An intense hurricane season, three major nationwide power outages, constant supply problems: Cuba has experienced a particularly difficult period in recent months.
But with its fine sandy beaches, its turquoise sea, the warm welcome of its people and, above all, the low prices of its all-inclusives, the destination continues to charm Quebecers.
So this winter, are we going all-inclusive to Cuba… or not? We sought advice from specialists in the travel world to get a better idea of the situation.
Recurring breakdowns
Last week, the island experienced its third general power outage in less than two months.
Geneviève Bergeron, of Voyages AZZA, in Lac-Beauport, suggests to her clients “to bring wireless batteries to recharge cell phones, for example.” As for Josée Tougas, of Voyages des Laurentides, in Mont-Laurier, she does not sell old hotels, but rather the newer ones since they have generators.
On the Transat side, Marie-Ève Vallières, senior advisor, public relations and content, specifies that the majority of hotels in their portfolio are equipped with their own generator. “Even hotels located on the cayos, like Cayo Coco and Cayo Santa Maria, are served by their own power plant and therefore are not affected in the event of an outage on the main island.” The Transat team says it remains in constant communication with its own teams on site. “We monitor daily operations very closely. We are therefore able to react quickly in the event of a recurring issue and adapt accordingly. »
Constant supply problems
Supply problems in Cuba are not new.
“Cuba is not a destination that I immediately suggest to my clients,” explains Ms. Bergeron, of Voyages AZZA. The supply of basic products and foodstuffs may be limited. You should expect to be able to run out of just about anything, at any time. It is always advisable to bring peanut butter, granola bars, basic medications in your luggage
Sourcing food is a little easier for some international chains. This is the case, among others, of Meliá hotels which opened their own import company on Cuban soil, MESOL, in order to maintain quality in the Spanish chain’s hotels.
On the Sunwing Vacations side, Victoria Bakos, director of public relations and communications, mentions that the company has “recently made improvements to refine the product offering for Cuba, in particular by collaborating with hotel partners to establish standards of clear service for the all-inclusives that we offer and by removing a small number of resorts that do not meet these standards.
A very popular destination
Beyond the quality of services, traveling to Cuba raises complex ethical questions, particularly with regard to resource management and the social inequalities that reign there.
The local population is increasingly struggling to access basic necessities due to the chronic shortage of consumer goods. In 2023, the food rationing system has even been intensified, leaving many Cubans without stable access to basic products, while hotels reserved for tourists have considerable provisions.
“What challenges us in our role as a tour operator,” explains Transat, “is that tourism remains a major economic vector for Cuba and the Cuban population. In this particular context, our operations are carried out in the most respectful and responsible manner possible. Because what we see on the ground is above all a great desire to do things well, both on our side as tour operators and on theirs as hoteliers.”
The tourism sector represents a significant part of the Cuban economy. The country welcomed 2.4 million visitors in 2023, including 940,000 from Canada, according to the Cuban Statistics Office.
Ms. Tougas, of Voyages des Laurentides, believes that despite the instability, Cuba is a destination worth visiting. “Guests are aware of the situation and love coming back for the warmth of the Cubans and the beautiful beaches.”
So Cuba, are we going there or not? Perhaps, but knowingly and well prepared!
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