The tour operators of Russia report an increase in interest among vacationers from that country in booking vacation packages in Cuba during the summer, but this is mainly based on the decrease in hotel prices compared to the high season.
The Russian Union of the Travel Industry (RST) indicated that for the hottest months on the Island, when the general influx of tourists decreases, The most popular hotel chains offer discounts of up to 45% compared to winter.
“The demand for Cuba in this summer season is comparable to that of the same period last year. As in the winter months, in summer the most popular resort in Cuba is Varadero. Havana-Varadero combined tours are also very requested. These programs are in especially high demand, since they allow you to combine tourist visits and beach vacations,” said the entity, cited by the Interfax agency.
The Russian travel agency Fun&Sun indicated that its flight program to Cuba on seats from the Venezuelan state-owned Conviasa will continue until October 20, with departures once every two weeks.
“Demand is stable, so we will announce its extension in the near future,” the company said.
In addition, Twice a week, tourists from the Anex agency fly from Moscow to Varadero on Nordwind planes. According to the press service of that tour operator, tours on regular Aeroflot flights are also in demand, with Havana and Varadero as the most popular destinations.
“Hotels regularly send out special offers,” Anex noted. “The cost of a tour in June for ten nights is 200,000 rubles ($2,200) for two; in August, prices start from 208,000 (almost $2,300),” he added.
The promotional rates and special offers sold by Russian agencies are, for example, 220,000 rubles (about $2,400) for 11 days, with accommodation at the Hotel Dos Mares in Varadero, a 2-star hotel operated by Islazul with breakfast included.
A similar situation occurred in 2023when the discounts were of the order of 15-20%, worth between 135,000 and 145,000 rubles for two people. Such prices corresponded to 3-star hotels, in the best of cases, with breakfast included.
For summer 2023, offers meant that an eight-day trip departing from Moscow starting on May 24, with accommodation at the 3-star Club Karey in Varadero, would cost between 170,000 and 209,000 rubles. That is The 2024 discounts are much greater.
For its part, the Intourist agency reported a 23% increase in summer sales to Cuba, compared to the same period last year.
“Cuba is in the top ten among sending destinations for the summer period. Of course, inferior in popularity to the leaders of mass demand, which are Turkey and Egypt. If last year they went to the Island for ten nights, in 2024 it is more likely that they will make them for 12 nights,” the company commented.
According to figures provided by the Cuban Embassy in the Russian Federation, 185,000 tourists from that country traveled to the Island in 2023, an amount 3.4 times higher than in 2022.
By 2024, Havana expects between 200,000 and 230,000 tourists from Russiaa record number.
Cristina León Iznaga, Tourism Counselor at the Cuban Embassy in Russia, assured that in the first four months of this year, 89,300 Russians traveled to the Island, for a year-on-year growth of 103%.
