The account of a Chilean tourist's visit to Cuba has sparked lively discussions across social media platforms. The content creator, known as @fannycosas, shared a collection of videos on TikTok detailing her journey to the island.
Her initial video describes the arrival at Havana's airport, likening it to stepping back in time due to its limited technology and small size. On the way to her hotel, she noticed "completely dilapidated houses where people still lived," while inside the hotels "everything is pristine, and nothing is lacking."
During a dinner outing, a waiter confided, "I used to be a doctor, but I earn the same as a waiter. The medical job is very demanding and stressful due to insufficient supplies." The influencer was taken aback by this revelation, prompting her to ponder the dire state of Cuba's healthcare system. "He told us he preferred this job because it was less stressful, even if the pay was similar. That really struck me," she remarked.
She also highlighted the average Cuban salary, ranging from "7,000 to 20,000 pesos," and noted that some venues prohibit entry to Cubans, "something that really shocked me." Another jarring experience was the shortage of products: "The Cuban mojito isn't made with lime, but with artificial juice. A kilo of lime costs 4,000 pesos." Additionally, she observed that "many people on the street speak English well and ask tourists to buy them soap and shampoo."
The testimony provoked a flood of comments: "That's communism, everyone is poor," and "How could you not know about Cuba's situation?" Meanwhile, others defended her stance: "Tourism is the only thing sustaining Cuba; without tourists, it would be worse."
A Cuban user commented, "I'm a dentist, now living in Chile, working as a receptionist. Many doctors had to abandon their careers to escape that hell, and those who remain seek alternative livelihoods." Another user questioned, "What was so wonderful that you saw? Destroyed houses inhabited? A doctor working as a waiter?"
In response to critical comments, the influencer posted another video asserting that "no book or video can reveal the reality like hearing from the people living there." To those opposed to visiting the island, she argued that avoiding travel to Cuba wouldn't change the situation: "If people didn't go to Cuba, things would be much worse." "Without tourism, the situation for Cubans would be dire. It's not the same as watching videos; it's about being there and talking to people," she emphasized.
In a different video, she showcased contrasting visuals of the island: the luxury experienced by tourists in hotels versus the crumbling streets and buildings where Cubans reside.
@fannycosas's account adds to other travelers who have called attention to the crisis in Cuba. In 2024, the island received only 2.2 million tourists, the lowest number in nearly twenty years. A Spanish tourist went viral with a video declaring, "Crying out of frustration, because Cubans don't deserve this."
Despite the ongoing crisis, the Cuban government continues to invest in hotels while the population faces shortages. The influencer concluded, "Cuba is a beautiful country, but one must visit with an open mind."
Questions About Tourism and Life in Cuba
Why did the Chilean tourist compare Havana's airport to stepping back in time?
She felt the airport lacked modern technology and was quite small, giving the impression of going back in time.
What surprising revelation did the waiter share about his previous job?
The waiter revealed he used to be a doctor but now earns the same as a waiter, finding the latter less stressful due to the lack of medical supplies.
How do some people on the street interact with tourists?
Many people on the street, who speak English well, ask tourists to buy them basic necessities like soap and shampoo.
What is the significance of tourism to Cuba according to the influencer?
The influencer believes tourism is crucial for Cuba's economy, suggesting that without it, the situation for Cubans would be much worse.