COULD HAVANA CHALLENGE ORLANDO & CANCUN AS A HOT TIMESHARE DESTINATION?
Orlando and Cancun are two of the hottest timeshare destinations in the Americas, perhaps even the world. Could Cuba become the next real estate hotspot? And if not, why not?
In 1959, the Car Ferry to Havana from Florida departed twice a day. When the Embargo is lifted, Cuba will become the only 'drive-to' Caribbean Island ........ again?
The answers to all those questions are positive! The character, scale, safety, style and history of Cuba and Havana in particular make it an ideal place to purchase a well designed, well constructed 'pied a terre' under a right to use contract.
Why would I buy one? Let me count the ways,
- International playground. Havana and Cuba is a magnet for well-travelled visitors from around the world.
- Latin 'lifestyle'. Others can emulate a Latin lifestyle but few have the history, the rhythm, the panache that Cuba has.
- Culture, History & Entertainment. Richer in all three areas than Orlando and Cancun combined.
- Architecture. Ditto.
- Security and safety. Safe and secure, at least for now. Family and community values are strong so this is likely to continue.
- Healthcare. As good as it gets with limited resources. Better to come.
- Demand growth. Huge growth potential and opportunities to re-sell or rent later.
- Accessible by car. A short drive from Miami or even Atlanta and New York.
- More than beach & sun. Longer as an island than England, multiple opportunities to tour the island, its towns, villages and mountainranges.
- Friendly People. Intelligent, helpful and warm.
It would seem that on all scores, it has the right components to be successful as a timeshare and fractional destination.
It is just too bad that millions of would-be timeshare buyers can not and may not for a long time, be able to buy that 'Hemingway-like Hideway' in Havana or anywhere in Cuba. And the reason for that is that there are too many parts to the timeshare puzzle that have connections to the USA, be they Exchange Programs, Timeshare Financing, Helms Burton laws, US Currency regulations etc etc.
There is a possibility also that when the US decides to lift the embargo, it will not be done in one swift move, it may well be done in small bits and pieces and based on specific changes or democratic reforms that are made in the country. It therefore may be that an embargo is in fact in place, but with multiple holes or restrictions that could conceivably go on for years.
How tragic that would be. How sad that the Cubans and we can not benefit from the Baby Boom explosion of timeshare that could invigorate their economy, explode their tourism base and build a solid group of visitors that return each year.
For further information on timeshare solutions in Cuba, contact [email protected]
David McMillan is the former President of the Cuban Canadian Joint Venture that was formed to finance, design & build four multi use resorts in Havana East, Santa Lucia, Varadero and Cayo Coco involving hotels and timeshare.
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