The Russian authorities of the national payment card system of this country are currently discussing with specialists from the Central Bank of Cuba (BCC) about approving the issuance of magnetic cards from the Russian MIR system.
According to reports from the Russian agency TASS, the National Payment Card System is discussing with Cuba the possibility of issuing Mir cards through banks in this country. This was stated by the head of the NSPK, Vladimir Komlev, in a dialogue with Russian state media.
“We spoke with our Cuban colleagues and discussed the possibility of starting to issue Mir cards in Cuba. You have the RED SA payment system. The technology there is a little different. But we are also willing to share our standards, formats and systems with them in order to be able to issue chip cards,” explained Komlev.
He clarified that Cuba is not the only country with which cooperation exists, although it is a priority for Russia and the island. The Cuban government wants Russian tourism to become one of the most important in the Caribbean country.
“It's too early to say. We don't like to talk until it happens. Because unfortunately not much depends on you in international development,” Komlev added.
Russian MIR cards and Russian tourism in Cuba
Recently, a Russian tourist in Cuba described in her travel blog how she survived for 16 days in a 5-star all-inclusive hotel on the island. It all happened in the famous resort of Varadero in the west of the island.
The Russian travel blogger published a post recounting her bad experience at an Iberostar chain hotel in Varadero, Cuba, where she spent 16 days.
In her post, the woman gives Russian travelers several tips to “endure” in the hotel, saying the pressure to tip is too high. In her opinion, it was most convenient to give “dollars or gifts, but better dollars.”
The tourist was forceful: “Without tips, you’re nobody,” even if you spent thousands of dollars on a 5-star “all-inclusive” hotel. Treatment may or may not vary depending on how much money you distribute to employees.