{"page":"\u003clink rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https://lessonplanet.com/assets/packs/css/resources-572d6a42.css\" /\u003e\n\u003clink rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https://lessonplanet.com/assets/packs/css/lp_boclips_stylesheets-f4d0de30.css\" media=\"all\" /\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-title='Capitalism comes to Cuba with luxury hotel' data-url='/boclips/videos/5c54d587d8eafeecae1fc222' data-video-url='/boclips/videos/5c54d587d8eafeecae1fc222' id='bo_player_modal'\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='boclips-resource-page modal-dialog panel-container'\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='react-notifications-root'\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-header'\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-type'\u003e\n\u003ci aria-hidden='true' class='fai fa-regular fa-circle-play'\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\nVideo\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch1 class='rp-title' id='video-title'\u003e\nCapitalism comes to Cuba with luxury hotel\n\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-actions'\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='mr-1'\u003e\n\u003ca class=\"btn btn-success\" data-posthog-event=\"Signup: LP Signup Activity\" data-posthog-location=\"body_link_boclips\" data-remote=\"true\" href=\"/subscription/new\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGet Free Access\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e for 10 Days\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e!\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-body'\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-info'\u003e\n\u003cdiv aria-label='Hide resource details' class='rp-hide-info' role='button' tabindex='0'\u003e\u0026times;\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ci aria-label='Expand resource details' class='rp-expand-info fai fa-solid fa-up-right-and-down-left-from-center' role='button' tabindex='0'\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\n\u003ci aria-label='Compress resource details' class='rp-compress-info fai fa-solid fa-down-left-and-up-right-to-center' role='button' tabindex='0'\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-rating'\u003e\n\u003cspan class='resource-pool'\u003e\n\u003cspan class='pool-label'\u003ePublisher:\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class='pool-name'\u003e\n\u003cspan class='text'\u003e\u003ca data-publisher-id=\"30356011\" href=\"/search?publisher_ids%5B%5D=30356011\"\u003eCurated Video\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-description'\u003e\n\u003cspan class='short-description'\u003eLEADIN:               A former Cuban shopping arcade in central Havana has been transformed into a luxury five-star hotel.               For a nation founded on ideals of social equality, the state-run hotel is seen by many as a temple...\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class='full-description hide'\u003eLEADIN: \u003cbr/\u003e              A former Cuban shopping arcade in central Havana has been transformed into a luxury five-star hotel. \u003cbr/\u003e              For a nation founded on ideals of social equality, the state-run hotel is seen by many as a temple to conspicuous capitalism.\u003cbr/\u003e              STORYLINE: \u003cbr/\u003e              In the heart of Havana.... a haven of luxury. \u003cbr/\u003e              With other sectors declining, Cuba's increasingly important tourism industry is under pressure to change the reputation of its state-run hotels for charging exorbitant prices for rooms and food far below international standards. \u003cbr/\u003e              The Manzana de Gomez Kempinski bills itself as Cuba's first real five-star hotel, and the brand-name shops around it appear designed to reinforce that.\u003cbr/\u003e              Rafael Hernández, a political scientist and director of Cuban cultural magazine 'Temas', says the location means that high-end tourists will be able to experience real life in downtown Havana. \u003cbr/\u003e              \"This hotel is the most expensive and luxurious of Cuba, the guests of this hotel are not going to live in a hotel that is in an isolated place, disconnected from Cuba, they will live in a place that is in the heart of Havana and in that place, they will have contact with the real Cuban culture.\" \u003cbr/\u003e              The Manzana de Gomez mall in the ground floor of the building has become a socio-cultural phenomenon since its opening earlier this year. \u003cbr/\u003e              Many Cubans wander wide-eyed through its polished-stone passages gazing at the first Cuban branches of luxury brands like L'Occitane, Mont Blanc and Lacoste. \u003cbr/\u003e              Havana Resident María Elena Corcho says that she is pleased that Cuba is welcoming business, but adds that few ordinary people can afford the items on sale. \u003cbr/\u003e              \"For us it is like a museum, we see a lot of good things, but we would have to work a few months to get a product. I think it is a very good option because it is developing in Cuba and maybe at some point we could receive the salary we wanted, but for now most of us can not.\"\u003cbr/\u003e              At L'Occitane, en Provence perfume costs US$ 95.20 per bottle and the face cream is US$ 162.40 an ounce. \u003cbr/\u003e              Elsewhere in the mall a Canon EOS camera is priced at US$ 7,542.01. \u003cbr/\u003e              ''Most of the residents of Old Havana do not buy in any of the numerous hotels that are around the central park, nor in the area of Old Havana around the avenue of the port, the residents of Old Havana buy in other shops, in state stores or buy from private merchants,'' says Hernandez. \u003cbr/\u003e              Fashion designer and boutique owner Mario Freixas says that most tourists will be put off by exorbitant prices. \u003cbr/\u003e              ''I think there must be prices for everything, but the trend should be average prices because even the national customer or tourist always looks for an economy option, with the exceptions of certain customers that are looking for more exquisite things.''\u003cbr/\u003e              Back at the hotel guests are surrounded by 5 star luxury, with the most expensive furnishings and facilities.\u003cbr/\u003e              Hernández says the development will benefit both locals and visitors. \u003cbr/\u003e              \"They have the real Cuban society at the door of the hotel. We don't have to show the tourist an artificial society. I think that the greatest attraction of Cuba is the society, it is the Cubans, and that contact between Cubans and hotel guests who are going to walk down the street, as the other guests from other hotels do, it is both good for Cubans as well as for visitors.\"\u003cbr/\u003e              Although managed by the Swiss chain Kempinski, the hotel is owned by the Cuban army tourism company, Gaviota. \u003cbr/\u003e              Gaviota, the military's tourism company, is in the midst of a hotel building spree. The military corporation Cimex, created two decades ago, counts retail stores, auto-rental businesses and even a recording studio among its holdings.\u003cbr/\u003e              The Cuban armed forces' business arm has become the nation's biggest retailer, importer and hotelier since Gen. Raul Castro became president in 2008.\u003cbr/\u003e              With its economy in recession and longstanding oil aid from Venezuela in doubt, the Cuban government appears torn between the need for market-based reforms and the fear of social inequality that would spawn popular dissatisfaction and calls for political change.\u003cbr/\u003e            \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e              Havana, Cuba -  June 10, 2017\u003cbr/\u003e              1. Wide shot of ''Gran Hotel Manzana''\u003cbr/\u003e              2. Mid of the ''Gran Hotel Manzana'' logo with flags \u003cbr/\u003e              3. Various of the hotel \u003cbr/\u003e              4. ''Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski'' sign \u003cbr/\u003e              \u003cbr/\u003e              Havana, Cuba -  June 20, 2017\u003cbr/\u003e              5. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Rafael Hernández, political scientist and director of Temas magazine: \u003cbr/\u003e              \"This hotel is the most expensive and luxurious of Cuba, the guests of this hotel are not going to live in a hotel that is in an isolated place, disconnected from Cuba, they will live in a place that is in the heart of Havana and in that place, they will have contact with the real Cuban culture\" \u003cbr/\u003e              6. Tilt down of the Gran Manzana hotel restaurant \u003cbr/\u003e              7. Pan left of the cigar room\u003cbr/\u003e              8. Wide of the shopping complex of the hotel\u003cbr/\u003e              9. The Giorgio VIP shop at the ''Gran Manzana'' hotel\u003cbr/\u003e              10. The shop worker at the Giorgio VIP shop\u003cbr/\u003e              \u003cbr/\u003e              Havana, Cuba -  June 21, 2017\u003cbr/\u003e              11. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) María Elena Corcho, Havana resident: \u003cbr/\u003e              \"For us it is like a museum, we see a lot of good things, but we would have to work a few months to get a product. I think it is a very good option because it is developing in Cuba and maybe at some point we could receive the salary we wanted, but for now most of us can not \"\u003cbr/\u003e              12. Wide of the ''Mont Blanc'' shop\u003cbr/\u003e              13. Watches with prices\u003cbr/\u003e              14. Pens with prices\u003cbr/\u003e              15. Various of expensive watches with prices\u003cbr/\u003e              16. Wide of the Nikon photo shop \u003cbr/\u003e              17. A Nikon camera with the price\u003cbr/\u003e              18. Various Canon cameras with the price\u003cbr/\u003e              19. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Rafael Hernández, political scientist and director of  Temas magazine: \u003cbr/\u003e              ''Most of the residents of Old Havana do not buy in any of the numerous hotels that are around the central park, nor in the area of Old Havana around the avenue of the port, the residents of Old Havana buy in other shops, in state stores or buy from private merchants.''\u003cbr/\u003e              20. Wide of ''Freixas'' shop\u003cbr/\u003e              21. Interior of ''Freixas'' Collections shop\u003cbr/\u003e              22. Wide of clothes in the store\u003cbr/\u003e              23. Prices of the clothes\u003cbr/\u003e              24. Various of customers at the shop\u003cbr/\u003e              25. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Mario Freixas, fashion designer:\u003cbr/\u003e              ''I think there must be prices for everything, but the trend should be average prices because even the national customer or tourist always looks for an economy option, with the exceptions of certain customers that are looking for more exquisite things.''\u003cbr/\u003e              26. Wide of the Gran Manzana hotel bar\u003cbr/\u003e              27. Various of the hotel interior \u003cbr/\u003e              28. Pan right of the gym\u003cbr/\u003e              29. Various of a room\u003cbr/\u003e              30. Another room of the hotel\u003cbr/\u003e              31. Various of bathroom\u003cbr/\u003e              32. Wide of a bed in a room\u003cbr/\u003e              33. Another bathroom\u003cbr/\u003e              34. Wide of another of room\u003cbr/\u003e              35. Wide of the bathroom\u003cbr/\u003e              36. A view from the elevator of the hotel \u003cbr/\u003e              37. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Rafael Hernández, political scientist and director of  Temas magazine: \u003cbr/\u003e              \"They have the real Cuban society at the door of the hotel. We don't have to show the tourist an artificial society. I think that the greatest attraction of Cuba is the society, it is the Cubans, and that contact between Cubans and hotel guests who are going to walk down the street, as the other guests from other hotels do, it is both good for Cubans as well as for visitors\"\u003cbr/\u003e              38. Wide of the rooftop bar with the Capitol in the background\u003cbr/\u003e              39. The pool with the city on the background\u003cbr/\u003e              40. Wide of a city view from the hotel \u003cbr/\u003e              \u003cbr/\u003e              Havana, Cuba  - June 10, 2017\u003cbr/\u003e              41. Wide of the hotel rooftop with the pool \u003cbr/\u003e              \u003cbr/\u003e              Havana, Cuba -  June 15, 2017\u003cbr/\u003e              42. Wide of the pool with the Capitol and the city on the background\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='action-container flex justify-between'\u003e\n\u003cbutton aria-expanded='false' aria-label='Read more description' class='rp-full-description' type='button'\u003e\n\u003ci class='fai fa-solid fa-align-left'\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\n\u003cspan id='read_more'\u003eRead More\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003c/button\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-report'\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv aria-labelledby='resource-details-heading' class='rp-info-section'\u003e\n\u003ch2 class='title' id='resource-details-heading'\u003eResource Details\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-resource-details clearfix'\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='detail'\u003e\n\u003cdl\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eCurator Rating\u003c/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003e\u003cspan class=\"star-rating\" aria-label=\"3.5 out of 5 stars\" role=\"img\"\u003e\u003ci class=\"fa-solid fa-star text-action\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003ci class=\"fa-solid fa-star text-action\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003ci class=\"fa-solid fa-star text-action\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003ci class=\"fa-solid fa-star-half-stroke text-action\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003ci class=\"fa-regular fa-star text-action\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/dd\u003e\n\u003c/dl\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='detail'\u003e\n\u003cdl\u003e\n\u003cdt class=\"educator-rating-title\"\u003eEducator Rating\u003c/dt\u003e\u003cdd\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"educator-rating-details\" data-path=\"/educator_ratings/rrp_data?resourceable_id=950156\u0026amp;resourceable_type=Boclips%3A%3AVideoMetadata\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"not-yet-rated\"\u003eNot yet Rated\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/dd\u003e\n\u003c/dl\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='detail'\u003e\n\u003cdl\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eGrade\u003c/dt\u003e\u003cdd title=\"Grade\"\u003eHigher Ed\u003c/dd\u003e\n\u003c/dl\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='detail'\u003e\n\u003cdl\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eSubjects\u003c/dt\u003e\u003cdd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"/search?grade_ids%5B%5D=259\u0026amp;search_tab_id=1\u0026amp;subject_ids%5B%5D=1216220\"\u003eAll Subjects\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/dd\u003e\n\u003c/dl\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='detail'\u003e\n\u003cdl\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eMedia Type\u003c/dt\u003e\u003cdd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"/search?grade_ids%5B%5D=259\u0026amp;search_tab_id=2\u0026amp;type_ids%5B%5D=4543650\"\u003eNews Clips\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/dd\u003e\n\u003c/dl\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='detail'\u003e\n\u003cdl\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eSource:\u003c/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003e\u003c/dd\u003e\n\u003c/dl\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='detail'\u003e\n\u003cdl\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eDate\u003c/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003e2017\u003c/dd\u003e\n\u003c/dl\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='detail'\u003e\n\u003cdl\u003e\n\u003ci aria-hidden='true' class='fai fa-solid fa-language'\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\n\n\u003c/dl\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='detail'\u003e\n\u003cdl\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eAudiences\u003c/dt\u003e\u003cdd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"/search?audience_ids%5B%5D=371079\u0026amp;grade_ids%5B%5D=259\u0026amp;search_tab_id=1\"\u003eFor Teacher Use\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/dd\u003e\u003cdd class=\"text-muted\"\u003e\u003ci class=\"fa-solid fa-lock mr5\"\u003e\u003c/i\u003e2 more...\u003c/dd\u003e\n\u003c/dl\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='detail'\u003e\n\u003cdl\u003e\n\n\u003c/dl\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv aria-labelledby='concepts-heading' class='rp-info-section'\u003e\n\u003ch2 class='title' id='concepts-heading'\u003eConcepts\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='clearfix'\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='details-list concepts' data-identifier='Boclips::VideoDecorator' data-type='concepts'\u003elove, economy, business, media, capitalism, news media, pressure, shopping, cuba\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='concepts-toggle-buttons' data-identifier='Boclips::VideoDecorator'\u003e\n\u003cbutton aria-expanded='false' class='more btn-link' type='button'\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eShow More\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003ci aria-hidden='true' class='fa-solid fa-caret-down ml5'\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\n\u003c/button\u003e\n\u003cbutton aria-expanded='true' class='less btn-link' style='display: none;' type='button'\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eShow Less\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003ci aria-hidden='true' class='fa-solid fa-caret-up ml5'\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\n\u003c/button\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv aria-labelledby='additional-tags-heading' class='rp-info-section'\u003e\n\u003ch2 class='title' id='additional-tags-heading'\u003eAdditional Tags\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='clearfix'\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='details-list keyterms' data-identifier='Boclips::VideoDecorator' data-type='keyterms'\u003escience, news magazines, magazines and journals, travel, government pay, aerospace and defense industry, press, caribbean, hotel operators, havana, raul castro, hotels and resorts, mario barrett, latin america and caribbean, accommodations, enter, lifestyle, consumer services, government and politics, consumer products and services, hospitality and leisure industry, industrial products and services, shopping malls, contact, government business and finance, scientific publishing\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='keyterms-toggle-buttons' data-identifier='Boclips::VideoDecorator'\u003e\n\u003cbutton aria-expanded='false' class='more btn-link' type='button'\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eShow More\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003ci aria-hidden='true' class='fa-solid fa-caret-down ml5'\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\n\u003c/button\u003e\n\u003cbutton aria-expanded='true' class='less btn-link' style='display: none;' type='button'\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eShow Less\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003ci aria-hidden='true' class='fa-solid fa-caret-up ml5'\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\n\u003c/button\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv aria-labelledby='educator-ratings-heading' class='rp-info-section'\u003e\n\u003ch2 class='title sr-only' id='educator-ratings-heading'\u003eEducator Ratings\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"educator-ratings-root\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"all-educator-ratings-root\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"educator-rating-form-root\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='rp-resource'\u003e\n\u003cdiv aria-label='Show resource details' class='rp-show-info' role='button' tabindex='0'\u003e\n\u003ci class='fai fa-solid fa-align-left'\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\nShow resource details\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv aria-label='Video player' class='player' id='player-wrapper' role='region'\u003e\n\u003cdiv class='relative container mx-auto' id='lp-boclips-visitor-thumbnail'\u003e\n\u003ca class=\"block\" data-html=\"true\" data-placement=\"bottom\" data-trigger=\"click\" data-content=\"\u003cdiv class=\u0026quot;text-center py-2\u0026quot;\u003e\u003ca class=\u0026quot;bold\u0026quot; href=\u0026quot;/auth/users/sign_in\u0026quot;\u003eSign in\u003c/a\u003e or \u003ca class=\u0026quot;bold text-danger\u0026quot; data-posthog-event=\u0026quot;Signup: LP Signup Activity\u0026quot; data-posthog-location=\u0026quot;body_link_boclips\u0026quot; data-remote=\u0026quot;true\u0026quot; href=\u0026quot;/subscription/new\u0026quot;\u003eJoin Now\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\" data-title=\"Get Full Access\" data-container=\"body\" rel=\"popover\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Play video: Capitalism comes to Cuba with luxury hotel\" href=\"/subscription/new\"\u003e\u003cimg class=\"resource-img img-thumbnail img-responsive z-10 lp-boclips-thumbnail w-full h-full lozad\" alt=\"Capitalism comes to Cuba with luxury hotel\" title=\"Capitalism comes to Cuba with luxury hotel\" onError=\"handleImageNotLoadedError(this)\" data-default-image=\"https://static.lp.lexp.cloud/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/missing.png\" data-src=\"https://static.lp.lexp.cloud/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/missing.png\" width=\"315\" height=\"220\" src=\"data:image/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs\" /\u003e\n\u003cspan aria-hidden='true' class='flex justify-center items-center bg-white rounded-full w-16 h-16 absolute top-1/2 left-1/2 -mt-8 -ml-8 cursor-pointer z-0 border-2 border-primary drop-shadow-md lp-boclips-thumbnail-playBtn'\u003e\n\u003ci class='fa-solid fa-play text-primary text-3xl ml-1 drop-shadow-xl'\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\n\u003c/span\u003e\n\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n"}