Advisors offer some positive insights on Cuba

Two travel agents in different provinces say they are confident that the country will quickly re-establish itself within the Canadian market when its tourism industry gets back on track.

Delores Frederiksen of CAA Atlantic in Saint John says Cuba has built a following, noting she has clients who simply decided to forego vacations when Cuba stopped being available.

“I find that Cuba is one of those destinations people either absolutely love or simply don’t connect with,” she says. “Over the years, I’ve heard incredible feedback from clients who return year after year — and I’ve also heard the occasional difficult story, such as a traveller who recently became ill while away and struggled with the limited services available at the time.”

“The recent wave of cancellations has affected many travellers. Some of my clients are the ones who truly love Cuba: they know what to expect, they pack a few extra snacks, and they enjoy the destination for what it offers. One couple who typically travels for three weeks at a time chose not to go anywhere else and will wait until Cuba reopens. Another pair explored alternatives like Mexico, but ultimately decided they would rather postpone their plans in hopes of returning to Cuba next year.

“For others, the need for a vacation outweighed the desire to wait. Most of my remaining bookings opted for Mexico, even if it meant paying up to $1,000 more per person than their original Cuba package. Fortunately, we were able to find options that worked within their new budgets.”

Frederiksen says those in the Atlantic provinces who are now forced to look at vacation alternatives to Cuba are facing higher pricing for other charter destinations, labelling some of the current rates “truly staggering … I feel for anyone who was hoping to snag a last-minute Caribbean deal this year. It’s difficult to imagine that happening under present conditions.”

She notes that Cuba has a loyal clientele that appreciates Cubans, their culture and the overvall experience and “will return without hesitation. Travellers who were already unsure about Cuba may take longer to reconsider it, though competitive pricing could play a major role in swaying decisions. When the time comes, it will be interesting to see how Cuba positions itself and how the market responds.”

Sheila Aue of TPI — Trevello Travel Group in Mississauga also says there are travellers who will stay put if Cuba isn’t available.

“I totally expect loyal Cuba tourists to go back as soon as it’s open again,” she says.  “Some tourists who are loyal to Cuba have been rebooking to either Dominican Republic or Mexico.  Some are simply staying put.  The cost to travel to Cuba can not be beat, so if they can not find any trips comparable or just a little more than the price they paid for Cuba, they will stay home.”

Meanwhile, Frederiksen says she hopes the crisis in Cuba ends quickly, noting the toll it’s taking on the population.

“Having visited Cuba within the last couple of years on a Transat FAM and getting to know the local guides who worked alongside us, I genuinely feel for the people affected by the current situation,” she says. “Limited work opportunities, the rising cost of basic necessities, and restricted access to power place tremendous strain on daily life, and the human impact is hard to ignore.

“There are many perspectives surrounding the circumstances, but from a travel standpoint, my hope is that Cuba — long known as a safe and welcoming Caribbean destination — recovers quickly and continues to be a place that travellers feel comfortable returning to.”