Cuban horizons – In

By Sarah Marshall (PA)

Barack Obama’s arrival in Havana on March 21 – the first visit to Cuba by a US president for 88 years – marked the latest step towards renewed relations between America and the politically-isolated Caribbean island.

Since moves towards lifting the trade embargo were first made in December 2014, there has been a rush of US and European visitors to the colourful country where advertising billboards and fast food chains have yet to invade – though tourists desperate to see Castro’s Cuba are now on a race to beat the clock.

Western Oriental has seen enquiries up 200% year on year, and in the 24 hours following Obama’s historic trip, Skyscanner reported a 48% increase in searches from the UK to Cuba.

Although channels are not yet completely open, US tourism has increased. USTAO (US Travel Agents Organisation) predicts 1 to 1.5 million US tourists will visit in the next 10 years.

But can a country with crumbling colonial buildings and poor infrastructure cope with the increased demand? Following a honeymoon period of sell-out tours, some operators have admitted to scaling back escorted trips due to a shortage of hotel beds.

Already several hotel groups are planning expansion. Melia Hotels International has three new properties in the pipeline, which will bring an additional 2,000 rooms to Cuba. For now, many customers are bypassing the problem of a hotel bed shortage by choosing to stay in Casas Particulares – private homes with a local host.

Homestay.com, which lists a number of the properties, has witnessed 179% growth in the last year, with more than 250 homestays now available in Cuba. Havana tops their list of 10 most popular cities searched for worldwide, with Trinidad, Vinales and Cienfuegos also proving popular.

Anarelys, who operates a Casa Particular in Trinidad, says guest bookings have doubled in the last year. “I’m now at capacity 90% of the time. As the tourist numbers increase, so does the competition of homestay accommodation, so I’m investing my earnings in decorating my home and making my guest bedrooms beautiful.”

In reality, change is already under way in Cuba and the pace of development is only set to quicken. But travellers wanting to “go now” may have to adjust their ambitions; even booking tomorrow could require several months’ wait.
The low season spans May, June and September, with resort hotels offering fewer facilities or being shut altogether. There’s a hurricane risk between June and November and a higher chance of rain. Special deals can be spotted in April and October.

As for high season (November-March when the weather is cooler and drier; July-August), prices can be as much as 30% higher and hotels require advance bookings.