Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Room for rent, Havana 2004


A 2005 Cuban study of the tourism industry noted that there are 5,000 to 6,000 rooms for rent in private homes, as compared to the island's 41,000 room hotel capacity. This home, at Linea and Malecon, is one of many Havana rentals. Room rental is a challenging business, but it's lucrative once one establishes a client base, which is done through Internet advertising, word of mouth, and cooperation among entrepreneurs who refer clients to each other. It also generates ancillary jobs -- maids, cooks, night watchmen, laundry service -- that pay hard currency.

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