The Spanish chain Meliá Hotels International has come under fire from environmental specialists from Cuban institutions for a sewage spill from one of its hotels in Trinidad, which is threatening the local mangrove ecosystem. The news was shared last Thursday on social media by Radio Sancti Spíritus, highlighting that experts from the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment of Cuba (CITMA) have raised alarms after detecting the spill from the facilities of the Hotel Meliá Trinidad Península.
The spill is causing significant harm to the mangrove ecosystem in the area, impacting the local flora and fauna. “The stench from contaminated water spilling out of what appears to be a clogged system at the Hotel Meliá Trinidad Península” is affecting both tourists and locals as they travel along the road connecting Casilda to the southern beaches.
Experts have classified the spill as an “ecological problem” and have contacted the Provincial Delegation of Hydraulic Resources, the body responsible for the construction of the system, which has been operational for just over a year, according to the same source.
“The sewage spill, which has been ongoing for about a month, is causing damage to the mangrove ecosystem and its biodiversity: crabs, fish, and aquatic birds are falling victim to the contamination,” CITMA specialists reported.
As Radio Sancti Spíritus points out, mangroves are crucial ecosystems for human well-being and planetary health, providing essential environmental services, playing a key role in conserving various species, and helping to prevent soil erosion.
Meliá Trinidad Península: Environmental Concerns
Inaugurated in mid-November 2023, the state-of-the-art Meliá Trinidad Península joins more than 40 hotels operated by the Spanish chain in Cuba and is situated on the Ancón Peninsula, south of Sancti Spíritus province. “This beachfront accommodation offers stunning views of the Sierra del Escambray,” noted a promotional piece on the Meliá Cuba blog. “Located just 15 minutes from the historic center of Trinidad, one of the best-preserved colonial cities in the Caribbean and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this hotel is the perfect option for discovering the destination.”
The Trinidad Península will add another 401 rooms, 80 of which will be dedicated to the exclusive The Level service, marketed as an ideal space for “enjoying a stay at another level,” for guests over 18. Additionally, the luxury hotel offers swim-up rooms (with private pool access).
The hotel prides itself on its “technological innovations” such as full automation of services through electronic bracelets and energy self-sufficiency with a platform of 1,500 photovoltaic panels that also ensure the hot water system.
A month before its inauguration, in statements to Prensa Latina, the general manager of the Meliá Trinidad Península, Juan Pereira, stated that the facility would become a benchmark on Cuba’s second most important beach after Varadero.
As of writing, the Spanish hotel chain has not issued any statement regarding the spill reported by Cuban authorities. The construction of the facilities was financed by the Mixed Enterprise Toscuba and foreign investor Mosaico Hoteles (Ceiba Investment + Meliá Hotels International). The local financier and operator of the Hotel Meliá Trinidad Península is Cubanacán, while Meliá Hotels International serves as the international operator.
“At Meliá, we are aware that the tourism sector, especially vacation tourism – in which we are leaders – is particularly sensitive to environmental and social issues. Our sector plays a crucial role in the fight against climate change...” states the 2023 management report from the hotel chain. According to this document, “Meliá's passion for hospitality drives us to respond to global challenges by addressing sustainability as a key factor to transform the tourism model and ensure a positive legacy for our planet and society.”
Despite the widespread crisis in Cuba, the regime invested four times more in hotels and restaurants than in Public Health and Social Assistance in the first half of 2023, according to a report by the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI). Investment from January to June in health and social assistance was just 583.3 million pesos, while 2.325.3 million was allocated to hotels and restaurants.
The 80-million-euro investment in the construction of the Hotel Meliá Trinidad Península will now need to be expanded to address the sewage spill problem affecting the area's ecosystem.
Environmental Impact of Sewage Spill from Meliá Hotel in Trinidad
Given the seriousness of the situation, here are some key questions and answers to better understand the environmental impact of the sewage spill from the Hotel Meliá Trinidad Península.
What is causing the sewage spill at the Meliá Trinidad Península?
The spill is reportedly due to a clogged system at the Hotel Meliá Trinidad Península, which is causing contaminated water to overflow and affect the surrounding area.
How is the spill affecting the local ecosystem?
The spill is causing significant damage to the mangrove ecosystem, impacting local flora and fauna, including crabs, fish, and aquatic birds.
What measures are being taken to address the spill?
Environmental specialists from CITMA have contacted the Provincial Delegation of Hydraulic Resources to address the issue, but the problem has yet to be resolved.