The state-run laundry facility in Cárdenas, responsible for cleaning linens from Varadero's tourist hotels, has been spotted air-drying sheets on the building's perimeter fences rather than using industrial dryers. This unusual practice was highlighted in images shared on social media this past Saturday.
Christian Arboláez, a user on Facebook, posted the photos in the Cardenenses group, posing a question that captures the sentiment of many: "Is this how we're supposed to promote tourism?"
"Just when you think you've seen it all in Cuba, something else surprises you," Arboláez commented alongside the images, which show a white and blue industrial building with sheets draped along its perimeter fences, exposed to both sunlight and road dust.
The post elicited numerous reactions ranging from sarcastic humor to outright indignation. One user jokingly remarked that these are "eco-friendly hotels utilizing nature for natural drying," while Fani Valera was more straightforward: "Practicing eco-drying. It's getting worse every day."
However, not all comments were humorous. Yosandra Vega, identifying herself as an employee of the laundry, confirmed the severity of the situation: "I work there, and I'm speechless seeing those pictures. Right now, employees are on standby, and I doubt they're servicing the hotels," she emphasized.
Mary Marcos raised concerns about the health risks involved. "Hotel sheets, the ones placed on beds, contaminated with dirty road and field dust. It's disheartening, especially with so many epidemics around. It's unbelievable what happens when there are no other options," she stated.
Eneida González pointed out the underlying contradiction. "Workers demonstrating 'creative resistance.' What a disrespect to tourists who pay a high price for accommodation," she lamented.
Yunier Ledesma added that this practice is not new, stating, "Many hotels have been sun-drying their items for a long time now."
This scene unfolds during one of the most challenging periods for Cuban tourism in decades. By the end of 2025, Cuba welcomed only 1.8 million international tourists, the lowest figure since 2002, excluding pandemic years.
In the first two months of 2026, Cuba received just 262,496 visitors, a decrease of 112,642 compared to the same period the previous year, according to the National Office of Statistics and Information.
Varadero, once the most popular sun-and-beach destination in the Caribbean, has seen a visitor decline of around 70% compared to its peak years. The crisis worsened in 2026 following the halt of Venezuelan oil supplies, which left the nation’s airports without fuel, leading to over 1,700 flight cancellations during peak season and the temporary closure of hotels operated by major chains like Meliá, Iberostar, NH, and Valentín.
Since reaching a peak of 4.7 million visitors in 2018, Cuba has lost 61.7% of its tourism market over seven years, a decline the government has been unable to reverse with any of its strategies, including the so-called "tourism compacting" initiative introduced on February 7.
Key Concerns About Cuban Tourism Practices
Why are hotel linens being dried on fences?
The state laundry in Cárdenas is resorting to air-drying hotel linens on perimeter fences due to a lack of industrial dryers, which highlights broader resource shortages in Cuba.
How has tourism in Varadero been affected recently?
Tourism in Varadero has plummeted by approximately 70% from its peak, exacerbated by the recent cessation of Venezuelan oil supplies and subsequent operational challenges in the hospitality sector.
What are the health concerns with current laundry practices?
Air-drying linens on fences exposes them to contaminants like road dust, raising potential health risks, especially amidst ongoing epidemics.