Canadian tourists still flock to Cuba despite political doubt

Canadian tourists still flock to Cuba despite political doubt

Fri Aug 4, 4:38 PM ET

OTTAWA (AFP) - Canadians have not been dissuaded from booking vacations
to Cuba by political uncertainty in the Caribbean island over the health
of leader Fidel Castro, travel agents said.

There have been no trip cancellations and no drop in flight reservations
since the aging Communist leader on Monday handed power over to his
brother Raul while he recovers from surgery for intestinal bleeding.

"There's been no change," Louise Garneau of travel agency Yvon Dupuis in
Montreal told AFP. "However, this is the low season for travel to Cuba."

Other agencies echoed this perspective.

Cuba is the fifth most popular destination for Canadians after the
United States, Mexico, Britain and France. Some 500,000 tourists travel
there each year, primarily in winter, according to Canada's foreign
affairs department.

"Our flights to Cuba continue as usual. There's been no impact," said
Isabelle Arthur, a spokeswoman for Air Canada.

"It's business as usual," said Sylvain Desjardins of tour operator Air
Transat which organizes six trips per week from Canada to Cuban resorts.

"We've had only one or two people call to ask about the situation, but
that's all. I believe most people trust the situation will not change
for the worse," he added.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060804/lf_afp/canadacubatourism_060804203536