A Canadian travel agency removes 26 Cuban hotels from its catalog and promotes alternative destinations

[El Presidente]

 

https://en.cibercuba.com/noticias/2024-11-18-u1-e208933-s27061-nid292224-agencia-viajes-canadiense-retira-26-hoteles-cubanos

 

A Canadian travel agency removes 26 Cuban hotels from its catalog and promotes alternative destinations

Following this decision, the agency assures that it aims to enhance the tourist experience outside of Cuba.

A renowned Canadian travel agency has decided to remove 26 Cuban hotels from its catalog and instead promote alternative destinations in the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, Honduras, and Colombia.

In an interview with PAX, Samantha Taylor, the marketing director of Sunwing Vacations Group, a prominent Canadian travel agency, stated that the withdrawal is due to quality issues identified in customer feedback.

The measure, he explained, aims to ensure a more satisfying experience for tourists, aligning with the expectations of Canadians visiting Cuba, a consistently popular destination.

He added that the decision, which was made following a review that began earlier this year, also responds to the need for transparency in the service.

 

"What is a five-star hotel like in Cuba? What is a three-star hotel like? What we see in our clients' feedback is that Canadians want a certain level of transparency regarding what they receive. They don’t want surprises," Taylor explained.

The situation is being worsened by the growing problems Cuba has faced in recent months, including power outages that have impacted the country's electrical grid.

Taylor acknowledges that these events can influence consumer confidence. "Cuba has experienced some volatility in recent weeks, and that may affect consumer confidence," he stated.

For travelers concerned about the value and stability of their vacations, Sunwing has begun to focus on alternative destinations that qualify as "hidden gems."

This new strategy includes locations that typically receive less exposure than traditional all-inclusive destinations, yet offer unique and high-quality experiences. Among the highlighted destinations are:

• Puerto Plata and La Romana, in the Dominican Republic.
• Freeport, in the Bahamas
• Panama
• Roatán, Honduras
• San Andrés, in Colombia, is a new addition to Sunwing's portfolio.

Despite these changes, Sunwing remains committed to Cuba, working closely with the tourism office to enhance its offerings and ensure that the products meet travelers' expectations.

"The island will be ready for them when they are ready to return, and we hope to earn that trust again," Taylor stated.