Power has been restored to all hotels and all tourist areas in Cuba, according to Cuban officials – and Sunwing is also confirming the good news.
“The Cuba Tourist Board is happy to report that the electricity has been restored to 100 % of the hotels in Cuba and at all the tourist areas, it’s business as usual,” spokesperson Lessner Gomez said in a statement sent to Open Jaw late on 23OCT. “We have reports, directly from the destination, that the hotels are fully operational across the country. All facilities and services are back to normal, our clients are enjoying their regular tourist activities, and it’s business as usual.”
In a follow-up note sent 24OCT, Gomez said the tourist board "has confirmed that power has been restored across several areas, including Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo, Cayo Cruz, Cayo Paredon, Cayo Santa Maria, Holguin, Varadero, and Havana." He also said excursions and tours are operating, as well.
Gomez decried the media’s “negative spin” on the blackouts.
“The reality is that the majority of the tourist facilities have their own generators,” he said. “And the Ministry of Tourism, local tour operators’ representatives, hotel management and the hotels staff in general made everything possible to minimize the impact.”
Gomez noted that “all 10 international airports were functioning and carried out the scheduled operations without any problems; all of them had electricity and fuel service available to ensure smooth air operations which also is being guaranteed for the upcoming winter season 2024 -2025.”
As of 23OCT, the Canadian government was still advising visitors to avoid non-essential travel in the provinces of Guantanamo and Holguin in the wake of the hurricane-turned-tropical storm Oscar, which touched down near Baracoa 21OCT.
But Gomez said the storm “didn’t affect any hotels nor any tourist infrastructure in Holguin, since it went through Guantanamo province where there are no major resorts.
“Canadians, for decades have visited Cuba, not only for its pristine beaches and warm weather, but also for the warmth and hospitality of the Cuban people, for its safety and the rich local culture," he added. "But it is the strong friendships with Cubans what keeps them coming back. So, for this coming winter season I would like to invite Canadians to trust us, as we are working very hard to deliver quality service and an elevated holiday experience”.
Sunwing struck a similarly reassuring tone in a 23OCT statement: “Further to reports from Cuban officials, together with updates from our in-destination and hotel partners, we are incredibly pleased to share that power has been restored throughout the island of Cuba as of the evening of October 22, 2024."
The company noted that “several Sunwing-offered destinations were largely unaffected, including Cayo Santa Maria, Cayo Largo and Cayo Coco. Meanwhile, “other destinations like Cienfuegos had power restored promptly, whereas power grid access has since been restored to Holguin, Havana and Varadero.”
While “a number of all inclusive properties in the affected destinations offered by Sunwing were able to operate on backup generators in recent days,” restoration of the national grid is good news for locals, and shows that “the vast majority of the country” is back to normal, Sunwing said.
"We thank our customers in destination for their patience and understanding as Cuban officials worked tirelessly in recent days to ensure power was restored, and we look forward to offering our valued customers more all inclusive Cuban getaways this fall and winter season."
Hugo Rocha, Sales Director of Hola Sun Holidays, told Open Jaw on 24OCT that all flights are operating normally and it's business as usual.
"They are ready to assist Canadian tourists in planning their vacations to enjoy the beauty of Cuba," he said.
