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[Adventurer]

Page last updated at 14:25 GMT, Monday, 31 March 2008 15:25 UK
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Cuba loosens controls on hotels

Cubans will be allowed to use hotel facilities as paying guests
The Cuban government has lifted a ban on its citizens staying in hotels previously reserved for foreigners, hotel staff say.

It is the latest reform announced under new President Raul Castro.

Last week, the state said Cubans would be allowed unrestricted access to mobile phones for the first time.

The new Cuban hotel guests, like the foreign tourists, will have to pay in hard currency - on an island where the average wage is about $17 (�9) a month.

Correspondents say the ban on Cuban nationals using hotels - often described as "economic apartheid" - has been a source of frustration for local people since the Communist island opened up to tourism in the 1990s.

Hotel employees, at locations such as Havana's Nacional, said unofficially that they had been told by officials that Cubans would be allowed to stay in hotels across the island from midnight on Monday (0400 GMT Tuesday).

CUBA

[Milwaukiedave]

I think it's good that we are seeing some reforms. As the article states though, most Cubans can't afford to stay in a hotel.

I also have a strong feeling this isn't the last change we are going to see. Most likely they will be a few things here and there that will take place in terms of reforms until both Castros die.

[Adventurer]

It's good that Cuba is seeing some reforms. Maybe, some visible middle class might emerge in Cuba. That would be grand. And, maybe, maybe some American government will go a little easier on Cuba in return. I would like to see an end to the embargo. Cuba has a lot of cultural assets, great music, people etc..... I hope Raul can pass some more reforms and move to a more mainstream socialism instead of the dinosaur communism that's still there.

[catman]

Drop the embargo and flood that place with US business and tourists. Let capitalism shine.