Cuban tourism downturn: New hotels being built despite visitor numbers

Tourism has long been one of the drivers of Cuba's economy.
But the fallout from a steep drop in visitor numbers is forcing a growing number of people to leave the country.
Despite the downturn, the state-run tourism body is building more hotels -- while the homes of many ordinary people collapse.
Al Jazeera’s Latin America Editor Lucia Newman reports from Havana, Cuba.
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#Cuba #CubanEconomy #CubanTourism #Havana

[@PeterDrinnan]

Just got back from Cuba. Been going for 10 years and have never seen it so bad. Power goes out 10xa day, resorts are empty, tourists are harassed by children and elderly for money. Just brutal. I won't be going back unless things change for the better.

[@jaspalsingh2121]

Cuba is very good place for tourism. They have moderate climate throughout the year, clean beaches, safe, very friendly people for most part and a land which is vastly green and well preserved due to no over-development.

[@daniyalbbd5281]

What safe ? Cuba isn't safe bro P.S - I was there last year and it's not safe at all

[@user-of9qq6op5u]

@@daniyalbbd5281 Cuba ranks extremely well in violent crime. Your personal experience is called an anecdote, has nothing to do with statistics. Someone is getting mugged in Manhattan right now, and will sound like you when the next time they post, but they'll be talking about one of the safest places in your country.

[@krista1968]

The lack of everything and scams I hadn't experienced prior to our last trip ended it for me . Been travelling to other destinations the past 5 years . For 200.00 more you can stay at a real 4 star hotel with plenty of amenities and descent to well prepared buffet meals with the option of better dining available and no shortages in Dominican Republic . It used to cost us 325.00 all inclusive p/p for 1 week in Cuba and it was worth going then . Some of the prices for Cuban 4 or 5 star are the same as what we pay for a 4 star in Mexico or Jamaica without all the bells and whistles offered elsewhere in the Caribbean . Quit blaming the embargo , the Cuban government is to blame for the condition of their country .

[@josephlanteigne5917]

There are no 5-star hotels in Cuba

[@tonymontana-rl9yy]

The food there is atrocious and nothing to do apart from look at the decaying buildings. It's hard to get even basic necessities on a consistent basis. Even stuff like hot water. Plus everyone is constantly trying to con you especially the taxi drivers .I don't blame tourists for going elsewhere

[@tommywong3147]

Why doesnt cuba just declair a democracy and money flood in. Its gonna be really lucrative for the governemnt officials.

[@RevolutionairSocialistis-ux8tr]

Under state-capitalism the ruling caste of Stalinists can stay in power, while also promoting a market economy as the Chinese did. This will also mean the end of the Cuban Revolution, but as the son of Che Guevara already said: ''The revolution is death''. The market reforms of Raul Castro have already created a new layer of richer Cubans who enjoy privileges due to ownership. This is why Cuba does not need more capitalism, but a socialist revolution that can end the (state)capitalist politics of the Communist Party of Cuba.

[@eddydominguez1568]

Cuba is collapsing, the holding company GAESA, the Army holding company, is building new hotels despite of the decreasing numbers of foreign visitors and the flawness earnings per visitor. The more than 30 new luxury hotels that GAESA is building across the country, not only in Havana, contrast with the tiny investment in sectors as the public health system and agriculture for instance. We are facing a humanitarian crisis due to the lack of food and medical resources that hit very hard almost the whole population and the building of new luxury hotels is ongoing....

[@zrj26]

I was in Holguin last December and have to agree with you.

[@lilyoquendo3485]

The problem is called Castro communist party

[@syedalehasnaatshah]

Cuba needs to do more to attract tourism from non US and western countries.

[@aungmyintoo4635]

it is far from Asia where billions people live.

[@thijmenbaak718]

Youll need the peoples of these nations to earn better wages first in order for them to fly across the world to go on vacation to Cuba. China is doing it well, and i hope more Chinese tourists come to Cuba and bring money in/invest there. When i was there i saw a few Chinese tourists, i hope there will be much more when Chinese foreign tourism goes up again post-covid.

[@donbabilio8298]

Russian tourists will save Cuba . Russian factory workers earn $200 per month . See the huge potential of Russian workforce ?

[@brokenarrow5590]

From were Pakistan, Iraq and Syria? 😂

[@Richard-mt4zi]

​@@donbabilio8298If the Russian factory worker earns $200/month-the cost of airline tickets + hotel costs + daily restaurant costs might be difficult..Russians with higher incomes travel to Cuba might be more likely..

[@vlogplanet7031]

Cuban people are nice and kind but im feel pitty for them because everyone sacrifice, Suffering and struggle everyday to find foods. Starving people and no food to eat

[@vlogplanet7031]

I wish the government in cuba will look down cuban people. Please feed them they sacrifice everyday. But i can feel the government treat the tourist nicely unlike the people living in Cuba government treat them nothing very sad and its true💔

[@eleanorvogt6537]

Much appreciated

[@jeanniep8816]

Aww beautiful Cuba! One of the safest islands in the Caribbean where one can experience 5* hotel, local hotels & or even authorized family homes where you are treated with loving care. Each experience provided its unique experience I ❤️’d

[@christinepizzi6197]

Sounds like you are lying....

[@lilyoquendo3485]

Lies

[@jeanniep8816]

I think I need to clarify that my comment on my experiences in Cuba were based prior to Covid. I have not been since. Today, as some comments indicate, like the rest of the world, I have no doubt Cuba faces much economic hardships which has a significant impact in many areas of life.

[@danmarijanovic2099]

I bet Cuban citizens can't wait to move into their new hotels!

[@mamanpd5341]

You are lose

[@pakpala1]

One day in the near future, when the evil American Empire is over, your grand children will read this comment on KZbin…

[@emiliobello2538]

I want to visit Cuba

[@marsha32lou]

They should be concentrating on the food situation for tourists before building hotels.

[@Form44208]

Not to mention the food situation for the citizens.

[@christinepizzi6197]

Cuba and Puerto Rico are two islands never to go to....

[@saudielbamber4227]

i dont understand why they dont simply transition to capitalism. repair relations with usa.

[@shauncameron8390]

Ego and hubris.

[@joshuamusicant]

Cuba Libre

[@DrSilktest7]

This happens when you steal private property.

[@tyler6539]

I'm a UK medical student hopefully spending 2 months in Havana next year learning in their hosptials. US sanctions are criminal, why doesn't there seem to be any US and even worldwide movements to the end the blockade? It is so cruel

[@ccie4101]

How come you're not complaining about US sanctions on Iran, North Korea or RuZZia?

[@markjosephbantayan3479]

End the Cuban Embargo!

[@gabyz.2585]

Cuba can do business with all other countries. The US embargo is a problem, but it's not THE PROBLEM.

[@shauncameron8390]

First end the central planning.

[@markjosephbantayan3479]

@@shauncameron8390 why do you care what countries do with their own economy?

[@markjosephbantayan3479]

@@gabyz.2585 not true, any ship that docks in Havana cannot trade with the US for a set number of months. Also there's a thing called the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). That office freezes bank accounts of companies and individuals that trade with American enemies so international businesses with interests in America and American trade partners will never trade with Cuba even as a second tier supplier for fear of getting slapped with an OFAC sanction.

[@tdmoore87]

When Obama was in office, I visited Cuba and absolutely loved it. I hope to make it back one day…if America allows

[@randallpandolini529]

Why was it better when president Obama was in office?

[@TheCorrectionist1984]

Why in the world are we sanctioning cuba still? This is getting ridiculous.

[@chiefrainingstereotype.4184]

You’ve gotta love how the Cubans, and rest of the world, still continue to blame trump with no mention of Biden, who has done nothing to reverse trump’s policies…

[@user-mm6pi9ok4m]

cuba

[@kylesmith8128]

I wanna go to Cuba. Let's be friends again.

[@Luigi12687]

I’m going next month

[@randallpandolini529]

Congratulations!

[@bgenuin3]

Hiw was it

[@tamlamoore7962]

TAMLA TANETTE MOORE IS THE MOST HIGH AND UNSTOPPABLE TOO...ASE HEKA AMEN RA AHO MOORE NATION GRAND RISING KARMA 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😂😂😂😂❤❤❤

[@SaddamHussein-dq9bf]

ZV🇨🇺

[@CASTLEMAN739]

Cuba is the Moniyan

[@RevolutionairSocialistis-ux8tr]

This shows us how capitalism is destroying Cuba. Working class Cubans suffer while the ruling caste of Stalinist parasites work hand in hand with foreign hotel capitalists. The slow return of capitalism shows us why the Communist Party of Cuba is not a revolutionary force. Like all Stalinist parties, they slowly return to capitalism in order to stay in power and to appeal to the world capitalist market. Che Guevara would call for a revolution if he saw what ordinary workers have to face in this supposed ''socialist'' country. In a way, Che already saw this degeneration happening in the USSR when he visited it in the 1960's.

[@chiefrainingstereotype.4184]

I hate to break it to you but making the same mistakes again isn’t going to magically work🤡🤡. It must be tough to accept that the only money coming into Cuba is through evil capitalist tourism (which is why they are betting the house on it). Really wanna see them suffer? Close all the hotels. But I bet that’s just what you’d love to do 😵‍💫

[@shauncameron8390]

LOL. No. It goes to show how socialism destroyed Cuba and this supposed adoption of capitalism is just a last-ditch effort of the Cuban government to remain in power as the PCC is well past its expiry date.

[@jonnyh9388]

Israel’s fault AJ?

[@tyler6539]

Well they are one of the only two criminal regimes (along with the US) in the UN that vote to continue embargo... so yes.

[@percyrajapaksa4194]

Hello...

[@kevmacfish]

Had some great holiday,s in Cuba and I have no doubt it's the USA political embargo that is the major problem the vindictive bastard's will try to destroy anything they can't control

[@jorgeblet1683]

And the embargo the cuban government has on its people?

[@gd1529]

From river to the sea Palestine will be free

[@brokenarrow5590]

🤭🤭

[@sladetuner8661]

And Cuba 🇨🇺 too

[@Jora_Barguzin]

Okay Ahmed.

[@triple5202]

Give it a rest

[@drkarim-kq9md]

It's all right to be poor but not to be a genocider.

[@Islam_terminator]

President should worry about his own country rather than support useless palestine..

[@AlejandroMartinez-it4qq]

is communism they only care about hating on the US and making hotels.

[@percyrajapaksa4194]

Hello...

[@percyrajapaksa4194]

Hello...