Hotels Under Strain, Transfers Disrupted, and Soaring Operating Expenses in Cuba- Photo Credit Unsplash
The region’s efforts to restore tourism post-pandemic are being hampered by continual fuel shortages, which are forcing Caribbean hotels and tour operators to concentrate on generators, combine excursions, and adjust logistics. The front line is transportation. State bus services have been reduced because gasoline and diesel are limited, airport transfers are more complicated, and hire car users often struggle to refuel or have to wait for hours. Tour operators claim that some excursions are being condensed or shortened, especially outside of major hotel hubs, and that airlines have occasionally planned specialized stops to refuel outside of Cuba when jet fuel is scarce at some airports. Professionals are spending more to maintain properties running, especially in hotels. Some people rely on generators to power their kitchen tools, water pumps, and rolling blackouts, which burn fuel. As suppliers deal with the same energy constraints, which also cause list adjustments and tighter supply control, deliveries of meals, beverages, and linens become less predictable. Big resort complexes in Varadero and the northern cays have frequently performed better thanks to government selection of important tourist destinations, while area properties in Havana and Santiago de Cuba review the most numerous disruptions. Cuba’s power minister Vicente de la O Levy acknowledged the shortage next season, saying on state television that” the gas that had been contracted did not arrive” and that shortages would linger as the government looked for other shipments. Officials have since stated that they are using restricted energy and power to support necessary services and safeguard the most important time of year for foreign exchange, which is a crucial resource of foreign currency. Hotels and tour operators claim that the energy shortage is a major wind to the recovery, despite increasing need from Canada, Europe, and regional markets. – Higher running costs from engine use and energy procurement, pressuring margins at state-run chains and foreign-managed properties, according to industry participants. Reduced travel times, interprovincial payments, and provide runs, especially to more remote locations, or rerouting of them. Longer airport transfers and sporadic plan modifications when traveling by air. Problems with guest experience problems are encountered during outages, ranging from sluggish air conditioning and elevators to prolonged housekeeping and food and beverage service. Staffing issues as employees endure long workdays and reduced public transportation spending. Resorts with a major presence in Cuba, such as Spain’s Meliá Hotels International and Iberostar, and Canada’s Blue Diamond Resorts, have stressed stability while recognizing the difficulty of the working atmosphere. In recent investor communications, Meliá’s command stated that” Cuba remains a strategic location for us,” noting a gradual recuperation from the pandemic along with economic constraints that include power availability. Companies have developed more comprehensive contingency plans, ranging from purchasing more producers and maintenance to staggering energy-intensive duties and limiting guests ‘ energy usage in smaller buildings during low-occupancy periods to conserve energy. Tourism officials insist that the industry may be protected as much as possible. Cuba’s tourism minister Juan Carlos Garca Granda has repeatedly praised efforts to maintain service at the main” holiday poles” during the high season despite ongoing nationwide rationing. Go operators and foreign embassies ‘ practical advice has been to allow extra time for overland travel, be flexible with timetables, and confirm energy supply when renting automobiles. The near-term calculation for resort owners and managers is centered on resilience—keeping primary services reliable, communicating openly with clients and partners, and strictly managing costs —until fuel flows maintain. According to executives, sustained treatment will depend on steady power supplies and more extensive economic reforms that reduce the imports of parts, meals, and gas.
