A flight from Katowice, Poland, landed at the Juan Gualberto Gómez International Airport in Varadero this Thursday, marking the resumption of operations by Plus Ultra airline to the Cuban resort.
The tour operator Rainbow Tour managed the trip to Cuba for 280 passengers, marking the start of the arrival of tourists to the island during the winter season.
Most of these Polish tourists will be staying in all-inclusive accommodations at a 4 or 5-star hotel in Varadero, so they will not encounter the reality of Cuba.
The director of the travel agency Cubanacán, Yadismir Saavedra, noted that Plus Ultra flights will continue weekly to enhance the high season, scheduled to begin on November 22. Flights from Katowice to Varadero are planned until March 2025.
The arrival of Polish travelers occurs against the backdrop of a profound energy and economic crisis that affects not only Cubans but also visitors who choose to travel to other cities in the country.
Power outages, shortages of basic supplies, and the deterioration of infrastructure have created a challenging experience for tourists who anticipate an exotic and enjoyable destination, only to encounter a landscape of hardship.
A few weeks ago, a Cuban living abroad, who was on vacation in Santiago de Cuba, raised awareness on social media about the prolonged power outages and water shortages.
Cuban authorities continue to prioritize tourism, to the detriment of other economic sectors that urgently need investment in the country.
Between January and March 2024, Plus Ultra operated flights from Warsaw to Varadero, in Matanzas. These were also trips in collaboration with Rainbow Tours S.A.
The operations coordinator at Varadero Airport, Yamir Miyares, stated that an increase in the flow of visitors is expected during the peak season, with an average of 77 weekly operations. These include flights from Canada, the United States, Germany, Russia, and Poland.
The Cuban Minister of Tourism, Juan Carlos García Granda, announced the interest of countries such as Russia in investing in and managing hotels in Cuba.
The arrival of international tourists under the current conditions in the country raises questions about the sustainability of the Cuban tourism model and the real impact of these investments on the quality of life of the population.
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