Russian tourists outraged: five-star hotels in Cuba disappoint!

Russian tourists outraged: five-star hotels in Cuba disappoint!

More and more Russian tourists are expressing their dissatisfaction with the conditions in Cuban five-star hotels. The complaints include serious deficiencies in hotel amenities and hygiene, causing disappointment and discomfort among travelers. A tourist reported leaking taps, broken hairdryers, and dirt and insect infestation in the common areas of an unnamed hotel. One Russian traveler even described her experience as “disappointing and unhygienic.” The quality of the food, which often combined fresh food with old dishes, was particularly criticized. Access to drinking water was also limited; Only 1.5 liters of water were available per room, while up to three dollars had to be paid for additional drinking water.

Such feedback is part of an increasing number of negative comments about the hotel infrastructure in Cuba, particularly in the luxury segment. Tourism authorities are trying to boost tourism but are seeing little improvement in visitors' opinions. The situation raises serious questions about the quality of service provided by Cuban tourist establishments. Despite these challenges, Cuba remains a popular travel destination for many Russians. In the period from January to August 2024, over 133,000 Russian tourists visited the island, an increase of 125 percent compared to the previous year.

Flight altitude of complaints and insect pests

The frustration among visitors relates not only to the hotels, but also to the annoying mosquitoes that are common during the travel period. Bites from these insects cause intense itching and can lead to painful blisters. Antihistamines do not work in all cases, which increases concerns among tourists. Cristina León, tourism advisor at the Cuban Embassy in Russia, explains that in tropical countries like Cuba, mosquitoes are particularly active in hot and humid months. While Lada Popelo, director of the Caribbean Club travel agency, informs that these insects are active mainly from May to November, she recommends tourists to use special insect repellents and wear clothing that covers the skin.

The Pink Elephant travel agency also reported only one significant case of discomfort from mosquitoes among the 8,000 to 10,000 Russian tourists who visited Cuba. Despite the aforementioned problems and significant challenges, Cuba continues to experience a decline in international tourists from major markets such as North America, Spain, Germany, Mexico and others. The relevance of solutions to improve 관광 infrastructure and service quality is more urgent than ever.