The Spanish hotel multinational Barceló denied that there is a shortage of food in Cuba and, to demonstrate this, published images of its culinary offerings in the restaurant at the Solymar resort in Varadero.
“Shortage in Cuba? Not at this moment,” said an anonymous participant in the Facebook group Barceló Solymar - Occidental Arenas Blancas, created by Alejandro Florat, community manager of Grupo Barceló on the island.
Its publication, denying what constitutes evidence recognized even by the Cuban regime itself and by international organizations such as the UN, shared photographs of the well-stocked culinary offerings at its hotel in Varadero.
Judging by the images, the buffet table at the Solymar - Occidental Arenas Blancas resort was set up to welcome a group of guests from Canada, as the dishes and the venue were decorated with flags from that country.
At the end of June, a Canadian tourist who spent two weeks at the resort described his stay as "the worst experience of his life."
Joe Eastcott, a resident of the Canadian city of Surrey, shared his experience in the mentioned Facebook group and posted photos that demonstrated the high level of deterioration of the facilities and the poor quality of the food.
Their complaints joined those of hundreds of tourists from that nationality who, in recent years, have expressed their disappointment with the hotel facilities in Cuba, even making headlines in international media.
Among the main complaints from Canadian tourists traveling to Cuba are those related to the scarcity and poor quality of food offered at hotels. Canada, the largest source of tourists to the island, has seen a significant decline in travelers and agencies interested in Cuba as a vacation destination in recent years.
Recently, Samantha Taylor, the marketing director of Sunwing Vacations Group, a prominent Canadian travel agency, stated that they had decided to remove 26 Cuban hotels from their offerings due to quality issues identified in customer feedback.
Instead of Cuba, the Canadian travel agency decided to promote alternative destinations in the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, Honduras, and Colombia, aiming to ensure a more satisfying experience for tourists.
"What is a five-star hotel like in Cuba? What about a three-star hotel? From the feedback we receive from our customers, it's clear that Canadians appreciate a level of transparency regarding what they are getting. They do not want surprises," Taylor explained.
He also acknowledged that the energy crisis the country is experiencing has affected the opinions of its customers, many of whom have been caught off guard by blackouts, even in the hotels where they are staying.
Taylor acknowledged that these events can impact consumer confidence. "Cuba has experienced some volatility in recent weeks, and that may affect consumer trust," he stated.
In February 2011, Barceló Hotels & Resorts decided to merge two of its properties to create the Barceló Arenas Blancas-Solymar hotel complex, featuring 883 rooms operated under an all-inclusive system.
In June 2019, the Barceló Group was included in a class-action lawsuit by Cuban-American families who, under the Helms-Burton Act, sought compensation in U.S. courts from hotel companies based in Spain, France, and Canada.
Among the litigated cases, the one involving the heir Diego Trinidad stood out, as he claimed compensation from the Spanish group for the Barceló Solymar Hotel in Varadero, which was built on the property of Diego Cosme Trinidad Valdés, owner of the land and the tobacco company Trinidad y Hermanos.
Dedicated to the tourism sector since its founding in 1931, the Barceló Group currently has a hotel division and a travel division, making it one of the most important companies in the sector worldwide. Its main activities focus on Europe, America, and North Africa, and it operates 300 hotels in 28 countries and 1,643 travel agencies across three continents.
However, Barceló's presence in Cuba has diminished over the years. In 2010, the group managed six facilities—Barceló Arenas Blancas, Barceló Solymar (merged in 2011 into the Solymar - Arenas Blancas resort), Barceló Marina Palace, Barceló Cayo Libertad, Barceló Cayo Santa María, and Barceló Habana Ciudad—but today it only retains the Varadero resort.
This Wednesday, the management of Barceló's only resort in Cuba dared to deny the painful reality of a severe food shortage on the Island, posting images of delicacies on their social media that the people of Cuba are not even aware exist.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Food and Hospitality Situation in Cuba
Is it true that there is a food shortage in Cuba?
Despite Grupo Barceló's claims that there is no food shortage, there is compelling evidence to the contrary. International organizations and testimonials from tourists have reported a lack of basic products. Furthermore, the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights states that 89% of Cuban families live in extreme poverty, exacerbating the food situation on the island.
What are the conditions like in the hotels in Varadero?
The conditions in Varadero's hotels have faced numerous criticisms. Tourists have reported deterioration in the facilities and poor food quality. Some have even described their stay as the worst experience of their lives, which has led to a decrease in interest from international travel agencies.
What has the Cuban government done in response to the food crisis?
The Cuban government has been criticized for its focus on tourism and culinary events, such as the Varadero Gourmet Festival, instead of addressing the food crisis. These events stand in stark contrast to the reality of scarcity faced by the Cuban population.
How is the situation affecting the tourism industry in Cuba?
The food and energy crisis has negatively impacted Cuba's tourism industry. The decline in the quality of hotel services and the poor experiences of tourists have led travel agencies to remove Cuban hotels from their catalogs. This has resulted in a decrease in tourists, especially from Canada, which is one of the main markets for tourism on the island.
What alternatives are travel agencies seeking in light of the situation in Cuba?
Travel agencies have begun promoting other destinations instead of Cuba due to complaints about the quality of the tourist experience on the island. Destinations such as the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, Honduras, and Colombia are being considered as more reliable and satisfying alternatives for tourists.
Filed under: