Argentinian content creator Mary Low Cost, known on social media as @viaja.haceloposible, has raised concerns about a sudden closure of the hotel she booked in Cuba, occurring just a day after her arrival.
On February 15, 2026, Mary shared a video detailing her experience at Las Dunas hotel in Cayo Santa María. Upon checking in, she was informed that the establishment would be shutting down the following Monday.
"We are in Cuba and were just informed that our hotel will close tomorrow," she stated at the beginning of her video.
The resort staff instructed them to be in the lobby by 2:00 p.m. to be transferred to a different hotel, although they had not been told which one yet.
Mary noted the hotel was nearly empty, and due to low occupancy rates, guests from various hotels in the area are being consolidated into a single location.
During lunch, an employee mentioned that when a hotel closes, workers are sent home without jobs. This illustrates the precarious situation for many employees.
Despite this being "peak season," Mary observed that tourism in Cuba is alarmingly sparse. As an example, she mentioned traveling alone from Havana to the cay on public transportation.
Las Dunas Hotel is operated by Meliá, a Spanish company that earlier in February announced it would scale back its hotel offerings in Cuba to better align with current tourism levels.
This hotel closure is set against the backdrop of a severe economic crisis in the country, characterized by fuel shortages and widespread cutbacks affecting the populace.
The scenario where two tourists are transported individually to a tourist hub, only to be relocated after a single night, highlights issues of planning and management within a sector vital to Cuba's economy.
The Argentine tourist promised to update followers in a new video about her transfer to another hotel and how her stay in Cuba progresses.
FAQs on Hotel Closures in Cuba's Tourism Industry
Why did Meliá decide to close certain hotels in Cuba?
Meliá decided to reduce its hotel offerings in Cuba due to the current low levels of tourism, adjusting their operations to better match the reduced demand.
What impact does hotel closure have on employees?
When a hotel closes, employees are often sent home without work, highlighting the precarious situation for many workers in the tourism sector.
How does low tourism impact Cuba's economy?
Low tourism significantly affects Cuba's economy as it is a crucial sector. This leads to reduced revenue and can exacerbate the existing economic crisis marked by shortages and cutbacks.