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Historical low figures - Only 6 % of tourists compared to last year arrived in Cuba ... https://www.14ymedio.com/cuba/turismo-cae-minimos-historicos-Cuba-trimestre_0_3083091671.html Tourism in Cuba falls to historical lows in the first quarter of the year Between January and March 2021, 76,913 travelers arrived, only 6.2% of those who arrived in the same period last year 14ymedio, Havana | April 26, 2021 The worst forecasts for tourism on the island are already a reality. The Cuban Statistics and Information Office (ONEI) published this Monday that between January and March 2021 76,913 travelers arrived, representing only 6.2% of those who arrived in the same period last year (1,230,934) , more than a million less. Due to the covid-19 pandemic, the island maintains flight restrictions for most countries, especially Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and the United States, places from which the Cuban community travels abroad. Tourism, the third source of income in Cuba behind the sale of medical services and remittances, had already suffered a decline due, in part, to the United States sanctions. In 2019, 436,000 fewer tourists came to the island than in 2018, according to official figures, and the hundreds of hotels in the territory, controlled by the military, had six out of ten empty beds during the year. However, it reported 2.6 billion dollars to the Island. Despite the adverse figures this year and the coronavirus pandemic, which has brought down the arrival of tourists to the Island and to most destinations worldwide, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero said in a meeting with executives that the Tourism will continue to be the locomotive of the Cuban economy. To try to reactivate the sector, the Cuban government opened two of its tourist poles to Russian tourists, a decision criticized by citizens. Russia is one of the countries with the lowest vaccination rate against covid-19 worldwide (not even 5% of its population is vaccinated, according to official figures). This is where the majority of international travelers who have arrived on the island this year come from (21,467 visitors), followed by 7,313 Cubans residing abroad and 4,026 Germans, among which the German parliamentarian Karin Strenz stands out, who died a few weeks ago in a flight from the Varadero resort. To travel to Cuba, tourists must have a negative result in the PCR test printed on paper and dated 72 hours before arrival, and once they land on the island, undergo other similar tests.

Just read that 3 days ago 900 Russian tourists landed in Cayo Coco for an AI vacation that mandated not leaving the Key. 11 of them have tested positive for Covid-19 and are now at Moron hospital - in total 20 are in quarantine by now. The Cuban health ministry MINSAP declares them to be "Russian citizens" of Ciego de Avila province in its statistic ... no mention of tourists. Would be a bit embarrassing as they were the first to land to much fanfare of the state media about "safe vacations" in Cuba, meaning beaches, not hospitals. These are all AI tourists ( just like in VRA ) that cannot and will not venture out of the isolated ghetto and leave no profit for the local economy. And just a few days ago a similiar group of German tourists and tour-operators landed in Varadero to promote Cuban tourism. Mindboggling ... https://www.14ymedio.com/cuba/Once-turistas-covid-19-Ciego-Avila_0_2980501927.html https://www.cubanet.org/noticias/positivos-a-covid-19-turistas-rusos-que-llegaron-a-ciego-de-avila/ https://www.cnddeutsch.com/tourismus/austausch-ueber-tourismus-zwischen-dem-kubanischen-ministerpraesidenten-und-dem

Just stumbled on two articles regarding Cuba re-opening travel to the island. First stated that borders will open August 1st - not earlier. But it has not been confirmed officially. Second is a report on Casas Particulares that are struggling to survive without foreign tourists to rent to. While they are "officially" closed and not allowed to rent to locals by law, some have gone to renting "on the side" to local couples on an "hourly basis". From charging 35 to 40 CUC a night to a tourist some have been renting as low as 3 CUC without A/C or 4 CUC with A/C an hour always fearing being fined/closed by state control officers. But the more ominous news is that is is feared that when re-opening to tourism it will be mandatory for visitors to stay in hotels as Casas Particulares will not be allowed to accept tourists for fear of uncontrolled virus propagation, which is a good excuse to shut down the private renting enterprise that competes with the state hotels. Not confirmed - yet - but if so there goes Cuba travel for many of us that stay in Casas and would not stay in a hotel. https://www.cubanet.org/destacados/casas-de-renta-para-extranjeros-del-lujo-a-la-pobreza/