Open Access

Niklas Völkening

• To moderate the crisis of the 1990s, the Cuban government promoted international tourism and private accommodation. The economically successful stimulation of tourism fostered the emergence of New Urban Tourism in Cuba, especially in tourism hot spots where Cubans often accommodate international tourists privately. Practices of New Urban Tourism are often lucrative for hosts, for whom tourism is among the most valuable income sources. However, New Urban Tourism in Cuba also entails conflicts and contestations. On the one hand, private hosts directly compete with state-run hotels, with power imbalances favouring the state. On the other hand, hosts and other providers of tourism services cause social discontent by earning incomes significantly above the national average. Additionally, New Urban Tourism has pervasive spatial effects regarding the utilisation of urban space. Based on qualitative interviews and mappings conducted in Havana and Trinidad, the consequences of New Urban TourismTo moderate the crisis of the 1990s, the Cuban government promoted international tourism and private accommodation. The economically successful stimulation of tourism fostered the emergence of New Urban Tourism in Cuba, especially in tourism hot spots where Cubans often accommodate international tourists privately. Practices of New Urban Tourism are often lucrative for hosts, for whom tourism is among the most valuable income sources. However, New Urban Tourism in Cuba also entails conflicts and contestations. On the one hand, private hosts directly compete with state-run hotels, with power imbalances favouring the state. On the other hand, hosts and other providers of tourism services cause social discontent by earning incomes significantly above the national average. Additionally, New Urban Tourism has pervasive spatial effects regarding the utilisation of urban space. Based on qualitative interviews and mappings conducted in Havana and Trinidad, the consequences of New Urban Tourism and of the concomitant ‘touristification’ of urban space in Cuba are addressed. Especially spatial changes and altered ways of utilising urban space are focused on against the backdrop of the interests and power relations of the actors engaged. Consequently, the effects of New Urban Tourism may be perceived as results of intended actions of specific actors instead of coincidental outcomes.…