Red tape in Cuba: A struggle to change hotels in Havana

By Nick Caistor

Cuba has declared war on inefficiency. The state is preparing lay off half a million people, and novelties such as income tax are on the way in. But inefficiency has put down deep roots. I made the mistake in Havana recently of trying to change hotels. The first young woman I asked about this was very charming. She telephoned her main office, was told the person responsible was at lunch, and said I should come back in an hour...[continued]