In spite of US sanctions on Communist Cuba, which have existed for about 40 years, foreigners -- among them many Bermudians -- are flocking to the Caribbean's largest island these days in search of investment opportunities.

They see the possibilities that exist in the Fidel Castro-led country, a country known equally for its cigars as attempts by its residents to flee for a better life in America.

But suddenly there is an influx of visitors arriving, too, looking to capitalise on the country's vast potential for economic growth.

Bermudians with vision, foresight and an eye for a good business opportunity are among them, like the group that will fly out on a charter organised by Victory Charters and Tours next month for the Havana International Trade Fair which puts together trade partners. There is a requirement that overseas business investors form a 50-50 partnership with a Cuban.

Bermuda businessman Donald Morris is one of those who wasn't afraid to take the plunge a few years ago. Since his first visit six years ago he has seen tremendous growth in the country's tourism.

"My first trip to Cuba was in July 1994 and from July 1994 up to today Cuba has built 27 hotels and has 30 flights a week from Europe,'' said Mr. Morris, of Bermuda Island Cruises. He says he visits the country about every six weeks to oversee his business interests.

"In '94 Cuba had 540,000 visitors and this year will do two million,'' Mr.

Morris pointed out.

He took the old Bermuda tender, Canima , to Cuba two years ago and has since had her remodelled. She now has three decks and four bars, is totally airconditioned on two decks with the top deck for a cabaret show. The second deck is a piano bar and the lower deck is a restaurant that seats 80 people.

"We took her ( Canima ) down there in December 1998 and it took us a year to redo her,'' he explained. "She's now called the Havana Princess .'' Mr. Morris has no doubts Cuba is a good investment. "Even without the embargo being lifted their tourism is going up while ours is going down,'' he states.

"I want to be there when it opens up.'' In October thousands from almost 70 countries will visit the country for the Trade Fair, scheduled from October 29 to November 5.

Victory Charters and Tours are taking a group there for eight action-packed days of cultural, medical, sporting and trade events. Golf is also included at Melia Varadero, Cuba's premier tourist resort.

Since it began, the Trade Fair has been growing in size. In the first year there were some 60 companies from just three countries occupying a total area of 800 square metres.

Last year there were some 2,189 firms from 60 countries participating in 24,656 square metres and attracting over 250,000 visitors.

"Cuba is already open to the rest of the world, except for the United States,'' said the spokesman for Victory Charters and Tours.

"It's been a destination that's been ignored for so long. A number of Bermudians have been all over the world but haven't been to the largest Caribbean Island.

"You'd been surprised at the number of older Bermudians who have been exposed to Cuba, before the embargo. The curiosity of Bermudians has really been piqued, especially because of all the exposure that Cuba has been getting on the networks, even the Travel Channel.

"People are really shocked to be told that the length of Cuba is from here to New York. I thought it was just a little bigger than Jamaica, but it is the largest Island by far.'' Cuba is 44,218 square miles, roughly 12.6 times the size of Puerto Rico and 266 times larger than Barbados.

Despite the strict travel restrictions from the United States for Americans, many still visit Cuba through other gateways like Canada, Cancun, Mexico, Bahamas and Jamaica. And to ease the fear of visitors, particularly Americans, the Cuban Government will not stamp your passport.

"People were concerned about their passports, but they don't stamp them and that should come through loud and clear,'' said the Victory Charters and Tours spokesman.

"Essentially no one will know that you took a trip.'' It is expected that the upcoming General Election in the US will have an effect on sanctions in Cuba.

"If (George W.) Bush gets in he's going to maintain the embargo, but if (Al) Gore gets in there is a possibility that the US will be at the Trade Fair next year,'' said the frequent visitor.

"Then the whole ball game changes. People are finding not only a culturally rich island but also a place to do business. That's the angle of this charter.

We got it to coincide with the Havana International Fair.

"They get about two million tourists now but when the embargo opens up they anticipate between seven to eight million a year. People are going to be pleasantly surprised at what Cuba has to offer.'' Bermudians seeking opportunities in Cuba Ronald Lightbourne, a freelance writer and musician, is soon to take his second trip to Cuba. The first, last December, as a judge for the Caribbean Song Contest, was sponsored by the Caribbean Broadcasters Union, left a favourable impression.

"I was extremely impressed with the level of organisation,'' said Mr.

Lightbourne who is planning a trip on the charter.

"I also got the chance to get into a couple of private homes, one of them the jazz great Chucho Valdes who came here for the Bermuda Festival in February.

It was a very nicely appointed in an upscale suburb of Havana.

"I also got to go into the house of a young street hustler. It was very poor and crowded housing conditions and because of the boycott a lot of the old elegant buildings are suffering from some decay and some of the roads are not paved.

"But, my overall impression is one of a people who are proud of their country, proud of their culture and they know what they've given to the world in terms of political support for progressive movements such as apartheid.'' Mr. Lightbourne saw potential for tremendous growth in the country of 12 million.

"The level of performance of the artists, especially the musicians, really astonished me,'' he stated.

"It's of such a high standard. I don't think there is a better cabaret anywhere in the world. But to me the biggest resource in Cuba are the people, they are open, warm and friendly.

"My impression of Cuba is that it is dynamic and forward looking, but it has its problems. However that political system has also delivered education and healthcare that is the envy of the rest of the Caribbean and much of the world.'' Another musician, well known jazz artist Wendell (Shine) Hayward, had his first visit in 1995 as a performer in the Caribbean Song Festival.

"At that time what I saw was the potential for a lot of business,'' said Mr.

Hayward.

"There were a lot of Canadians coming in at that time. The opportunities that exist there are as good as anywhere else. There is a lot of room for growth.

It's definitely something I think a lot of foreigners will be looking at, if they are not already.'' For further information on the Victory Charters and Tours charter flight, call 292-2014. The flight leaves on Saturday, October 28 and returns Sunday, November 5.

Man with a vision: Bermudian Donald Morris sees tremendous potential in Cuba and has already positioned himself for the economic boom. He converted the old Canima into the Havana Princess .

Time warp: A classic American car from the 1950s passes through Havana's Vedado neighbourhood. In the background is the neo-classical Hotel Nacional whose famous former guests include Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner and Winston Churchill. After years of isolation there is now an influx of visitors arriving in Cuba looking to capitalise on the country's vast potential for economic growth.