Cuba opens its borders and relaxes entry requirements to welcome tourists

 Cuba opens its borders and relaxes entry requirements to welcome tourists

In November, Cuba will open its borders and relax entry requirements to welcome tourists, after the country vaccinated 80% of its population with Covid-19 with a domestic vaccine.

From November 15, visitors over 12 years old entering the country only have to bring a certificate of vaccination or PCR test.

Destinations in Cuba are preparing to welcome visitors. Hotels arrange doctors and other Covid-19 prevention measures. Varadero coastal resort has partially opened, welcoming both domestic and international guests. Life is also returning to normal in the old town of Habana, the capital of Havana, which is preparing to welcome tourists back after 19 months.

Cuba opens its borders and relaxes entry requirements to welcome tourists. Photo: Reuters

Tourism Minister Juan Carlos Garcia said: “10 international airports are ready for this round of reopening, with Cuba forecast to begin a recovery phase. Cuba maintained a decrease in the number of Covid-19 cases in the past 15 days and demonstrated its ability to control the pandemic.

However, experts predict that the number of tourists to Cuba this year will still decrease sharply compared to 2019 and may only recover in 2022.

"The Cuban government is projecting about 100,000 more tourists to Cuba by the end of the year when Cuba reopens in November. Even in that scenario, Cuba this year," said Cuban economist Ricardo Torres. There will be 92% fewer visitors than in 2019. In other words, the recovery of the tourism industry this year is still a big question mark. The situation is still very bad but hopefully 2022 will be very different.”