Situation report from Havana: «Cuba is a safe travel destination»

Yesterday, Travelnews reported on the heightened travel warning for Cuba issued by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and noted that travellers to Cuba must be prepared for significant restrictions, citing the reasons for this: economic collapse, precarious energy supply and a deteriorating security situation.

Reto D. Rüfenacht, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Caribbean Tours and Latin America Tours, is one of the most prominent Cuba experts in the Swiss travel industry and is currently in Havana. Here is his assessment of the current situation in Cuba.

«In light of the Travelnews article published on Wednesday about the situation in Cuba, as an expert based in Havana who assists travellers throughout the island, I would like to provide a realistic and accurate picture of the current situation.

First, I would like to clarify that Cuba remains a peaceful and safe destination. The atmosphere in the streets of Havana and other major locations is peaceful, and visitors can move around freely without feeling unsafe. Cuba continues to be one of the safest destinations in the Caribbean in terms of crime rates. This is also reflected in the experiences of travellers.

The article suggests a deterioration in the security situation; however, the reality for tourists is that the situation throughout the country and on the streets is calm.
Yes, Cuba is currently struggling with fuel shortages and intermittent power cuts. These problems are not new to the country and are being managed through proven contingency plans. Power cuts have long been a part of everyday life in Cuba. Travellers will find that hotels, restaurants and private businesses are equipped with emergency generators to ensure continuity of service. Although these outages can be inconvenient, they do not pose a threat to visitor safety and do not affect the operation of hotels or tourist facilities. Cuba has an experienced workforce and infrastructure that is familiar with dealing with such challenges.»

No food shortages for tourists

«Contrary to some reports, there is no food shortage for tourists in Cuba. The private sector offers a wide range of food, from restaurants to supermarkets. Many private companies also import food independently, thus ensuring the supply for their customers. Travellers need not worry about basic supplies or catering options; the variety and quality of what is on offer, especially in private restaurants, remains very good.

The shortage of medicines in state hospitals and pharmacies is not a new problem. As with any trip, we recommend that travellers bring all necessary personal or special medication with them. Our company offers all travellers round-the-clock support on site in case of medical or logistical problems and can procure medication if necessary.

It is true that fuel shortages are affecting local transport. However, we are currently maintaining transfers and services for our guests as far as possible and are working closely with our partners to ensure continuity. As part of the country's emergency plan and in order to save fuel, many hotels with low occupancy rates have been closed. In most cases, however, customers are upgraded to other nearby accommodation. In addition, we work exclusively with private accommodations that have emergency power generators or solar infrastructure.

As a destination management company, we are monitoring the situation very closely and are in close contact with our trusted partners. We offer all our customers transparency and insights into the local situation and are in constant communication via our 24/7 WhatsApp hotline.»