Karina Sánchez Rodríguez (@kary_sanchezyoutuber), a Cuban national, recently posted a video on Instagram showcasing the dire state of Varadero. This beach, once celebrated as one of the world's most famous, now appears almost deserted.
Having visited the coastal resort city on numerous occasions, Karina was invited by friends this time around. To her dismay, she encountered a grim reality: empty streets, hotels operating with minimal guests, and a stark lack of tourists in public areas.
The decline in Cuba's tourism isn't a fresh issue, yet the visuals shared by Karina underscore the severe impact of the island's economic crisis and the government's waning credibility in the sector. Despite the regime's continuous push to brand tourism as a primary revenue source, the poor medical services available to visitors, inadequate infrastructure, frequent blackouts, and the country's overall collapse are deterring foreigners.
While the government persists in developing new luxury hotels, the social housing initiative remains unfulfilled for over five years, leaving countless Cubans in dire conditions. In cities like Havana, the housing crisis grows ever more apparent, with buildings on the brink of collapse and families forced to reside in shelters or in hazardous structures.
This stark contrast—investing in hotels without guests while citizens lack essential facilities such as hospitals, schools, and decent housing—reveals the failure of the regime's economic strategy.
Karina Sánchez Rodríguez's experience serves as a poignant reminder of the deep crisis facing Cuba and the extent to which governmental policies have eroded a sector once seen as the key to development.
The State of Tourism in Cuba: Key Questions Answered
Why are tourists avoiding Cuba?
Tourists are deterred by poor medical services, inadequate infrastructure, frequent power outages, and the overall economic collapse of the country.
What is the housing situation in Cuba?
The housing crisis is severe, with many buildings on the verge of collapse. The social housing plan has been unfulfilled for over five years, leaving many in precarious living conditions.
How has the Cuban government responded to the tourism decline?
The government continues to focus on building luxury hotels, despite the decline in tourism and the unmet needs of its citizens for basic amenities.