A Canadian family has made public the report of a sexual assault that their teenage daughter suffered while on vacation in Cuba.
The young girl was 16 years old at the time she was harassed by an employee of the hotel where she was staying. Greg Woolvett, a resident of Burlington, Ontario, reported that the incident occurred in March (2024), when the teenager was alone in an elevator at the resort.
In her testimony, she states that a hotel worker entered the elevator, tried to kiss her, and touched her inappropriately. She claims that the man attempted to lead her down a dark hallway, but the minor managed to free herself and return to the family room, visibly shaken.
" I was walking around the room, with tears in my eyes, and he said to me: ‘I think I was just assaulted,’" Mr. Woolvett told CTV News.
The family informed the hotel management and their tour operator, Sunwing, about the incident. However, Woolvett expressed his dissatisfaction with the response received.
The complainant claims that the hotel did not take any responsibility, and when they approached the Cuban police, they were informed that if they filed formal charges, they would have to stay in Cuba indefinitely. Faced with this situation, they chose to return to Canada.
The employee was removed from their position, and Sunwing offered to refund the portion related to the minor's travel. Woolvett requested a full refund for the vacation, arguing that the experience had deeply affected the family. "I just want all my money back," she expressed.
A spokesperson for Sunwing confirmed that the company was aware of the complaint and that its customer service team had contacted the hotel on behalf of the family.
"The health and safety of our clients is of utmost importance throughout their journey, and we sincerely regret the incident that occurred at the hotel property," the company stated. The case remains open, and for that reason, they declined to provide further details.
Woolvett decided to share her experience to warn other families. "If you travel to the Caribbean with young daughters, it's important to be especially vigilant," she concluded.
The government of Canada has been recommending to its citizens since last year to avoid traveling to Cuba, mainly due to food shortages, issues with medical services, and the energy crisis.
In November 2024, Sunwing Vacations Group made the decision to remove 26 Cuban hotels from its offerings and began promoting destinations in the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, Honduras, and Colombia. The company stated that its goal with this change was to ensure a more satisfying experience for tourists.
Other cases of dissatisfied Canadian tourists after traveling to Cuba
In recent months, several incidents have affected the experience of Canadian tourists in Cuba. In February 2025, Sylvie Beauchesne, 55 years old, suffered an accident in Holguín and spent 48 hours in a Cuban hospital under precarious conditions after fracturing her hip. Her family reported the lack of medical attention and delays in her repatriation to Quebec.
In October 2024, Jonathon Renko, another Canadian tourist, described how the frequent blackouts on the island disrupted his vacation and recommended postponing trips until the energy crisis is resolved. The lack of electricity affected not only the local population but also the tourism services.
In April 2024, the Revivo family had a negative experience at the Meliá Marina Varadero, finding the facilities in poor condition, with elevators out of service and dirt in the rooms. After changing hotels under unfavorable conditions, they only received minimal compensation from their travel agency.
Frequently asked questions about safety and tourist complaints in Cuba
What complaint did the Canadian family make about their daughter in Cuba?
The Canadian family reported that their teenage daughter was allegedly a victim of sexual assault by a hotel employee in Cuba. The worker attempted to kiss her and touch her inappropriately when the young girl was alone in an elevator.
How did the hotel and the Cuban authorities respond to the complaint?
The hotel separated the employee from his position, but did not take responsibility for the incident, according to the family. Cuban authorities informed the family that if they pressed formal charges, they would have to remain in Cuba for an indefinite period, which led the family to return to Canada without pursuing legal action.
What recommendations does Canada make for its citizens traveling to Cuba?
Since 2024, the Government of Canada recommends its citizens to exercise a high degree of caution when traveling to Cuba due to issues such as shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, as well as concerns about safety and medical care.
What other situations have tourists faced in Cuba recently?
In addition to the case of sexual assault, tourists in Cuba have faced issues such as theft of belongings, poor medical care, and challenges during blackouts. These incidents have raised concerns about the safety and well-being of visitors to the island.
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