Cuba: Energy efficiency measures to guarantee tourism sustainability

A strategy to guarantee the sustainability of tourism while reducing energy consumption and taking advantage of the current high season has been launched by the Cuban government. The objective is to protect essential services in this sector following the oil blockade imposed by the United States.

Speaking on national television, Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga assured the public that an energy efficiency plan and facility consolidation initiative will be implemented in the tourism sector to maintain revenues and overcome the current situation.

At an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers to evaluate immediate actions, other measures were announced, encompassing various sectors of the country.

Cuba’s hotel infrastructure is energy self-sufficient

Mayte Suárez Rueda, director of the Cuban Tourist Board in the UK, explained in a statement dated February 5 that Cuba’s hotel infrastructure is energy self-sufficient, which reduces the risk of potential power outages.

Similarly, many rental properties and other private tourism-related businesses have taken measures to lessen the impact of power cuts.

The supply of food and other resources for the season is guaranteed, following the approval of new importing companies and innovative marketing plans with wholesalers and small and medium-sized enterprises in the private sector, she added.

Travel agents address the situation in Cuba

The Roadrunners Travel, a full-service travel agency capable of sending clients to any destination worldwide, reassured those who have inquired about the island, while also warning that “there is a lot of misinformation circulating online right now, and it’s creating unnecessary panic.”

Based on real-time updates from suppliers, tour operators, and their clients, the agency detailed yesterday that flights to Cuba are operating as scheduled; the resorts they currently market have food, beverages and electricity; transfers are functioning normally; there are no supplier advisories indicating that Cuba is unsafe for travel; and reports of flight cancellations due to “lack of fuel” in Cuba are false.

The agency added that travel advisors receive operational updates directly from suppliers and destination partners, making this information much more accurate and up-to-date than speculation on social media.

It also noted that “A significant number of negative comments come from people who have never been to Cuba, people who were unlikely to ever vacation there regardless, and people who know nothing about Cuba beyond what they’ve read on Facebook lately.”

“For every alarmist post or complaint online, there are hundreds of guests who have an excellent vacation and never post about it,” the statement added.