This Thursday, a flight from Katowice, Poland, touched down at Varadero's Juan Gualberto Gómez International Airport, signaling the return of Plus Ultra's operations to the Cuban resort. Organized by the tour operator Rainbow Tour, this journey marks the onset of the winter tourist season in Cuba, bringing in 280 passengers.
The majority of these Polish vacationers will enjoy all-inclusive stays at four or five-star hotels in Varadero, largely insulating them from the daily challenges faced by the Cuban population. According to Yadismir Saavedra, director of Cubanacán travel agency, Plus Ultra will maintain weekly flights to support the high season, which kicks off on November 22. Flights from Katowice to Varadero are scheduled to continue until March 2025.
Tourism Amidst Cuba's Economic Crisis
The arrival of these Polish tourists occurs against the backdrop of a severe energy and economic crisis impacting both locals and those visiting other Cuban cities. Frequent blackouts, shortages of essential goods, and crumbling infrastructure have resulted in a challenging environment for tourists expecting an exotic and relaxing destination, only to encounter significant hardships.
Recently, a Cuban expat vacationing in Santiago de Cuba took to social media to warn about extensive power outages and water shortages, highlighting the difficulties faced by visitors. Despite these issues, Cuban authorities remain focused on tourism, often at the expense of other critical sectors in urgent need of investment.
Earlier this year, from January to March 2024, Plus Ultra operated flights from Warsaw to Varadero in conjunction with Rainbow Tours S.A. Yamir Miyares, the airport operations coordinator in Varadero, anticipates an increase in visitor numbers during the peak season, averaging 77 weekly operations. These flights include connections from Canada, the United States, Germany, and Russia, in addition to Poland.
Foreign Investment and the Future of Cuban Tourism
Juan Carlos García Granda, Cuba's Minister of Tourism, has expressed interest from countries like Russia in investing in and managing Cuban hotels. The influx of international tourists under current conditions raises questions about the sustainability of Cuba's tourism model and the actual benefits of these investments on the Cuban people's quality of life.