Cuba’s historical tryst with economic development and future pathways

This paper inspects the historical development of Cuba put against its challenges in promoting tourism. Due to internal and external pressures, the economic development opportunities for Cuba were largely limited to tourism – despite the best efforts by the Cuban authorities to diversify its economy. Drawing insights from the strategy literature, the competitive advantage of Cuba in tourism is explained. We trace the pathways the Cuban economy and society took in Cuba’s its tryst with tourism as the primary development driver. Particular thrust is given to Cuba – Soviet bonhomie and the “special period”. We conclude the discussion by highlighting the hope that Obama kindled and the fears that Trump brought back in.