Environmental certification is part of the DNA of the Cuban hotel industry and of Varadero
Does the possible departure of international tour operators have any impact on Varadero’s environmental management?
Posted by Sol de Cuba, 15/09/2026
PIE: Varadero. Photo: Naturaleza Secreta
The provincial Delegate of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment (CITMA) in Matanzas, MsC. Oscar Luis García Méndez, assured that Varadero will maintain its environmental management and ecological certifications despite “the potential departure of international tour operators.” This statement addresses concerns raised about the impact that the departure of these companies could have on environmental standards at hotels in Cuba’s premier tourist destination.
García Méndez emphasized that environmental certification is part of the DNA of the Cuban hotel industry and does not depend on any foreign chain. He explained that the environmental management system in Varadero follows a state policy promoted by CITMA and that hotels have adopted best practices, including continuous monitoring of water quality, waste separation, the use of native plant species in landscaping, and the reduction of energy consumption.
These statements were shared on his official social media accounts by Cuban Minister of Science, Technology, and the Environment, Armando Rodríguez Batista, who emphasized that this organizational culture is sustained through regular training and internal audits that ensure compliance with the ISO 14001 international standard and the requirements of the Sustainable Tourism Network.
He also supported the assertion that the management of beaches, green spaces, and waste is carried out using 100% domestic resources through the state-owned companies Gaviota and Gran Caribe, which play a fundamental role in this process.
García Méndez, on the other hand, explained that local crews are responsible for the manual and mechanical cleaning of the beaches without relying on imported machinery; they have their own nurseries that supply salt-tolerant plants with irrigation systems designed in Cuba, and they operate local collection centers for the separation and recycling of glass, cardboard, and organic matter.
He concluded his remarks by asserting that “If all foreign operators were to disappear tomorrow, the hotels would still be able to obtain certification,” thereby dispelling fears of a possible setback in Varadero’s environmental management.
