Sex and Sentiment in Cuban Tourism (Report‪)‬

Intimate Encounters in a Transitional Society Arriving in Havana's airport in December 2003, just before tighter restrictions were imposed by the United States on travel to Cuba, I was swept along with others going through customs. As our movement slowed and we formed lines, I noticed a large-screen TV showing Cuban women dancing provocatively in skintight clothing. The images were distinctly sexualized, but it was unclear to me if they were intended to be a welcoming diversion, cultural heritage on display, or even perhaps an advertisement for beer. In a country that had expressed official concern over rising sex tourism and that strictly controls advertising, this presented a curious contradiction, albeit one of many encountered on a daily basis by travelers in Cuba. What struck me, however, was that among the many attractions this Caribbean island offers, this one was put on prominent view for visitors entering the country. (1)