Cuban people to be slaves of their goverment. Things will change and comunism will some day be erased from the face of the earth. I hope you can see this link and live with your conscience.
Haga click aqui:
http://roylleraphotography.com/data/slideshow/18/cuba1/index.html

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