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BY ILSA RODRIGUEZ
TOURISM Minister Manuel Marrero has
recommended that tourists intending to visit Cuba
from November 8 onward should avoid using U.S.
dollars and, instead, bring other convertible
currencies.
At a press conference Marrero
stated: "it is recommended that from that date,
visitors to the country not carry U.S. dollars and
instead bring euros, Canadian dollars, GBP
sterling, or Swiss francs, whatever is be easier
and more economical. "
He clarified, however, that
tourists
who so wish will be able to use U.S. dollars,
although he pointed out that a surcharge of 10%
will be applied when purchasing convertible pesos,
a measure announced last Monday by President Fidel
Castro.
In his speech, Marrero said that
alongside the circulation of convertible pesos,
the euro is an alternative currency in specific
locations in six tourism complexes that currently
offer this service: Varadero, Jardines del Rey
(Ciego de Avila province) Santa Lucia (Camagűey),
Covarrubias in Las Tunas, the tourist area of
Holguín, and Cayo Largo del Sur in the vicinity of
the Isle of Youth.
In a detailed report on the matter,
the minister stated that this measure (the 10%
surcharge on exchanging dollars for convertible
pesos) "has not been adopted to generate
additional income, but to discourage the use and
actual circulation of U.S. dollars and to offset
the costs and risks stemming from the use of this
currency within the national economy."
He highlighted that 75% of tourists
who travel to Cuba habitually use currency that
can be exchanged for convertible pesos in any
establishment, simply based on the international
market rate of exchange (without any additional
surcharge)
The majority of visitors to Cuba
come from Canada (28%), the European countries
(40%) including the United Kingdom (7%), he
emphasized.
He also announced that they will be
able to continue using international credit and
debit cards accepted in Cuba, either to make
payments or to withdraw cash, for which nobody
will be surcharged, including credit cards issued
in U.S. dollars.
From November 8, prices at
international marinas, terminals, cruise docks and
duty free stores at the airports will be in
convertible pesos, but U.S. dollars will be
accepted with the announced surcharge of 10%. (PL) (Granma) October 28, 2004
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