May 05, 2010

Cuba opens the way for foreign investors to build luxury golf resorts

07:59 AM
By Franklin Reyes, AP

Although 2.4 million tourists visited Cuba last year, many did not stay long or spend much money, prompting Havana to look for ways to attract more affluent visitors.

The BBC says a number of European and Canadian investment firms have already proposed building luxury sea front apartments and villas with golf courses.

"A policy was approved that permits real estate development associated with tourism, fundamentally golf courses, marinas and other complementary tourist investments," Marrero said.

There is now only one 18-hole golf course on the island, but there are plans, some well advanced, to build 10 new one.

To get around a Communist ban on foreign ownership, the government is reportedly weighing rules to allow foreigners to ink medium- to long-term leases of real estate, the BBC reports.

If U.S. rules permitted, would you visit Cuba?
Yes
Yes, but only post-Communist
No
http://content.usatoday.com/communities ... f-resorts/