The influx of tourists to the island over the past week has not been spared from the consequences of a widespread blackout that struck Cuba since midday Friday. The government is gradually working to restore power, but significant challenges persist. "Naturally, we came here for a vacation, to enjoy and explore, but it was bad, really bad," expressed Roberto Jiménez from Mexico to AFP. He traveled to the island with his partner and friends. "We didn’t even go out; we just peered out and saw it was very dark," he said, describing their attempt to experience Havana's nightlife.
Jiménez, a first-time visitor to Cuba, lamented, "It's unfortunate because it affects tourism, and tourists decide not to return to Cuba." He added that upon returning to Mexico, his main story would be, "We spent our entire vacation without electricity." This sentiment is echoed by other tourists whose hopes for relaxation were dashed by the island's energy crisis.
Among those affected was Amaya García, a 54-year-old Spanish national, who arrived in Cuba the day of the national power grid failure. Traveling with her husband, she experienced several power outages at José Martí International Airport, which slowed down the immigration and customs process. Their itinerary included three days in Havana followed by four days in the popular resort town of Varadero. "We didn't have high expectations. We knew the country was struggling, but the blackout has been tough," she remarked.
Contrasting Experiences Amidst a Crisis
In stark contrast, 37-year-old Konstantin Makarov from Belarus had a different view. "Just arrived and there's a blackout," Makarov commented in his limited Spanish, as noted by AFP. Despite the situation, he embraced his passion for the sea, bringing his fishing rod and beginning an early morning fishing session at Havana's Malecón on Monday. "Life in Cuba is different, slower... people know how to enjoy life. We foreigners don't," he remarked, drawing parallels to Belarus 25 years ago, which is why he has visited Cuba eight times.
Despite efforts by the regime to attract international tourists through investments and global advertising campaigns, the reality on the ground paints a different picture that hasn't gone unnoticed by visitors. According to data from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), Cuba recorded 1,905,644 travelers from January to July 2024, falling short of the figures from the same period last year. Overall, the first seven months of this year saw 15,263 fewer arrivals to the island.
These statistics indicate that Cuba is struggling to capture tourists' interest, while neighboring destinations like Punta Cana and Cancun have surpassed it, emerging as more viable options for travelers.