Cuba trip report (March/April 2017)

I'm cheap and didn't like the food (and am really not picky!) so I used quite a bit of the Cuban pesos (CUP).

Sorry, but I don't understand the relation between you not liking the food, and using CUPs...

I thought "paladar" was the name for all private restaurants. Locals explained that was only high-end restaurants.

You were right in your first thought. A paladar IS a non-Government private restaurant, whether high or low end.

Well, we'll agree to disagree on this one. The same agencies that had years to build their business still suck in comparison to the smooth, almost hassle free business model that Airbnb provides. I totally understand how Airbnb waltzed and commanded the entire market in a few months.

I would never use them nor do I recommend them, but I perfectly understand why others do, especially Americans.

Cheers,
Terry

It was easier for us to book a casa in Havana with Cubaccommodation than it was to book with AirBnb in Ireland.

Well, we'll agree to disagree on this one. The same agencies that had years to build their business still suck in comparison to the smooth, almost hassle free business model that Airbnb provides. I totally understand how Airbnb waltzed and commanded the entire market in a few months.

I would never use them nor do I recommend them, but I perfectly understand why others do, especially Americans.

Cheers,
Terry

this is a board about Cuba and Cheersterry makes some good points. Why is it relevant that Air BNB was not easy for you in booking Ireland?

It was easier for us to book a casa in Havana with Cubaccommodation than it was to book with AirBnb in Ireland.

There's always exceptions to the rule John, no argument there.

That doesn't change the fact though that Airbnb crushed the local booking agencies and captured a larger market share than any of them - and did it in just a few short months.

It's a sad state of affairs, but business is business and I certainly understand how/why the chips fell where they did.

Cheers,
Terry

Agreed, it is a sad state of affairs, as I said on another site, the words Manifest Destiny come to mind.

It was easier for us to book a casa in Havana with Cubaccommodation than it was to book with AirBnb in Ireland.

There's always exceptions to the rule John, no argument there.

That doesn't change the fact though that Airbnb crushed the local booking agencies and captured a larger market share than any of them - and did it in just a few short months.

It's a sad state of affairs, but business is business and I certainly understand how/why the chips fell where they did.

Cheers,
Terry

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