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Canadian tourists, like those participating in an exercise class, play a crucial role in the Cuban tourism industry
As winter approaches in North America, Canadian “snowbirds” – residents who escape the cold for warmer climates annually – are preparing for their trips to Florida or the Caribbean.
Historically, Cuba has been a popular destination for Canadians, attracted by the pristine beaches of resorts like Varadero.
They help offset the absence of American tourists due to travel restrictions imposed under the ongoing US economic embargo on the largest Caribbean island.
Statistics indicate that nearly one million Canadian tourists visited Cuba last year, making it the top source of visitors by a significant margin.
Therefore, the recent decision by Canadian tour operator Sunwings Vacations Group – a key travel partner for Cuba – to remove 26 hotels from its Cuban portfolio is a setback for the struggling tourism industry on the island.
Sunwings made this choice after Cuba experienced a four-day nationwide blackout in late October, caused by issues with the country’s aging energy infrastructure.
This was followed by another power outage last month when Hurricane Rafael hit the island, exacerbating an existing electricity crisis.
A third nationwide blackout occurred on December 4th after Cuba’s largest power plant malfunctioned.
“Cuba has faced some instability in recent weeks which might affect consumer confidence,” said Samantha Taylor, Sunwings’ chief marketing officer, in an interview with Pax News last month.
“There are amazing destinations in Cuba,” she emphasized, noting that the company is not completely withdrawing from Cuba. “But if clients feel uneasy, we need to provide them with alternatives.”
This involved identifying “hidden gems” – alternative vacation spots in the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, and Colombia.
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Cuba has been affected by storms and rainfall during this year’s hurricane season
The implications for Cuba are evident.
With tourism now the island’s main economic driver and primary source of foreign currency income after remittances, the fact that a significant tour operator is redirecting its customers to other countries due to crumbling energy infrastructure is a serious concern.
“We want to reassure Canadians that tourism is a priority for the economy,” stated Lessner Gómez, director of the Cuban Tourism Board in Toronto. “The Ministry of Tourism has been preparing for the winter season to provide better services, consistent supplies, an improved airport experience, and more/new car rental options.”
While Cuba’s tourism agency tries to allay fears about the extent of power outages, it’s undeniable that these have been challenging months for the island. Hurricane Rafael was just the latest in a series of storms to hit Cuba during a busy Atlantic hurricane season where more intense and frequent storms are becoming the norm.
Severe weather is a concern across the Caribbean, but Cuba faces additional complications.
The potential re-election of Donald Trump and his selection of Marco Rubio as Secretary of State could further complicate life for Cubans.
Getty Images Primero, la Administración Trump revirtió las políticas de compromiso del presidente Obama, y luego la pandemia de Covid-19 envió a la industria al colapso.
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Marco Rubio, la elección de Trump para Secretario de Estado, es un crítico feroz del régimen cubano
Con muchos de esos hoteles registrando ahora tasas de ocupación mucho más bajas de lo originalmente previsto, y con dificultades reales para proporcionar la experiencia al cliente de cinco estrellas anunciada en medio de los apagones y escaseces, algunos cuestionan la estrategia de poner tantos huevos en la cesta del turismo en primer lugar.
“¿Por qué Cuba ha invertido un promedio del 38% [de los fondos gubernamentales] en hoteles e infraestructura conectada al turismo internacional en la última década, pero solo un 8 a 9% en infraestructura energética?” pregunta el economista Ricardo Torres de la American University en Washington DC. “No tiene sentido. Los hoteles funcionan con electricidad.”
Incluso con todos los desafíos actuales, la mayoría de los visitantes coinciden en que Cuba sigue siendo una experiencia de viaje única. Los clichés – coches clásicos, cigarros y mojitos – todavía atraen a muchos, mientras que otros prefieren viajar por la isla absorbiendo su historia, cultura y música.
Sin embargo, como muestra la decisión del operador turístico Sunwings de retirarse, algunos turistas están encontrando difícil apreciar Cuba durante su crisis energética, especialmente si está a punto de ser exacerbada por una administración hostil – y un Secretario de Estado – en Washington.