• Submitted by: admin
• Travel and Tourism
• 05 / 15 / 2010

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Cuba has only two golf courses, the other 10 were eliminated by the revolution in 1959. That is going to change soon, however, because the tourism ministry announced a new policy to allow foreign companies to build new tourism facilities in Cuba, including at least 10 courses, marinas and other developments.

The move is an effort to increase tourism revenue, which accounts for about 20 percent of Cuba's foreign-exchange income. And evidently betting on the eventual lifting of the 48-year-old U.S. embargo, officials have sanctioned the building of a huge marina, hoping to lure U.S. sailors.

WORLD TRAVEL WATCH is a weekly report designed to help you make informed judgments. Because travel conditions can change overnight, always make your own inquiries.

In the United States, contact the State Department via phone (888-407-4747; 317-472-2328; 202-647-5225), fax (202-647-3000), or (travel.state.gov); abroad, check in with the nearest American embassy or consulate.

•Larry Habegger is executive editor of the award-winning Travelers' Tales book series

( www.travelerstales.com), editor-in-chief of Triporati.com and is based in San Francisco.

By LARRY HABEGGER Hartford Courant

Source: www.courant.com