When Cuba shines, U.S. State Department inundates media with anonymous dark news stories
Marcel Hatch, January 30, 2018
On September 29, 2017, two significant Cuba travel events took place:
1) The largest organization of US Cuba travel companies, RESPECT, held a historic meeting in Havana’s Hotel Meliá Cohiba. More than 70 members attended. One meeting objective was to promote awareness of Cuba’s stellar tourism safety record.
2) The same day the U.S. State Department issued a travel warning advising Americans not to visit Cuba because of threats of mysterious “sonic attacks.”
Four months later to the day, on January 29, 2018, two more key Cuba travel events happened.
1) A Cuba Media Day conference was held at Havana’s Meliá Cohiba. 14 press registered including AP, CBS News, CNN, Condé Nast Traveler, Miami Herald and Travel Weekly. Also present were representatives of the Cuban Ministry of Tourism, Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cuba law expert Lindsey Frank of the prestigious NYC RBSKL legal firm, U.S. Tour Operator Association CEO Terry Dale, American Airlines corporate communications senior manager Martha Pantin, and Group IST president Michael Goren. The event was chaired by InsightCuba’s president Tom Popper.
Conference experts detailed Cuba’s stunning record of safety for its record-breaking 4.7 million visitors including 620,000 Americans last year. Nearly 40 percent of Cuba travelers return, 29 percent of travelers come with their families, and 96 percent of travelers say they would recommend Cuba visits. In recognition, the island was awarded “Safest Country in the World,” in January 2018 by the International Tourism Fair held in Madrid.
2) In response, the U.S. State Department issued a global dark news release titled “19 U.S. citizens report symptoms suffered by diplomats in Cuba.” True to formula, no victims named, no medical tests conducted, no specific maladies reported, and U.S. officials quoted were all unnamed. The U.S. State Department actively encourages travelers to register discomforts experienced when visiting Cuba. Anonymously. Of course.
The State Department release was picked up by some 50 media outlets within 12 hours, burying the Cuba Media Day conference findings that Cuba is safer than ever and no sonic attacks took place. One Cuba Media Day report is available at http://www.caribbeannewsdigital.com/en/noticia/cuba-media-day-time-action
The difference between the two press events is Cuba Media Day presented solid facts, statistics and concrete evidence of safety on the island by experts with names, whereas the U.S. State Department press release relied entirely on undocumented claims. State Department dark news releases are based on a single message of fear and repetition of that message. Fear without facts. Such is the editorial policy of the Trump administration.
Marcel Hatch lives and works in Havana and helps Americans visit his favorite country.
Marcel Hatch, January 30, 2018
On September 29, 2017, two significant Cuba travel events took place:
1) The largest organization of US Cuba travel companies, RESPECT, held a historic meeting in Havana’s Hotel Meliá Cohiba. More than 70 members attended. One meeting objective was to promote awareness of Cuba’s stellar tourism safety record.
2) The same day the U.S. State Department issued a travel warning advising Americans not to visit Cuba because of threats of mysterious “sonic attacks.”
Four months later to the day, on January 29, 2018, two more key Cuba travel events happened.
1) A Cuba Media Day conference was held at Havana’s Meliá Cohiba. 14 press registered including AP, CBS News, CNN, Condé Nast Traveler, Miami Herald and Travel Weekly. Also present were representatives of the Cuban Ministry of Tourism, Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cuba law expert Lindsey Frank of the prestigious NYC RBSKL legal firm, U.S. Tour Operator Association CEO Terry Dale, American Airlines corporate communications senior manager Martha Pantin, and Group IST president Michael Goren. The event was chaired by InsightCuba’s president Tom Popper.
Conference experts detailed Cuba’s stunning record of safety for its record-breaking 4.7 million visitors including 620,000 Americans last year. Nearly 40 percent of Cuba travelers return, 29 percent of travelers come with their families, and 96 percent of travelers say they would recommend Cuba visits. In recognition, the island was awarded “Safest Country in the World,” in January 2018 by the International Tourism Fair held in Madrid.
2) In response, the U.S. State Department issued a global dark news release titled “19 U.S. citizens report symptoms suffered by diplomats in Cuba.” True to formula, no victims named, no medical tests conducted, no specific maladies reported, and U.S. officials quoted were all unnamed. The U.S. State Department actively encourages travelers to register discomforts experienced when visiting Cuba. Anonymously. Of course.
The State Department release was picked up by some 50 media outlets within 12 hours, burying the Cuba Media Day conference findings that Cuba is safer than ever and no sonic attacks took place. One Cuba Media Day report is available at http://www.caribbeannewsdigital.com/en/noticia/cuba-media-day-time-action
The difference between the two press events is Cuba Media Day presented solid facts, statistics and concrete evidence of safety on the island by experts with names, whereas the U.S. State Department press release relied entirely on undocumented claims. State Department dark news releases are based on a single message of fear and repetition of that message. Fear without facts. Such is the editorial policy of the Trump administration.
Marcel Hatch lives and works in Havana and helps Americans visit his favorite country.
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69 Bank Street Suite 102. NY, NY 10014-2184
phone: 212-414-8875 fax: 866-501-6873
mailto:philip@1worldarttravel.com