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Russian media report that thousands of tourists from that country are being evicted from luxury hotels due to the severe energy crisis affecting the island.
The cancellation of excursions and the temporary closure of iconic resorts is causing growing concern in the tourism sector regarding the implications of this situation on Cuba's reputation as an international destination.
The alert was initially released by the Russian channel Telegram SHOT and replicated by agencies like TourProm.
According to these sources, “Russian tourists are being evicted from luxury hotels in Cuba and excursions are being canceled,” a situation that has raised concerns among travelers and tour operators.
The hardest blow has fallen on Cayo Coco, an island known for its white sandy beaches and exclusive hotel chains.
"Seven hotels have already temporarily closed", reported SHOT, in a list that includes the Grand Muthu Imperial Hotel, Iberostar Origin Playa Pilar, Gran Caribe Camino del Mar, Tryp Cayo Coco Hotel, Mojito Hotel, Iberostar Daiquiri Hotel, and Sol Guillermo Hotel.
The affected tourists have been "urgently relocated" to lower-category accommodations or other areas of the island.
This change implies not only a difference in the level of comfort but also a substantial alteration in the conditions originally agreed upon for the vacation.
The root of the problem, Russian sources emphasize, lies in the "serious shortage of diesel and gasoline" that has been affecting Cuba for months.
The situation has partially paralyzed transportation, limited the use of electric generators in hotels, and forced the suspension of essential services at tourist facilities.
TourProm warns that “without a guaranteed fuel supply for electrical systems and service vehicles, hotels cannot provide the promised level of service”.
This has led the management of many hotels to “temporarily suspend guest admissions to protect the brand and maintain basic safety standards.”
Cancelled excursions and ruined vacations
The lack of fuel has also led to the suspension of tourist excursions. "In addition, long-distance excursions are being canceled due to the fuel shortage," noted media outlets such as TourProm.
Popular routes such as visits to Trinidad, Cienfuegos, or even Havana have been impacted, drastically limiting recreational options for visitors.
Travelers have had to settle for local activities or, in some cases, completely alter their plans.
"This situation significantly affects their vacations, especially for those who chose a specific resort for its infrastructure, beach, or culinary quality," emphasize Russian media.
Diplomatic communications and official Russian response
In light of the growing discontent, the Russian Embassy in Havana confirmed the situation through a statement.
"Russian tourists in Cuba are being relocated to other hotels due to low occupancy and issues with the electricity supply," reported the diplomatic mission, which stated it is in constant contact with tour operators and Cuban authorities.
For its part, the Russian Union of the Tourism Industry (RST) noted that some hotels in Varadero and Cayo Coco "will close until the fall due to low occupancy."
In these cases, travelers would be moved "to hotels of similar or higher category," although testimonials on social media suggest that in many instances, the relocations have been to lower-quality facilities.
Impact on the image of Cuba as a destination
Currently, it is estimated that there are between 3,500 and 4,000 Russian citizens in Cuba. The situation poses a significant reputational challenge for the Cuban tourism sector, which has historically relied on markets such as the Russian, Canadian, or European.
Experienced tourists and Russian agencies agree that, when traveling to Cuba, "it is advisable to consider the unpredictability."
Some recommend opting for major international hotel chains, which tend to have greater capacity to mitigate the effects of local crises, or choosing resorts near large cities, where access to infrastructure and transportation is more reliable.
Recommendations and possible compensations
Tourism industry experts recommend that those affected contact their tour operators or local representatives immediately.
These agencies are responsible for negotiating relocations or compensations in the event that the contracted conditions change substantially.
Meanwhile, many agencies are updating their catalogs and "temporarily removing problematic hotels from sale."
It is also recommended for those planning a trip to Cuba, particularly to Cayo Coco, to check in advance on the current status of hotels and air transportation, as "the situation is dynamic" and may change in the coming weeks.
The Russian press emphasizes that this is not an isolated incident. "The current events are not unusual for the Cuban tourism sector," they state.
The periodic crises of fuel, electricity, and food have repeatedly impacted the quality of holidays on the Island, creating uncertainty among operators and visitors.
Cuba, historically one of the favorite destinations for Russian tourists due to its warm climate, visa-free policy, and all-inclusive resort offerings, is facing a severe blow to its tourist image.
The unpredictability of the energy situation, combined with the decline in hotel occupancy, jeopardizes the sustainability of a sector vital to the Cuban economy.
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