Trouble in Paradise?

When the Castro organized crime family seized control of Cuba, one of the first things it did was drive away the tourists.

After it bankrupted the old USSR in the late 80’s –early 90’s, it was forced to find new victims to fleece and swindle. So they re-introduced the tourism industry via joint ventures with foreign companies and set up a separate society especially for tourists.

These willing victims became the Spanish, French, German, English, Canadian tourists among others.

Now, even these victims are starting to stay away.

In the first 2 months of 2007 tourism to the Island Prison is down 9.73% over last year.

In February, tourism from Spain had the largest drop at 45%. Germany followed with a 20% drop, Italy with 17%, France with 15% and the UK with a little over 4%. (according to EFE.com)

This unprecedented drop in tourism has forced the Cuban government to predict that the Cuban “economy” will only grow at 10% down 2.5% from last year.

They did not have any statistics or predictions on the Cuban “economy’s” largest sector, the black market.

The excuses ..err.. I mean reasons for the decline in visits to the quaint little island prison….You guessed it , the US “embargo” and global warming.