Discussions on whether Cuba will become the top spot for tourism in the Caribbean are set for next week's Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference (CHTIC), where Tourism Minister Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace will make a presentation.

Indeed, 'Cuba: Will it become the number one tourism destination' is one of the most highly anticipated sessions at CHTIC 2010. A major focus will be placed on the outlook for U.S. legislation to end the travel ban and the economic impact it will have on other destinations throughout the Caribbean.

"The opening of Cuba for U.S. tourists will have profound implications on the entire region," said Enrique De Marchena Kaluche, President of CHTA. "It's an exciting, long overdue moment in our history, but it must be carefully strategized to ensure the right kinds of developments are in the pipeline as we prepare to welcome Cuba back into the mainstream tourism sector for the U.S. market."

Emily Morris, who writes for the Economist Intelligence Unit, is slated to be a speaker on the panel as well as Dr. Timothy Ashby, who is a licensed U.S. attorney. Morris is currently completing a doctoral thesis at London University on Cuba's post-1990 economic adjustment in comparative context. Ashby will speak on specializing in developing strategies that will allow trade and investment in Cuba while remaining compliant with U.S. federal laws and regulations.

Dr. Ashby served at the U.S. Commerce Department, International Trade Administration, as Director of the Office of Mexico and the Caribbean, during which he was involved in discussions with the Cuban government on issues such as compensation for expropriated U.S. assets, technical assistance in developing offshore oil deposits, telecommunications, and airline over flight and landing rights. He subsequently visited Cuba at the invitation of Cuba's Ministry of Informatics and Communications (MINIT) to assess the island's information technology development.

The conference is set for next week in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

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