An extended period of economic crisis (Periodo Especial)?? started in Cuba in 1989, primarily due to the dissolution of the Soviet Union and, by extension, the Comecon. The economic depression of the Special Period was at its most severe in the early to mid-1990s before slightly declining in severity towards the end of the decade.
In 1997,?? the Cuban government allowed Cubans to rent out rooms in their houses or apartments to tourists even though this was being already done illegally since the early 90’s. This measure allowed Cuban families to legally have new sources of revenue during really bad economic times.
As hotels and villas were owned by the government, the term ???casa particular??? was meant to make emphasis that this kind of paid accommodation was privately operated by individual Cubans. Casas Particulares are basically Bed & Breakfasts but?? breakfast is not always offered and it usually comes at an extra price.
The 1990’s
During the Special Period, Cubans tried to open their homes and rent out rooms to foreign friends and friends of friends. The current laws allowed citizens to host foreigners as “family friends” but provided there was no monetary compensation.
The way to get customers was mainly by word of mouth, as it was not legal to promote these casas for fear of confiscation by the government or hefty fines.
1997
When the government finally allowed the private vacation rentals, everybody kind of rushed to get their licenses at the Ministry of Housing offices. But there was the problem of getting customers …
Some tourist friends volunteered to set up pages in free hosting for casa owners like Duany’s Casa Blanca or la Super Abuela
In the following years, some casas owners got together into casa organizations and set up their own websites and there were some booking agents setting up sites to manage reservations and charge a small commission to the owners (i.e. cubaparticular.com, casaparticular.org)
Hafiz: Don't know your price range but assume you're tnlaikg about…
October 10, 2002
History of Casas Particulares 0
by Carlos Rodriguez • Casas Particulares, Travelers
An extended period of economic crisis (Periodo Especial)?? started in Cuba in 1989, primarily due to the dissolution of the Soviet Union and, by extension, the Comecon. The economic depression of the Special Period was at its most severe in the early to mid-1990s before slightly declining in severity towards the end of the decade.
In 1997,?? the Cuban government allowed Cubans to rent out rooms in their houses or apartments to tourists even though this was being already done illegally since the early 90’s. This measure allowed Cuban families to legally have new sources of revenue during really bad economic times.
As hotels and villas were owned by the government, the term ???casa particular??? was meant to make emphasis that this kind of paid accommodation was privately operated by individual Cubans. Casas Particulares are basically Bed & Breakfasts but?? breakfast is not always offered and it usually comes at an extra price.
The 1990’s
During the Special Period, Cubans tried to open their homes and rent out rooms to foreign friends and friends of friends. The current laws allowed citizens to host foreigners as “family friends” but provided there was no monetary compensation.
The way to get customers was mainly by word of mouth, as it was not legal to promote these casas for fear of confiscation by the government or hefty fines.
1997
When the government finally allowed the private vacation rentals, everybody kind of rushed to get their licenses at the Ministry of Housing offices. But there was the problem of getting customers …
Some tourist friends volunteered to set up pages in free hosting for casa owners like Duany’s Casa Blanca or la Super Abuela
In the following years, some casas owners got together into casa organizations and set up their own websites and there were some booking agents setting up sites to manage reservations and charge a small commission to the owners (i.e. cubaparticular.com, casaparticular.org)