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Airbnb now open for business in Cuba

Jumping ahead of the airlines and hotel chains, Airbnb has opened its first list of lodgings available in Cuba, mostly rooms in existing "Casas Particulares," which are private rentals of rooms in homes. Airbnb, famous for "disrupting" the lodging industry in general, says that this is a non-disruptive entry into Cuba because it works with existing structures.

 

Of course, starting to do business in Cuba has other issues, including many hosts who have no internet service and who operate on cash. Airbnb's advance agents had to build a network of intermediaries to manage listings, and a licensed funds remitter to pay the hosts in cash.

 

There are about 1000 listings in the first group, mostly clustered in Havana. Bloomberg News for MORE

 

Photo: Airbnb     Room: $27/night

 

The best part of every trip is realizing that it has upset your expectations

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The internet is accessible for most people in Cuba. 

Phone lines are still a rare item for private houses.

Many share a local service with business and families using the same web address.

Just like we used to - when we shared a public phone.

Yes - years ago - I know !

I know this is open to double meaning in this context...but yes, I remember sharing a party line. Leavenworth, KS, 1951.

 

Our number was 779-J and we were #10 of the 12 families on the line. There was a distinct ring for each family...can't remember ours (I was 7 at the time).

The best part of every trip is realizing that it has upset your expectations

Last edited by Paul Heymont

Ours was 2 shorts and a long (or was it 2 longs and a short?), also early '50s, Danville, California.  It was an idyllic new subdivision in the rolling golden hills, golf course next door and a community pool under the oaks, a short walk from home.  It would never have occurred to us that a party line made life any less wonderful.

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