By Nelson Acosta

HAVANA, Cuba (Reuters) — Cuba has approved the development of golf courses, marinas and other real estate projects by foreign investors to boost the communist-run island’s tourism industry, Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero said on Tuesday.

The measure appears to open doors to foreign companies that have long-pending proposals to build at least 10 golf courses on the Caribbean island, where there are now only two.

“With the objective of developing regions that today are virgin, a policy was approved that permits real estate development associated with tourism, fundamentally golf courses, marinas and other complementary tourist investments,” Marrero told a news conference at Cuba’s annual International Tourism Fair.

Marrero said the Cuban government was in advanced negotiations with “several potential foreign partners” to build golf developments.

Golf is seen by cash-strapped Cuba as a way to attract more tourists to the island, and more with money. Last year, 2.4 million tourists visited, but they spent 12 percent less than in 2008, according to government statistics.

Even with the decline, tourism brought in more than $2 billion last year, or about 20 percent of Cuban’s foreign exchange income. Marrero said just over a million people visited Cuba in the first four months of 2010.

Cuba once had a dozen golf courses, but almost all were eliminated after the 1959 revolution that put Fidel Castro in power.

Havana has a nine-hole course used mostly by diplomats and foreign business officials, and the beach resort of Varadero, 85 miles east of the capital has an 18-hole course.

The proposed courses would include construction of luxury condos and homes, which has been a major sticking point in getting approval by the government.

Cuba prohibits foreign ownership, so golf course developers have proposed they be given long leases for their projects.

The government permitted the construction of a handful of condominiums in association with foreign companies at the end of the 1990s, most of which were sold or rented to foreigners.

Dozens of luxury hotels also have been built in joint ventures with international hotel chains.

A huge marina is being built at Varadero with the hope that U.S. sailors will one day make the 90-mile trip across the Straits of Florida to Cuba.

Americans are generally banned from visiting Cuba due to the 48-year-old U.S. trade embargo against the island, but legislation is pending in the U.S. Congress to lift the ban.

Marrero did not offer other details about the new policy, but said the official regulations would be published soon.

The new businesses “will permit the beginning of another stage for development of Cuban tourism … in areas with tourist potential that still aren’t exploited,” he said.

May 3, 2010
NCL Offers Best Price Guarantee
Money Ship (7 p.m. EDT) — NCL has joined the ranks of cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Carnival by implementing a new best price guarantee program to protect consumers against price drops after they book their cruises. But, is NCL’s scheme a boon for travelers or simply a nice offer that most people likely can’t use? Here are the details of the new “Best Price. Guaranteed.” program.

How it works: If the price of your cruise fare — on the same sailing date, same ship and same cabin category — drops 48 hours after you put down your deposit, NCL will offer you your choice of either 110 percent of the difference in onboard credit or repricing your cruise at the lower rate. So if you book a cruise for $499, and then see it advertised for $449, you’ll either get $55 in onboard credit (that must be used on the ship or forfeited) or can adjust your cruise fare down to the $449 rate.

Things to know: The same offer stands, even if you pay in full at the same time you book your cruise (rather than just putting down a deposit); in this case, you’d choose between the onboard credit and a refund to your credit card or whichever form of payment you used to pay for the cruise. The guarantee applies to cruises booked through any seller, such as NCL’s own booking department, an Internet travel seller or a travel agency.

Caveat 1: The lower rate must be a publicly advertised rate — not a promotional rate, such as a group rate, travel agency special offer, TV or radio exclusive rate or charter cruise fare. It also must still be available to book after you submit your claim form.

Caveat 2: If the price drops more than 48 hours after you put down a deposit but before final payment — depending on the NCL cruise, final payment is due 60 to 90 days prior to sailing — you can cancel and rebook your cruise under prevailing terms and conditions. You will not be able to simply adjust the price or cabin category on the existing booking. Once your cruise is paid in full, you will receive no benefit should the price drop before departure (unless you pay in full when you initially book your cruise — see above).

Caveat 3: This offer is currently only available to North Americans.

To read additional Terms & Conditions or to find the claim form for a refund, visit NCL’s Web site.

Have you ever had success getting a refund through a best price guarantee? We’d love to hear your story. Email Erica@cruisecritic.com.

–by Erica Silverstein, Senior Editor

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) — The best of Barbadian culture will be heading to Brazil.

“Bridgetown Market”, the title of a painting by Artist and Honorary Consul of Portugal to Barbados, Catherine Forter Chee-a-Tow will soon grace the walls of Barbados’ new Embassy in Brazil.

Ambassador Chee-a-Tow, presented the painting to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Maxine McClean in a brief ceremony this morning. She said “she understood the importance of our country’s presence overseas and strived to increase art’s dynamic role in promoting Barbados’ culture abroad.”

Senator McClean in turn praised the piece and maintained it depicted a “wonderful piece of old Barbadiana”, something she was quite familiar with.

“This painting not only captured activity, it also captured the entrepreneurial spirit of Barbados and Barbadians. And I believe, especially in these times when we are encouraging such a spirit of entrepreneurship, it reminds us of the importance of that…

“In terms of our initiatives in Brazil – entrepreneurship, business and commercial activity are important. And from a cultural standpoint as well, we need to encourage our young Barbadians to see art and things related to art as an important endeavour from the point of view of cultural expression,” she opined.

Chee-a-Tow stated that by partnering with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the permanent placement into the new Embassy, in Brasilia, Brazil, that “Bridgetown Market”, would encourage cross-cultural understanding within the diplomatic community and the international public.

“I extend best wishes to our first Ambassador to Brazil, Yvette Goddard, and hope that “Bridgetown Market” assists her silently, by visually sharing with the people of Brazil, the most important aspect of our culture – our people,” she concluded.

Finance consultant Donald Grant, second from right, back row, stands with the FWTT panel of organisers. The women are, from left, Rosemary Stone, FWTT public relations director; Dianne Hunt, FWTT chairman; and, Adele Beckles, FWTT seminar co-ordinator; while the gents are, from left, Stephen Doobal, FWTT media production; Kirk Cambridge-Del Pesche, international make-up artist; and, international make-up artist, Richard Young.

In respect for Trinidad & Tobago General Elections—announced last Friday as Monday, May 24—Fashion Week Trinidad & Tobago (FWTT) adjusted the dates of its third annual event to May 29-June 6. Pigeon Point, Tobago will be the place to be as the highly anticipated fashion affair opens in grand style on May 29 and will continue until May 31. The action then will move to Trinidad on June 3, until June 6, at Hyatt Regency Trinidad, Port-of-Spain, where FWTT will feature its first-ever buyer’s gallery, a robust seminar programme and the hottest after parties for those who want to see and be seen.

“Practicing your right to vote is your way to contribute to the future of our country,” said FWTT Chairperson Dianne Hunt. “Then, after you vote for your local leaders, come vote for fashion. Step out in your stilettos or sandals to Fashion Week Trinidad & Tobago and support your local designers and the future of Caribbean fashion.”

Last weekend, organisers did a final model call to give all the lovely woman and handsome gents aspiring to be part of the FWTT3 showcase a chance to vie for a position on the ramp. The screening was held at the Conference Centre of the Hyatt Regency, Port-of-Spain. Judges viewed interested female models, who were required to be a minimum of five-feet, eight-inches, dressed in form-fitting black outfits and high heels. Gentlemen were required to be a minimum of five feet, ten inches.

More Info
FWTT tickets are on sale at the following locations:

• DH Gifts, The Falls at Westmall, Trinidad
• DH Gifts, Long Circular Mall, Trinidad
• Hyatt Regency Trinidad
• Radical Designs, Scarborough, Tobago
• Pigeon Point, Tobago
www.caribbeanboxoffice.net

Check out additional information about Fashion Week Trinidad & Tobago at www.fwtt.org.

It’s sale time again at Princess Cruises, which is marking down rates for voyages around the globe by up to $1,000 per couple.

The line’s new World of Savings promotion, announced late Tuesday, encompasses select 2010 voyages to many of the line’s worldwide destinations, including Asia and Africa; Canada and New England; the Caribbean; Europe; Hawaii and the South Pacific; and the Panama Canal. The promotion runs through May 31.

Examples of World of Savings starting fares include 15-night Asia and Africa cruises from $1,599 per person; seven-night Canada and New England cruises from $549 per person; and seven-night Caribbean cruises from $499 per person.