Cienfuegos, Cuba Suffering from Drop in Foreign Tourism
The craft fair in Cienfuegos where up to 10 tourist buses a day used to stop, now only a few passers-by come.
By Julio Cesar Contreras (14ymedio)
HAVANA TIMES – Cienfuegos was never a tourist enclave of great importance like Havana or Varadero, but its architectural charm, more republican (post-1902) than colonial, attracted those looking for urban tourism but without the bustle of the capital. In recent years, however, the number of travelers passing through the “Pearl of the South” has fallen, and, at least since the COVID-19 pandemic, the businesses that depended on that movement are fewer and poorer.
A few meters from the city’s pedestrian boulevard, next to Jose Marti Park, the artisans of the Cultural Heritage Fund have a space dedicated to the sale of their products. From wooden sculptures to textiles and costume jewelry, the stalls that offer handmade merchandise have been losing their prosperity.
Maria Luisa, an artisan who manages one of the tables, has witnessed the debacle. “Sales have been greatly affected. Just a few years ago, up to ten buses with tourists stopped here every day, and, although almost everything we sell is for them, from time to time some Cuban would come here to shop too,” she tells 14ymedio.
“Then we could even have the luxury of giving discounts, because we had enough profit to live on,” recalls the 43-year-old cienfueguera, who sells all kinds of memorabilia that can attract interest from abroad: paintings of Compay Segundo, maracas adorned with Cuban flags, cow bone necklaces and Che magnets.
In the current situation, María Luisa explains, the prices of raw materials have risen so much that “it is not only difficult to get them, but also to make a living from handicrafts… If before those who did better had enough to hire a seller, now it is the artisans themselves who sell the products. Between investments, taxes and paying for table space, many have had to abandon the sales point,” she says.
Other private businesses that lived on tourism in the city have also experienced the consequences of the debacle of the sector. This is the case of the small hostel managed by Alberto, who is worried that this off-season will be the last. The cienfueguero has a two-story Republican era house that he fixed up a few years ago to receive tourists. However, with his age, 72, and how difficult it has become to get food and cleaning supplies, “it’s hard to provide services.”
The cost per night in a private hostel here range between 20 and 50 dollars, or, if the owners accept the exchange, its equivalent in MLC (magnetic dollars), depending on the characteristics and location of the place. “Before, food service could be provided to guests, but now between how expensive the food is and how difficult it is to find varied and quality products to offer them what they want, we have almost begun to provide only a simple breakfast.” Offering other services such as the internet, common in other countries, is also a challenge. “It’s spending money on something that most of the time doesn’t work, or the connection is very slow,” he explains.
The large house has also begun to show humidity in some corners, which causes Alberto headaches in advance since, if he needs any major repair, the materials will not only be impossible to find, but they will also cost him “an arm and a leg.”
Even so, many of the foreigners who pass through the city prefer a private hostel, which offers a more personalized service, rather than staying in state facilities. It is to be expected, therefore, that these will also suffer from the lack of customers. The La Unión Hotel in the city, with a four-star category, recently had all of its 46 rooms empty.
“We try to make up for the absence of international tourism with the authorization of services for domestic customers. Although not everyone can afford the prices of our pool or cafes, at least we try to please our visitors, although sometimes we have broken elevators and other deficiencies that cause logical inconvenience to both tourists and employees. Our profits are below what was planned, but we do our best to provide good attention,” a worker of the complex managed by Meliá Hotels from Spain, which has rooms from $70 dollars a night, explained to this newspaper.
At the end of the chain are the restaurants of the city, many designed to exclusively receive tourists, which have now suddenly been left without a clientele and have had to “adapt.” Facing Jose Marti park is the El Palatino cafeteria, whose current customers are – contrary to their initial purpose –are locals who come to have a coffee, a beer or a drink from the canteen.” Musicians no longer play there, and there are no tips for the waiters, condemned to survive with “very low wages for these times.”
Translated by Regina Anavy for Translating Cuba.
Mike Ball, right, the US embargo has forced the Cuban government to design decades of failed agriculural policies that have turned the country into a beggar for donations and led to widespread malnutrition. And by the way, thanks to imports from the United States, chicken and some other products are sometimes available in the country. Maybe in 2059, after 100 years in power, the same government will have farm policies that actually encourage production.
Let’s put the blame on the United States for the decline in Cuba if it wasn’t for the embargo on Cuba of the last 50 plus years Cuba would of been a better place .
We recently visited Varadero for our fourth and final time. Cuban treatment of Canadian tourists has really gone downhill. Our hotel was primarily made up of Russian tourists (who don’t appear to treat staff well or tip) but are treated well by staff. We show respect for locals and tip generously but couldn’t get a drink at the bar until all other guests were served. Canadians understand and sympathize with our Cuban friends but we spent thousands of dollars on a trip for the first time in years and to say we were disappointed is an understatement. Very sad… we miss what Cuba used to be!
Antonio,
“The currency exchange was a major issue, as my Canadian currency was continuously ignored everywhere.”
You had a bad experience in Cuba specifically dealing with Cubans ignoring your Canadian dollars. We can sympathize with that situation. But look at the situation from a Cuban’s perspective. The Canadian dollar trades at a very low rate compared to the American dollar and the Euro.
Cubans are very enterprising people. They know you with those Canadian dollars can easily convert them to American dollars. Of course you will take a substantial loss in the currency’s exchange. What is the value of a Canadian dollar presently in relation to an American dollar?
As at ( July 25, 2024) after our Bank of Canada announced a drop in interest rates resulting in a drop in the value of the Canadian dollar vis-a-vis the American dollar a Canadian must shell out $1.40 Canadian to buy one (1) American dollar. Ouch!! That is expensive.
Do you expect the Cubans to take that loss? Of course not. They will not. They are not going to stand there and take your Canadian currency and watch those Canadian dollars depreciate by the day. No way. Alternatively, you also do not want to take the loss by buying American dollars. If you want to visit Cuba and enjoy what it has to offer a tourist, you must play by their monetary values.
Cubans deal in their national currency and in American dollars. I am sure they would not be adverse to Euros either. However, Canadian dollars in Cuba are a risk for any enterprising Cuban. They know that. You just assume the Canadian dollar in Cuba works like the Canadian currency in Canada. It does not. Moreover, the American dollar rules in Cuba.
The next time you visit Cuba exchange your Canadian dollars for American dollars and, unfortunately, you will take a significant loss. However, in Cuba you will have no problem dealing financially with Cubans as they will happily transact any transaction with you in American dollars.
We publish 90% of the articles in both languages. The Spanish site is http://www.havanatimesenespanol.org or click on the far right of the menu on the English site where it says Spanish which will also take you there. The article you asked about is available in Spanish at: https://havanatimesenespanol.org/reportajes/cienfuegos-cuba-abandonada-por-el-turismo-internacional/
I have been to Cienfuegos. Lovely city and people. But exploitation has always been the name of the game as far as tourists are concerned. It doesn’t cost $50us to stay in a room when the salaries per month, even for professionals is less than $50.
I spent one month in Cuba and I exchanged 200 US dollars on the Black market at $265 peso to the dollar and I already had my Airbnb booked and it was so hard to spend the $200 that I gave some money away. I actually could have survived on 100 US dollars for the whole month. Westerners are too spoiled and don’t understand not to expect what you’re used to in a third world country. Absolutely love Cuba and would go again in a heartbeat actually I’m going to go back.
Wish you would publish these stories in Spanish too allow me to share with my Cuban friends living there. Food for thought.
Used to be a great country to visit. Now staff at hotels in Varadero expect to be given tips for service that feels like they are doing you a favor for basic service. Started to shift our trios to Holguin but that is the same now. Prices got too high for what you can get in other countries but with lack of quality in Cuba. Time to reflect and improve. Lots of hardship for many reasons to the Cuban people to get into. Hope to return one day. Going to Mexico in two weeks for a trip that normally would take place in Cuba.
I feel compelled to share my recent experiences as a Canadian tourist in Cuba. Unfortunately, In summer of 2022 I have been treated terribly on two occasions , both in Havana and Varadero. The currency exchange was a major issue, as my Canadian currency was continuously ignored everywhere. It seems that Cubans have forgotten that Canada plays a significant role in Cuba’s tourism. It is disheartening to see such treatment towards Canadian visitors. However, I believe that if there is a humble attitude and a willingness to re-educate, Canadian tourists will gladly return to Cuba. Thank you for taking the time to read my message.
Regards.
Many people that come as tourists do not the fact they withdrawal from bank it is at $120 and that make Cuba very expensive with the shortages staying in a private place is no longer a good idea. The two major sources of foreign currency health care workers going overseas and tourism are not going to keep the lights on or provide medical supplies needed.
Cuba used to be a place that genuinely welcomed tourists and offered good value. The treatment was sincere.
In the past 5 years or so, I noticed prices going way too high, border line exploiting tourists. And the attitude of people I dealt with became colder and it was obvious they just saw me as a source to extract as much $$$ as possible.
Even when I got sick once and had to go the doctor I felt that, trying to get me to go twice to pay visitation fee twice before getting me antibiotics.
Not to mention that I got sick most likely bc of lack of chlorine in the pool.
So all that to say, I went from someone who loved Cuba to no longer visiting. It’s just not worth it, and if they expect to charge very high prices for services for tourists I prefer to go to Europe.
Case in point is the prices they charge for food and cigars at Varadero Airport. Ridiculous really.
So Sad. HAVANA once the Pearl of the Caribbean has been turned into BERLIN 1944 !!!???