PERSONAL PERCEPTIONS
I have always thought of Cuba as an island that is rich in culture and the Cubans take advantage of their natural surroundings of the island and used it as the main attraction for tourists to visit the island. Especially with their geographical location, tourism receipts in the island are not really high considering the limited mode of transportation and accessibility to the island. This is commonly a fact, especially for nations that are considered more of an ‘island’ rather than country, such as Fiji and Cuba itself. Well, that was what I thought Cuba is, until a depth research is done to find out what Cuba and the Cubans are, in reality.
Being an arty-farty person myself, it is inevitable that arts and music is what attracted me the most for the island of Cuba and it is surprising that the Cubans actually focuses and ‘prioritise’ in a way, for the development for its arts industry – including music, drama, writing and play. Research has also shown that music and arts represent the culture of the Cubans in which they utilise as an ‘attraction factor’ for tourists to visit the island. Hence, I suppose, the assumption of the Cubans using the surrounding environment as the main attraction factor for tourists’ arrivals is inaccurate.
CUBA INDIGENOUSPOPULATION
In the early 1490s, it was believed that there were already three different indigenous groups living on the island of Cuba, mainly – Guanajatabeyes, Ciboneys and the Tainos.
Guanajatabeys
Research have shown that the Guanajatabeys group were the original indigenous group of Cuba, living in caves on the western part of the Cuba island and were the smallest group of indigenous population as compared to the other two – Ciboneys and the Tainos. Thus, it is not surprising that they had almost or little contact with the locals or Spanish population in the island and like most indigenous groups in other islands, fruits were the main source of food for the Guanajatabeys population.
Ciboneys
Ciboneys were a part of the Arawak group that were originally from the South American and later, spread its population to the West Indies. Unlike the Guanajatabeys, these groups of Ciboneys fished and hunt for their food. Research has also shown that these Ciboneys indigenous population were made servants to the largest population for the indigenous people – Tainos.
Tainos
Like the Ciboneys, the Tainos indigenous population were also part of the Arawak group who made their arrival in the island of Cuba from the West Indies in the 1400s. The Tainos were also believed to be the largest and most powerful indigenous groups of Cuba at that point of time.
Due to the indigenous population noted as the most powerful and largest amongst all three indigenous population, three level of social classes was established to further differentiate them from the others – Caciques, Advisers and Commoners. Caciques refer to the chiefs or nobles while advisers were more of a mid-level of the population.
The debate as to whether these groups of indigenous people are still around after the immigrations of the Europeans, African and Asian population to the island of Cuba is still going on. According to Fernando Ortiz, the conquest of these immigrants have created a radically new culture which completely devoid from the original Cuban natives. However, Jose Barreiro claims the otherwise – descendants of the Tainos population are still living in the island, with most live as herbalists or healers.
AUTHENTICITY OF CULTURE & TOURISM IMPACTS
In today’s context, the authenticity of the Cuban culture can hardly be found or experienced by tourists due to the high influx and level of influence of other national immigrations. Thus, if were to visit the island of Cuba today, most of its culture such as music and dance are no longer of its original, ‘Cuban-inspired’ arts entertainment. Instead, most are African American influenced.
This is partly due to the fact that the government does not, by and large, allow its citizens to travel. This makes them fairly curious about the ’West’ and “You get the sense that they are curious for information, with many tuning illegally into TV beamed from Florida,” as quoted by a traveller in Casa Aportlela, Cuba.
Nevertheless, the locals or Cubans have a love-hate relationship with their governance. In some ways, they see it as intrusive and creating many rules for which some that do not really exist. On the other hand, they see it as comforting in that it provides safety. An example was a Cuban national could not understand why the Canadian Government would not force Wendy's Restaurant to hire security or provide security for the late night closing staffs. This simple example explains a deep issue, in that Cubans have come to expect the government to deal with many things, and further than the separation of the state and business is very vague in Cuba.
They see many television shows and commercials about Western culture and desire things like the Nike Logo caps, but do not understand that a simple hat that should value at a normal rate, with the addition of that logo, have tripled the initiated value. “It is an almost naive response to what they see but cannot quite understand,” quoted by an American traveller.
Hence, it is clear that the locals or Cubans rely heavily on the government for their security and fairness in the society. Then again, with a propaganda and communist state of the island, it is no surprise that the most of the locals or Cubans are unaware of the development and situation in the ‘outside world’ with the strict government policies.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
February
In the second week of February, International Book Fair is happening at Havana, Cuba. This large gathering of authors, publishers, and distributors is really only of interest to those who can read in Spanish. But if you can, this is an excellent Latin American book fair.
International Jazz Festival at Havana is also held on the month of February. This festival, which used to be held in December, is organized by Chucho Valdés. The festival usually draws a handful of top international bands and soloists to share the stage and billing with a strong stable of best jazz talents of Cuba
Lastly, Habanos Festival is also held at Havana where cigar smokers have their time with the annual celebration of the Cuban stogie. Run by the official state cigar company, Habanos, S.A., events include lectures, factory visits, tastings, and a gala dinner with an auction of rare cigars.
March
Happening in mid-March, International Festival of "La Trova" Pepe Sánchez is held at the Santiago de Cuba. This caters to the individuals who enjoy the sounds of traditional Cuban folk music. Local Santiagueros are the heart of the festival, but singers and groups come from the entire island and throughout Latin America.
Celebration of Classic Cars at Havana is also organised around the same weeks. Recognizing the appeal of its huge fleet of classic American cars, Cuba has organized a week-long celebration of these Detroit dinosaurs. Events include lectures, mechanical workshops, and parades. Owners from other countries are encouraged to bring their wheels to Cuba, and a caravan from Havana to another colonial city is usually orchestrated.
April
In the week of mid-April, International Percussion Festival PERCUBA is organised at Havana. This large meeting of percussionists draws national and international scholars and players working in genres ranging from classical to fusion.
May
May Day parades happening all around the island of Cuba on the first day of the month – May 1. Experience the traditional socialist celebration of Labor Day joining one of the many parades and public gatherings. The biggest celebration of them all takes place at the Plaza de la Revolución in Havana, where more than 100,000 people usually gather to listen to the president's annual May Day speech.
June
Happening in late June is the International Festival "Boleros de Oro," Havana. You'll be crying in your Cuban highball cocktail. Theatres, clubs, and concert halls across Havana will be filled with the sweet and melancholy sounds of bolero. Concerts are also staged in Santiago and other major cities.
From these listed events and musical performances, it is clear that the Cubans focus more on their arts and entertainment industries to pull in tourists to visit the island of Cuba.
DISNEYFICATION
Theming
Theming basically refers to the idea of infusing a place with a particular idea. Therefore, in relation to Cuba, theming have definitely exist and evident with the idea perceived by most travellers that Cuba is still a communist country and operating in a propaganda governance.
Hybrid Consumption
Hybrid consumption refers to the concept of being able to consume multiple opportunities in a particular location. Again, in relation to the island of Cuba, I believe this concept does exist and still happening on the island with the availability of choices for travellers to experience when they visit Cuba. For example, a traveller can experience the natural coastline beaches and at the same time, enjoy the Cuban arts and entertainment events, which run almost every month of the year.
Merchandising
In terms of merchandising, Cuba have a strong sense of propaganda governance in which the government wanted the locals to perceive or have the idea that the government is there for them and are of a good organisation. Hence, in terms of promoting the government to the locals, merchandising have existed, but in reference to the souvenirs that travellers bought, have yet to be determined.
Performative Labour
With performative labour referring to the idea of making employees not only provide service but entertain as well, in relation to Cuba island, I feel that this concept do exists with the establishment of concerts and performances by the local community. They not only provide warm and friendly welcome to the travellers from all around the globe, but also performs as an act of entertainment for these groups of travellers when they visit the concerts and stage performances.
REFLECTIONS
In an overview, I feel that the local community – Cubans is at the disadvantaged of not understanding and knowing about the situation in the outside world. With the strict and powerful government control of the peoples’ lives, it is hard for them to voice out their concerns although most are inevitably just following the rules and regulations that have been set by the government. At the same time, their easy way of life also impressed me on how the government managed to portray themselves as the organisation that the Cubans need, despite the angst of the people against the government for implementing the different rules to restrict the Cubans from any actions that are deemed threatening to the government position.
In addition, I also felt that Cuba have successfully managed to attract the tourists to visit the island through the concept of using their cultures and lifestyles as an attraction factor for the tourists. Similarly like Fiji Island, I feel that the tourism is sustainable with a win-win situation for both parties – locals gets the foreign exchange benefits and tourists gets to experienced the Cuban culture.
Therefore, all in all, the most amazing factor throughout the research process for me, is on how Cuba are actually beginning to ‘open-up’ to tourists although the presence of propaganda and communism is still strong in the island.
Labels: TOURISM ASGT.
the most difficult phase in life is not when nobody understands you, but
when you don't understand yourself.
if running away doesn't help, then hide yourself somewhere.
they say, everyday may not be good but there's always something good in
every day. so, where's my goodness for today?
Labels: PERSONAL.
Labels: RANDOM.
now, this is project management.
Labels: PERSONAL.