Cuba has been in the headlines lately, unfortunately for many of the wrong reasons, due to the U.S. fuel blockade, and the shortages that it is creating. You may be considering a holiday in Cuba, or have one already booked but are wondering if it is safe to travel there. As the UK’s Cuba holiday specialists, we are here to give you the real boots on the ground update.
The reality of Cuban tourism amid the current energy crisis:
Recent headlines suggest a total collapse of Cuba’s tourism industry, including mass hotel closure, 24 hour blackouts, lack of food in hotels and the inability to provide hotel transfers and more, however the situation on the ground is very different to the misinformation that is being spread in the press at the moment.
While the fuel crisis, driven by the U.S. blockade on oil exports to Cuba has disrupted the lives of the local Cuban population, and prompted some flight cancellations from Canada, the infrastructure for tourism remains intact.
Infrastructure: Love Cuba carefully selects which hotels we offer to our clients, and as such there has been very little disruption for our clients still visiting Cuba. All of the major hotel chains, such as Melia, Iberostar, Blue Diamond and Gaviota, utilise their own generators and renewable energy sources when required. Hotels like the Melia Trinidad peninsula for example operate on 80% of solar energy. Major tourist zones like Varadero, operate independently of the national grid. Natural gas production at the Energas Varadero facility ensures consistent power to the main tourist areas. All of the hotels we feature are fully stocked, with some actually reporting to be over stocked with food at the moment due to the Canadians cancelling their flights. Our clients who are currently on holiday in Cuba report increased food choices, better service and more space on the beach.
Restaurants in major cities remain stocked and fully operational, again utilising their own generators and access to renewable energy sources, famous restaurants like La Guarida, and San Cristobel in Havana continue to operate as normal.
Tours and excursions in Cuba continue operating normally, tourist hot spots such as the Tropicana show are still open, with the Tropicana operating it’s normal schedule.
Aviation: Unlike the Canadian carriers, all of the European airlines, such as Air Europa, Iberia and Air France remain unaffected, some have introduced quick refuelling stops on the return legs in Mexico, the Dominican Republic or the Bahamas.
Safety: Cuba remains one of the safest countries in the world, despite the misinformation that is currently doing the rounds. Person on person crime is almost non-existent in Cuba, petty crime can happen on occasion as it can anywhere, but crime rates in Cuba are far lower than those in the UK and most western countries. There is no social unrest, as is sometimes reported. Street lighting can be an issue in certain areas, so it is advisable to use taxi services where possible, particularly due to the cobbled streets in cities like Havana and Trinidad. All of the hotels that we feature offer access to full medical services, and all hospitals are operating normally. The Cuban people are renowned the world over for being friendly, welcoming people, and they are keener than ever to share their culture, music and hospitality with visitors.
Current FCDO advice: The FCDO currently advises against all but essential travel to Cuba due to reports of fuel shortages, which means that your travel insurance could potentially be invalidated if travelling to Cuba. However companies like High Risk Voyager offer fully comprehensive holiday insurance to Cuba in spite of this advisory, at very reasonable prices.
Logistics: All of our ground transportation continues to operate normally, with all Airport to hotel and hotel to hotel transfers guaranteed, and we continue to offer a full local representative service.
Local experience vs Tourist experience: The local population can face blackouts and fuel plus other shortages at times. Tourists on the other hand generally receive the standard of service they expect and in some instances even more. Most tourists do not see that there is a fuel shortage in Cuba. Love Cuba only employs Cubans as our local representatives across the Island, ensuring an authentic and welcoming experience as well as giving back to the local economy.
It is safe to travel to Cuba now:
Cuba remains a safe and welcoming country, even as the local population are facing greater hardships due to the U.S. fuel blockade. The tourism sector however remains fully functional. Tourism is Cuba’s major source of income, providing vital support to the people of Cuba, without it life would become much harder for them. Feedback from our clients currently on holiday in Cuba, and from those who have just returned is overwhelmingly positive. In many ways now is the perfect time to visit Cuba, as this is a historic moment in Cuba’s history. With change on the horizon, now could be the last time to see the real Cuba before mass tourism from the U.S. changes it forever.
Love Cuba is the UK’s leading Cuba holiday specialist. Click here for more information on Cuba holidays, Multi Centre Cuba Holidays or Tailor Made Cuba Holidays, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team of Cuba holiday specialists on 0207 071 3636 or email: enquiries@lovecuba.com today.
