TORONTO — The Cuba Tourist Board has confirmed strong progress in restoring tourism operations across eastern Cuba after Hurricane Melissa swept through the region.
Under the direction of the National Defense Council and with the support of task forces across the country, essential services and tourism infrastructure are being restored at record speed.
Recovery efforts have centred on cleaning affected areas and repairing critical infrastructure such as water, electricity, communications, and transportation networks. According to officials, damage to hotel properties was largely cosmetic, and operations are resuming swiftly.
Repairing celings in Guardalavaca
The Gran Muthu Almirante hotel has been open since Oct. 30, while tourist zones in Guardalavaca and Pesquero are expected to fully reopen by Nov. 5. By that date, all hotels and facilities in the region are anticipated to be ready for guests.
Gaviota Hotels, Cuba’s premier hospitality group with over 30,000 rooms nationwide, announced on Oct. 31 that its major resort destinations in Varadero, Cayo Coco, and Cayo Santa María remain fully operational following Hurricane Melissa, with recovery efforts underway at eastern properties.
Gaviota’s update notes that “Canadian travellers with existing reservations at Gaviota properties can proceed with confidence. Pre-arranged airport transfers will proceed as booked at operational destinations. Guests with questions should contact their travel advisor or tour operator.”
Clean-up efforts in Guardalavaca
Tours, excursions and attractions outside of hotels are also scheduled to return to normal operations by Nov. 5, signalling a full recovery of tourist activity in the area.
Air travel to the region has resumed as well. Frank País International Airport in Holguín has been operational since Oct. 30, and basic services at Antonio Maceo International Airport in Santiago de Cuba have been restored.
The Cuba Tourist Board attributes the rapid recovery to the island’s well-established emergency protocols and its extensive experience handling major weather events. “Cuba’s high level of preparedness and experienced management of major meteorological events enabled the rapid recovery following Hurricane Melissa,” said Gihana Galindo, Director of the Cuba Tourist Board.
She added that the team looks forward to welcoming visitors across the island as operations stabilize for what is expected to be a successful winter season.
