If you are coming to Cuba...

(an extract of a reply Conner Gorry wrote on his last blog post):

If you’re coming to Cuba... donations should be targeted, thoughtful and relevant. Your casa owner does not need gifts, nor should you hand out treats on the streets (the woman tossing bags of gummy bears to little children of color during last week’s antihomophobia conga needs to learn this lesson). Partonize minority owned businesses. Avoid Air B&B (incl their experiences) – these are the country’s 1% and you’re making the well off better off, plus Air B&B has some seriously questionable business practices. Get into the provinces, where fewer tourist venture (do Cienfuegos and Trinidad count? No. I think not. Im talking Guantánamo, Las Tunas, Holguín, Granma...) Read up and become informed about contemporary class issues in Cuba.

https://hereishavana.com/2018/05/16/patrulla-122-protecting-serving-discriminating/#comment-173191

Note: Conner is very much a she, not a he.

When I am in Havana, I always try to stop by Cuba Libro in Vedado to say hello. I encourage others to do the same. You will not be disappointed.

Oops!! sorry... my bad. I know Conner is very much a she...

I thought that that community had friends in high places

Raul Castro's daughter to push for gay marriage in Cuba

For the record, I have never used Airb&b and would never do so in Cuba!

I have problem with much, not all, of the gay community in Cuba....at least in Habana. Many are jineteros looking for sex for pay from foreigners. No shortage of transvestites hustling tourists that are into that thing.

Then again, no shortage of straight Cubans doing the same.

Thanks Caney for posting this.

My pleasure John. In my opinion, a must for a first timer. Brief, clear and to the point.

I question the internet aversion to Airbnb as the Cuban casa owners I know prefer it because of the lower commissions compared to a Cuban referral plus the fact they have never had an Airbnb "no show".

Personally I have never used Airbnb but that is because I simply do not make casa reservations other than the day before arrival.

Ditto. I forget what Conner's beef with Airbnb is about, but I recently got to know 2 casa owners well who I met through Airbnb. Both were very enthusiastic about the service and use it almost exclusively to find new renters. Commission paid by the casa owner is 3%, which is considerably lower than the $5 a taxi driver or jinetero wants. And no one is banging on your door in the middle of the night asking about rooms. Payment is taken care of online in advance, money deposited in your bank acct. If you have a nice place and you build up some positive reviews you can generate a steady stream of bookings with little extra effort or expense. And I got the impression that Airbnb clients are generally easier to deal with than folks who just show up at your door with a taxi driver.

As a renter it works out pretty well also. Large selection of rooms all over the island, with descriptions and pics. Reviews from previous renters. Rates are surprisingly reasonable. If you stay extra nights you can cut Airbnb out of the equation and save a few bucks. The only negative is that it is difficult to impossible to use the site to book casas once in Cuba. You have to use a web proxy you can trust with your financial details to fool the online payment gateway and evade the embargo. But if you can swing that, Airbnb is even better. You have a directory of casas anywhere on the island with set prices, pics and reviews that you know are available, bookable the same day with a credit card.

I don't know if Conner has explained her aversion to Airbnb - but I assume there is something behind it, not just an unreasoning phobia.

#8... Airbnb has no mechanism to deposit in a Cubans bank account. The cash is muled in, from what I gather or, maybe, credited to one of those payment cards, like AIS, periodically. The latter would incur a fee, I would think . Some casa owners have complained about excessively long late payments.

They get the money from the ATM, so it must be a payment card, then. I was curious about fees as well, but when I asked they showed me the transaction on their phone which only listed the Airbnb commision. They didn't mention other fees. Maybe there's another card fee in there. Anyway, it still works out cheaper for them than other ways to drum up business.

Perhaps Airbnb has come to an arrangement with Fincimex that works out better now.

It would have to be, literally, free or someone is losing cash.

I have a mid level contact at fincimex that has been very helpful in a number of occasions in the past. Not that i am all that curious what, if any, arrangement they may have with Airbnb... If i get completely bored..lol.. I'll shoot her an email.

I have nothing to add about the specifics of how money is transferred from Airbnb to casa owners.

I only know from the two casa owners that I know well enough to be confident that they are truthful with me that they prefer an Airbnb reservation to one over one from a traditional Cuban source because they end up with more money.

Just got off the horn with my friend in Havana. She says they use an AIS card to grab the cash, it doesn't cost them anything to use and payments from Airbnb never take longer than 48 hrs.

No discount other than the 3% that Airbnb charges ? They get their rate less the 3% ?

What do you mean by “Air B&B has some seriously questionable business practices”?

Reply
connergo
May 26, 2018 at 9:06 am
Encouraging casa owners to drop prices absurdly low to remain competitive, aggravating an already critical housing crisis for Cubans (ie gentrification), rewarding the most descarado instead of the most worthy, questionable taxation practices…..

No discount other than the 3% that Airbnb charges ? They get their rate less the 3% ?

Yeah, that is my understanding. Their room rents for $25, Airbnb takes 75 cents and puts 24.25 CUC on the card. I can ask her again next time we talk.

I still don't understand what Conner is on about. Airbnb isn't doing anything other than what the Cubans themselves have been doing for decades. Cubans were doing bnb before the web existed. What I think it does do is encourage more Cuba tourism by making it easy for Cuba newbies to navigate the casa particular system.

In some other places, Airbnb may be incentivizing property owners to convert formerly residential housing into short term rentals. I'm not sure that is the case in Cuba. As we all know, Cuba's situation is unique in the world.

While I have great respect for Conner both on a personal level as well as her on the ground knowledge about Cuba, I simply must disagree with her on this point.

My specific knowledge is only from two casa owners, one in Havana and one in Holguin, that I have confidence in to speak honestly. I do sense they are representative. Both families are 1%'ers but both because of their long history of hard work and frugal lifestyle. I believe those are admirable traits, not those to refer to negatively.

The casa particular owning family in Havana bought a decrepit apartment 25 years ago. They both worked and rehabbed the place in they spare time over many years. When casa particulars became legal long ago they obtained a license. They have built up a good book of returning visitors by delivering good service long before Airbnb existed. They continue to live frugally and improve their facilities.

The family in Holguin did medical missions abroad, one being a cardiologist and the other a pharmacist. They leveraged that nest egg into buying a house, upgrading it, and then getting a license to operate a casa particular. Today, they have 3 rental rooms of which 2 have kitchens. They have high occupancy from repeat visitors plus a new new ones including a small number from Airbnb. They also own two taxis, one a modern Kia, the other an older but nice air conditioned Moskvitch. He still works as a cardiologist but when not at the hospital drives one of their taxis. The rest of the time, he manages drivers for the taxis. The once pharmacist now spends her full time managing the casa staff. They both work hard, live frugally, and invest in upgrading their business.

Airbnb had almost nothing to do with these two casa particular owner's success. That was all their effort. Airbnb may have sustain their success to a small degree but I am pleased with that.

I will also point out that I have met many casa particular owners who did little more than get a license and wait for the waves of tourist to arrive and make them wealthy. They did no improvements, no promotion, just waited for their ship to come sailing in. Many of them have surrendered their CP license. Some have occasional guests regardless of them being listed on Airbnb or not. Now some of them are beginning to be jealous of the 1%'ers and their successes.

My opinion which is quite similar to Bob's.

Airbnb forcing prices down. Didn't realize they could control or force pricing.

Gentrification..... This is a problem all over the world. I would venture to guess none of these cp's were renting rooms to Cubans, in the past. The real gentrification happening in Cuba is with properties changing hands. Even the most modest apartment is beyond the reach of 90% of Cubans. It costs, about 50k cuc to build a reasonable house, complete, in Cuba assuming you can find land. Properties are changing hands at elevated prices, remember, construction prices are not as inexpensive as one would think, due solely to family living outside of Cuba who have the means to purchase an apartment or house or do major renovations. Prices have been pushed up... Supply and demand. This includes people like me who are not Cuban but married to a Cuban and will be moving to Cuba. We have the means.

So, like in many places in this world where prices are considered far less expensive, property prices are being pushed up by foreigners.

When a tear down in Vancouver, Canads, costs over a million dollars, no local can afford that. All, affluent Chinese buying up properties forcing property prices up.

"What I think it (Airbnb) does do is encourage more Cuba tourism by making it easy for Cuba newbies to navigate the casa particular system."

The same is true for using Cuba based agencies. I am basically a Cuba newbie, and used Cuban agencies to book casas, it was easy and I preferred using a Cuban agency. Some people are used to using Airbnb and prefer that, some of us prefer to make other choices. That's why there are different hat sizes.

Re #17 & #20 - forcing prices - airbnb has "pricing suggestions" based on some odd algorithms they use. You may get a notice when updating your calendar saying something like "consider lowering your rate to get more bookings - other properties nearby are charging x per night" .
Owners can be paid via AIS or in cash, delivered to their door.

It's a suggestion. Nothing compelling anyone to lower their prices. I'm ok with that.

So AIS or cash delivered. What i thought. Thanks.

First time poster here, but long time AirBnB'r.

I'm going to Cuba next month and I used an AirBnB to book my first few nights because of 2 main reasons...

1. Walking around a foreign country, towing my luggage while looking for a place to stay is fine when I'm traveling alone but I'm with wife and kids and they NEED some sort of itinerary. Cuba is already intimidating enough for them. I didn't want the added stress of not knowing where we'd sleep when we landed.

2. Less money that I need to carry with me.

We probably paid a bit more with the cleaning fees, but not only do we have peace of mind, I found a Casa with many
recent positive reviews, comes with an english speaking guide and cook, in a great location that I wouldn't have even thought about if I hadn't came across it on AirBnB.

Makes sense but no one charges cleaning fees unless you're asking them to clean your clothes.

Your post erroneously implies that the only way to pre book or pre pay for casas is with Airbnb.
Cuba based booking agencies or casas booked direct with the owner do not charge cleaning fees.
"Cuba is already intimidating enough for them" - in what way?

The cleaning fees - I've noticed these on a few casas in Havana. I reckon because it's an option for owners to select, some think "why not?".

Absolutely!

per my post 21, we accomplished all that by using a Cuba based agency, I don't know why some folks perpetuate the myth that it is only possible with Airbnb.

per my post 21, we accomplished all that by using a Cuba based agency, I don't know why some folks perpetuate the myth that it is only possible with Airbnb.

I'm traveling (from the US) under "Support the Cuban People" category...I was under the impression that Cuba based agencies are operated by the government?

They're intimidated by Cuba being a communist country, we don't speak fluent spanish, we aren't on a resort.

per my post 21, we accomplished all that by using a Cuba based agency, I don't know why some folks perpetuate the myth that it is only possible with Airbnb.

I'm traveling (from the US) under "Support the Cuban People" category...I was under the impression that Cuba based agencies are operated by the government?

They're intimidated by Cuba being a communist country, we don't speak fluent spanish, we aren't on a resort.

Why are you thinking that Cuba based agencies are operated by the government? Many folks from the US book with Cuba based agencies, no problem. I don't speak Spanish, and had no issues in Havana. Is there anything about communist governments that you're concerned might be an issue for you in Cuba? Cuba welcomes all tourists with open arms.

And they're not government run.

I'm traveling (from the US) under "Support the Cuban People" category...I was under the impression that Cuba based agencies are operated by the government?

Even if those accomodation services were run by the government (and they're not) using that OFAC excuse does not prevent you from using most government services.
Your intimidatory fears are groundless. You do realose that a million people travelled from US to Cuba last year as well as a heap more Canadians etc etc?

Thanks for the clarification. Maybe you should speak with my wife, she's the one that is nervous! Yes, I do know that Cuba is a very popular and SAFE destination for tourists. Ok maybe my joking with her that I'll probably end up in a Cuban jail doesn't help but I did reassure her we'll be fine. She insisted that I book accommodations in advance and I used AirBnB because that's what I'm familiar with. Peace of mind for her.

As I always say on my blog: problems in Cuba are multi-factoral and neither (most) visitors, nor (most) Cubans are entirely to blame. But Air BnB is a real problem....and not just here. Barcelona, NY (my hometown), Paris, Iceland and Venice....https://www.facebook.com/ConnerGo/photos/a.190047637702062.40874.139270972779729/2107697549270385/?type=3&theater

Also, the problem must be hitting them in the heart/gut/bottom line: https://skift.com/2018/04/17/airbnb-launching-an-effort-to-address-overtourism-it-helped-create/

And how interesting: Air BnB is focusing on rural areas to divert/diversify where tourist dollars go. What I said originally about the provinces.
Cheers!!

Regarding online booking, I have noticed more and more casas appearing on Booking.com, but just be aware that it charges 15% commission.....I use Booking.com as an excellent tip sheet, look at the photos, read the reviews and then try to find a direct link to the lodging. I don't feel guilty because they didn't honor their price match guarantee once when I booked with them.

I am a professional travel writer and I do not use AirBnB because of the excessive fees (to the renter, not the owner). I'm not paying a cleaning fee nor a spurious "booking fee." It's just unnecessary. Just tell me how much the damn place costs, period. I will add that I am in the minority among my friends in this regard. Air BnB rentals are a huge issue here in California because they drive out low income renters however I can't really see how that's an issue in Cuba since casa owners already have to get a license before they can even rent their spaces.

Thanks for the update Conner.

I don't get the airbnb thing... Venice had almost no permanent residents since... 1992, long before internet was widely used. It's just an incredibly attractive destination. Before AirBnb people were renting their apartments to become jewelry shops, touristy bakeries and souvenir "balconies". As far as I remember Venice (since 30 years) it was the type of place where finding a local was equivalent to winning the lottery.

Tourists love it (for one thing, it makes spending the night IN Venice and not its satellite villages affordable to more people, not just the elite that can pay the ultra expensive hotels), owners like it... who doesn't? The elite that does not need tourist money and some visitors who (like me) complain that it's just a touristy fairytale illusion. Well, don;t visit it then. But there's nothing unethical about something that both owners and tourists benefit from. As for the "heartless" invaders the sign complains about, who judges what's heartless and what is not? Maybe the locals who sold their properties are equally heartless?

Especially in the case of Cuba, AirBnb did not cause any changes. Anyone who wanted to rent the flat did so, after complying with the laws. The one change I see many home owners stressing is that now they can market their product to a broader public. Those who are not that centrally located have found a market and -most importantly- the need for a jinetero to bring in tourists has now disappeared for the most part, a relief to both visitors and owners. Visitors know what to expect in a house, don't spend hours roaming around or being dragged by shady types who in many cases blackmailed casa owners too. I don't see Airbnb doing anything different than all those e-platforms did before AirBnb and continued doing. If I were a casa owner, I'd be very happy to have another efficient tool in my hands.

Agreed it is arguable whether Airbnb is intrinsically problematic - although many around the world including some apartment neighbours and local governments think so - the fundamental issue here is the reinforcement of the myth by some that in Cuba it is the ONLY mechanism to book a casa and/or prepay for that booking.
My personal preference is to use a Cuba based agency and/or deal direct with the casa owner. But agree that is just* my* personal preference.

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.