What's going on in Varadero now September 10th. In Cuba, announced the exact timing of the complete restoration of the hotel infrastructure

HAVANA, 11 September. /Corr. TASS Andrey Bekrenev/. The devastating hurricane Irma is already raging over Florida, but the severe flooding it caused continues in the Cuban capital.

The famous Havana's Malecon promenade and many streets along coastline. According to meteorologists, waves up to 11 meters high hit the city on Saturday, water penetrated deeper into Havana for more than half a kilometer.

"TASS/Ruptly/Reuters/CCTV"

In some areas, such as central Vedado, people move waist-deep or even chest-deep in water. Cars, furniture, fragments of the roof are floating along the streets. Some Havanese move around the city in makeshift boats.

“I have lived in Havana all my life, but this is the first time I see this. After heavy rains, we often experience flooding, but there has never been such a flood. In some areas, the first floors of houses are completely flooded,” a resident of Vedado told a TASS correspondent.

The city is de-energized

Most of the city has been de-energized for more than a day. The Chairman of the State Council and the Council of Ministers of Cuba, Raul Castro, ordered that all forces be thrown into the restoration of broken power lines.

The epicenter of the hurricane did not approach the Cuban capital closer than 200 km, but in the city of two million, located on the coast Atlantic Ocean, blew all Saturday squally wind, it was raining heavily.

Many buildings on the embankment were damaged, including hotels and the US Embassy. In many places where the water has already receded, it is impossible to pass by car due to broken trees blocking the road.

In connection with weather conditions international Airport José Marti Havana will be closed until 12 noon (19:00 Moscow time) on September 11. Aeroflot's Sunday flight from Moscow to Havana and back was cancelled.

Large-scale evacuation

Residents and authorities of the Cuban capital a few days before the approach of "Irma" began to take serious precautions. Public utilities cleared storm drains, trimmed tree limbs, covered the windows of the buildings on the Malecon with plywood sheets, and reinforced the buildings with sandbags.

About 10 thousand people were evacuated from coastal zones V safe places. Currently, reinforced police squads are on duty on the streets of the city to prevent looting. Not all evacuees have yet been able to return to their homes.

Destruction at the resorts

"Irma", which raged in Cuba for two days, caused serious damage to the tourist infrastructure on the famous resort islands Cayo Coco and Cayo Santa Maria located near north coast countries. Apparently, some hotels there will have to be rebuilt almost anew. The airport serving these islands is almost completely destroyed.

All tourists, including Russian ones, were evacuated from the resorts in advance. According to the Russian embassy in Cuba, the Russians were not injured during the passage of the Irma.

It turned out to be flooded and popular resort Varadero, located 140 km east of Havana. However, there is much less destruction and many vacationers have already returned to the beaches.

No casualties, damage counted

Element inflicted island nation very serious damage, the amount of which has yet to be calculated. But thanks to the measures that were taken in the country before the arrival of the hurricane, the victims, according to preliminary data, were avoided.

Due to the approach of the Irma, a total of more than a million people were evacuated in Cuba. The civil defense forces have equipped in many settlements special shelters with supplies of water, food and medicine for several days.

According to the authorities, "Irma" caused serious damage to crops in the central part of the country, in particular, plantings of sugar cane, bananas and tobacco.

Before coming to Cuba, "Irma" raged in the region for several days Caribbean, causing great damage to Puerto Rico, as well as the islands owned by Britain, the Netherlands and France. According to the latest data, at least 24 people died in the Caribbean as a result of the passage of the hurricane.

Tourists in Cuba had to be relocated from hotels affected by Hurricane Irma, the infrastructure of the resorts of Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo was most destroyed, there are no completely destroyed hotels in Havana and Varadero, the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) reports on Friday. "Most tour operators reported the forced relocation of tourists from the most damaged hotels to others. Cancellations in Cuba are still isolated," ATOR said.

Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo were hit hardest by Hurricane Irma in Cuba. Tour operators who put their charters to Cuba planned to start flight programs in Cayo Coco from October. tour operator Pegas Tourism plans for Cayo Coco have not yet changed and will resolve the issue as the situation normalizes.

The tour operator Anex Tour does not plan to fly to Cayo Coco yet, arguing that a number of the island's hotels cannot be restored at all, and the rest can be restored no earlier than in one or two months. Tourists who have already purchased tours to Cayo Coco from the tour operator are offered to change the direction, in particular, to the Dominican Republic. According to the tour operator ICS Travel Group, Cubans plan to restore hotels on the islands by November.

According to ATOR, the situation in Havana and Varadero is much better. In the resort of Varadero, some hotels have broken windows, broken verandas, fallen trees, and electrical damage. The host companies promise that everything will be fixed within two weeks. The beach strip of Varadero has been badly damaged and now they are clearing debris and installing new umbrellas. According to the Ministry of Tourism of Cuba, in the regions of Holguin, Baracoa, Camaguey, Trinidad, and Santiago de Cuba, the tourism infrastructure is functioning normally.

As specified in the message, in Varadero, all hotels of the Melia chain are open and operate as normal, with the exception of the Paradisus Varadero, Melia Peninsula Varadero and Royal Service Paradisus Prinncesa del Mar hotels. Of the most serious damage, damage to the dome of the Meliá Varadero hotel is noted. They promise to fix it within a month.

Hotel holding Iberostar announced that almost all hotels in Varadero and Havana have returned to normal operation. Currently, only Iberostar Alameda and Habana Riviera by Iberostar are closed for emergency repairs. Anex Tour does not recommend tourists to book tours in Blau Marina, Iberostar Playa Alameda, Melia Peninsula, Paradisus Varadero, Paradisus Princesa del Mar, Ocean Varadero El Patriarka, Gran Caribe Playa Caleta, Sol Sirenas Coral, Belive Turquesa.

Formed in the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricane Irma last week became the longest-serving Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Rostourism on Wednesday reported serious damage tourism infrastructure in Cuba as a result of the passage of "Irma". // Interfax

Tour operators are relocating tourists to Varadero from properties damaged by Hurricane Irma to hotels of a similar level. Cancellations in Cuba are still isolated.

IN WHAT STATE IS THE TOURIST INFRASTRUCTURE OF CUBA

Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo suffered the most from Hurricane Irma that passed through Cuba - here, eyewitnesses report, the infrastructure is almost 100% destroyed and there is still not even electricity. Tour operators who put their charters in Cuba ( ANEX Tour, Pegas Touristik) planned to start flight programs in Cayo Coco from October.

The tour operator has not yet changed plans for Cayo Coco and will resolve the issue as the situation normalizes.

The tour operator does not plan to fly to Cayo Coco yet, arguing that a number of the island's hotels cannot be restored at all, and the rest can be restored no earlier than in 1-2 months, the company said. Tourists who have already purchased tours to Cayo Coco from the tour operator are invited to rebook to other destinations, in particular, to the Dominican Republic.

According to the tour operator, Cubans plan to restore hotels on the islands by November.

The situation in Havana and Varadero is much better, according to tour operators, citing their host companies. There are no completely destroyed hotels in the resort of Varadero, some hotels have broken windows, broken verandas, fallen trees, and electricians have suffered. The host companies promise that everything will be fixed within 2 weeks. ANEX Tour reports that 75% of the electricity supply has been restored to Varadero.

The general director of Pegas Touristik, Anna Podgornaya, told Vestnik ATOR that communications are still poor in Cuba, but there are no interruptions in food and drink for tourists.

The beach strip of Varadero suffered very badly: rubble is being cleared and new umbrellas are being installed. The problem with sunbeds and umbrellas will be solved in the next week.

The tourism infrastructure in the regions of Holguin, Baracoa, Camaguey, Trinidad, and Santiago de Cuba is functioning normally, the Cuban Ministry of Tourism told ATOR Vestnik.

WHICH HOTELS IN VARADERO CAN BE FOR SALE AND WHICH ARE NOT

Most tour operators reported forced relocation of tourists from the most damaged hotels to others.

In particular, ANEX Tour tourists (from the last arrival before the hurricane) were relocated from the seriously damaged Playa Caleta, Tortuga and Sun Beach hotels to the Palma Real hotel; from Turquesa and Grand Memories - to the Solyma hotel; from the Paradisus, Melia Antillas and Melia Peninsula hotels - to the Melia Varadero hotel; from the damaged Hotel Patriarca to the Hotel Vista Azul. In the future, this picture will change, as restoration work is underway, damaged hotels will be gradually restored, ANEX Tour reports.

Representatives of the tour operator said that now tourists you can rest b in the following hotels (and travel agents, respectively, sell tours in them):

Melia Varadero

Melia Las Americas

Memories Varadero

Iberostar Bella Vista

Ocean Vista Azul

Barcelo Solymar

Arenas Blancas

Starfish Quatro Palmas

Belive Experience Varadero

Belive Las Morlas

Representatives of ANEX Tour note that the damage in these hotels is non-critical and will be repaired within a few days, the repair does not interfere with the rest of tourists: the pool, beach bars, a la carte restaurants, etc. are being restored somewhere. As repairs are completed in other affected hotels, the list will be updated with new objects, so the tour operator asks travel agents to keep in touch with its representatives for up-to-date information.

In other Varadero hotels from the tour operator's range, which were more severely affected by the hurricane and where repairs are underway, ANEX Tour's host specialists are monitoring the development of restoration work. As data is received from them, the tour operator will inform travel agents about the readiness of the infrastructure of these hotels to receive tourists. ANEX Tour emphasizes that tourists will be accommodated only in hotels where conditions for a comfortable stay are created.

For tourists who have purchased tours to hotels where the repair will not be completed at the time of arrival, the tour operator will offer alternative replacement options if closer to the date of arrival it becomes clear that the repair in these hotels is not completed and living in them will be impossible or uncomfortable. Information will be provided to travel agents.

Pegas Touristik also reports on the facts of the resettlement of tourists from hotels damaged by Irma.

“The check-in of tourists is carried out in coordination with our host company. We do not accommodate tourists in hotels with destroyed infrastructure. To all tourists whose booked hotels suffered from a hurricane, other accommodation facilities of a similar star rating are offered, ”explained Anna Podgornaya.

Similar information is given in ICS Travel Group. “From the hotels, which are now undergoing forced repairs, tourists were settled in other hotels of the corresponding category,” the company told Vestnik ATOR.

According to the Ministry of Tourism of Cuba, in Varadero, all hotels in the Melia chain are open and operate normally, with the exception of the Paradisus Varadero, Melia Peninsula Varadero and Royal Service Paradisus Prinncesa del Mar hotels. Of the most serious damage, damage to the dome of the Meliá Varadero hotel is noted. They promise to fix it within a month.

As the Minister of Tourism of Cuba, Manuel Marrero Cruz, stressed, "there is no disaster in hotels in Cuba." According to him, tour operators of some countries, for example, Canada, from where the most a large number of tourists, launch flight programs to Cuban destinations this Friday.

WHAT WITH FLIGHT PROGRAMS TO CUBA

On this moment Varadero airport, where the flight programs of tour operators are carried out, operates as usual. The flight programs of tour operators are also normalizing. The first export flight of ANEX Tour has already taken place, on the 20th the next flight from Moscow is scheduled.

ANEX Tour clarifies that the next arrival of tourists from Moscow to Varadero is scheduled for September 20. At the same time, those tourists who were supposed to fly from Varadero to Russia on the 23rd will fly home on September 20 - their vacation will be shortened due to the cancellation of the flight. For unused days of hotel stay, tourists will be compensated through their travel agencies. There are few cancellations of already implemented tours to Cuba.

PegasTouristik last flight was completed on September 8, the next - in ten days - will be completed according to plan. Now there are 277 tourists of the tour operator on Varadero. Almost all of them take off on a return flight, new vacationers arrive.

According to Anna Podgornaya, there are practically no requests for cancellations from tourists, just as there are no people who want to cancel tours to Cuba and buy a ticket to another country. “Tourists follow the reports and the weather and decide to fly on vacation,” says Ms. Podgornaya.

ICS Travel Group had 25 tourists in Cuba at the time of the hurricane. On Wednesday, September 13, tourists left the island, whose vacation ended on September 9, 10 and 11. Other clients of the company continue their vacation on Varadero. The company had only 3 cancellations from tourists who were afraid to fly to Cuba. “Life at the resort is gradually recovering, there is no reason to cancel a trip to Cuba. The Cuban side is working very quickly, paying the necessary attention to all tourists,” the company notes.

Regular flights to Havana and Varadero also operate as usual. Aeroflot resumed daily flights in Havana from 12 September.

Hurricane Irma became tourist Cuba a real blow. Tourists post photos of destroyed lobbies and rooms with broken windows and broken furniture on social networks. We can agree that such posts cannot reflect the real picture of the state of the resort. What is happening in Varadero now, decided to personally find out the Spanish travel agent - he drove around the hotels and posted a report on tripadvisor. We invite you to familiarize yourself with it in order to decide whether it is worth going to Cuba now.

"Irma" roamed

According to the travel agent, the elements not only worked on the hotels, but also literally filled up the entire resort with debris, stones and fallen trees. Despite the fact that Varadero Airport should be open any day, getting to it is very difficult. The road is blocked by fallen electric poles and various debris. The city itself was also badly damaged. There are problems with electricity, some shops do not work.

Inspection of hotels showed that many of them have common problems. Access to some is actually blocked by trees and debris. Although the hotels themselves have begun restoration work, the roads to them have not yet been cleared. There is also no regular electricity supply. Most hotels run on backup power generators. cellular and the Internet are available intermittently.

In his report, the travel agent notes that most of the guests are in their rooms, as authorities ask them to stay away from beach areas and areas damaged by the hurricane. At the same time, restaurants have not resumed their work in all hotels; where there are problems with food, food is again delivered to tourists directly to their rooms.

Counted on the heads

In addition to the general assessment, the travel agent spoke about the state of the most popular hotels in the resort. Many of them are badly damaged, but there are those that were practically not affected by Hurricane Irma.

Blau Marina Varadero- the hotel received serious damage, as it is located right on the tip of the peninsula and came under direct attack from the Irma. In the main building, the roof and glass doors were destroyed by the wind. There are also damages in the rooms themselves. The waves washed away the beach.

Melia Marina Varadero– windows are broken in some rooms, balconies are damaged, but the most damage can be seen in the common areas of the hotel, especially in the lobby. The hotel is located on a hill, so protection from gusts of wind is minimal.

Grand Memories Varadero– Restoration work will be required in the foyer. Irma also caused great damage to the roof, gardens and pools of the hotel. According to CEO hotel, about 40 rooms will have to be repaired, in particular, windows are broken. But in general, there are no serious structural damages. However, access to the beach is practically blocked.

Memories Varadero– The hotel is in relatively good condition. Some restoration work will be required in corridors, public areas and rooms on the upper floors, where leaks in the ceiling can only be repaired after a complete roof replacement. At present, the hotel has already opened a lobby bar without alcoholic drinks. It is planned that soon he will be able to work as usual.

Paradisus Varadero– partially demolished roof on the roof, also main building badly damaged by the wind new restaurant, which was being built near the beach, collapsed. Apparently, the restoration of the hotel will cost the owner a large sum.

Royalton Hicacos- Another hotel that has received a lot of damage. Because of the waves beach area blurred. The restaurant on the beach is partially destroyed, the roof is torn off in places. The Caribeño restaurant has broken windows. The territory of the hotel is littered with rubble.

Iberostar Varadero- part of the bungalows had thatched roofs blown away, those that were located by the pool were completely destroyed. The hotel theater was damaged.

Be Live Turquesa– the hotel was evacuated, so it was not possible to conduct a full inspection.

Playa de Oro- The windows in the rooms are broken. The hotel lobby and swimming pool were partially destroyed. Fallen trees throughout. Nevertheless, the restaurant works and provides guests with food.

ROC Arenas Doradas– The hotel is in relatively good condition. In some places, air conditioners were torn down, but there was no significant damage.

Melia Las Antillas– the hotel was also almost not damaged. Minor damage to the facade will be quickly repaired.

Blau Varadero- due to the fact that the hotel is quite high, the main damage occurred on the upper floors. The lobby was largely unaffected by the hurricane.

Starfish Varadero- No major damage was noted.

Brisas del Caribe– Rooms and lobby heavily damaged. During the inspection, several tourists were seen waiting to be resettled due to broken glass in their rooms and leaking ceilings.

Iberostar Laguna Azul– the hotel is located on a hill, but did not receive serious damage, despite the open location. However, several bungalows are completely destroyed, the roof was torn off the restaurant.

Starfish Cuatro Palmas The hotel has been evacuated. A cursory inspection showed partial damage to the façade.

At the end of his note, the travel agent predicted that the repair of all damage would take at least a few months. This is due to the fact that the priority is the restoration of electricity, water supply and telecommunications services. Hoteliers will be the last to repair facades and rooms.

Note that numerous destructions in hotels in Cuba were officially reported by Rostourism. However, in case of refusal of tourists from tours to the island, cancellations will occur in a standard format, taking into account the actual costs incurred by the tour operator. Therefore, to sell Cuba now or not, the travel agent must decide on his own.

A natural disaster covered the capital of Cuba with powerful winds of 60 km / h with gusts up to 121 km / h and showers. The height of the waves in some places of the island reached six to nine meters. Flights cancelled, tourists evacuated. Our compatriots were also at the center of events. They say about themselves: lucky. Because in the most amazing way they managed to get a lot of impressions and safely return to their homeland. And 11 days spent in Cuba became an amazing page in their lives.

Sep 6, 2017 at 4:38 PDT

Director of external relations JSC KTC Metallokonstruktiya Ekaterina Nevidimova planned her vacation in advance. More than a month went to the travel agency. But where to fly - I decided unexpectedly for myself.

It turned out quite funny: I came to Rostur and said that I needed Türkiye. Although I did not want to fly there at all. And when the travel agent asked, “Well, are we watching Turkey?” I suddenly replied, “No! Let's Cuba!

Katya decided on the place right away - Varadero. This amazing beaches Cuba - Atlantic Ocean, shallow water, sand.

The hotel was chosen from the photo. I immediately dismissed all five-star ones, because they are all rather boring: huge buildings and no soul. And I needed to go out, see, the soul turned around and did not turn around until the end of the tour, - the traveler smiles. - As a result, I settled on the Kawama Hotel, which does not have five stars, but is located directly opposite Florida and is located in the coastal zone of magnificent beauty.

This season, as it turned out, prices for trips to Cuba are quite affordable, and by the end of August they have dropped significantly in price.

We looked at departure options: on August 19 and August 29. The last date was cheaper by a very decent amount. All inclusive in Turkey is even more expensive in some cases, it takes chic hotel rooms, a variety of food and crazy entertainment. But Cuba is different. Cuba is a penniless soul.

Without a penny for the soul ...

Poverty, no matter how sad it may sound, is the very word that characterizes Cuba perfectly. About how strikingly different the life of the islanders, Katya was convinced in the very first days of rest.

There is nothing in stores in Cuba but rum, cigars, coffee, chips, corn sticks, cola and water. There are big problems with detergents. Prices for tourists are very high, for locals - very different. They have food coupons. For example, the guide said that the norm of meat and sausage per person per month is 250 gr. They constantly eat rice and beans, they love this food very much, they either cook everything separately and mix it, or all together at once. Each of these types of cooking has a separate name even. And, as I understand it, food supply in Cuba has always been bad.

Tourists, of course, did not buy goods on coupons, but they did not go hungry either. In hotels, even if not five-star, absolutely everything is provided for visitors.

Guests of the island are a source of well-being for the locals. And this applies not only to food, but to the safety of life. This is understood by all Cubans and therefore they are very careful about such a source of income for the country as tourism, its development.

Tourists from Russia, by the way, were the only guests at the hotel. Therefore, they communicated there only in English.

… and heaven for the soul

But the life of the island of freedom, of course, will be remembered by Katya most of all. Ulyanovsk tourists were captivated by the amazing, with beautiful architecture V colonial style fairy tale city of Havana.

The Malecon promenade, which is called the longest bench in Havana - on it locals they like to sit in the evenings, just talking, there are always a lot of lovers here.

And the most vivid impression that will remain for many years is the ocean.

The ocean in Cuba is a paradise for the soul and the eyes. This is one of the most safe countries in terms of harmful animals and plants. On this paradise island solid beauty without the potential threat to life.

Publication from Ekaterina Nevidimova (@katrin_nevidimova)
Sep 4, 2017 at 11:22 PDT

But there is one thing - seasonal hurricanes, storms and tropical downpours. The latter swoop in sharply and pass just as quickly, not having time to even slightly spoil the mood of tourists with their warm streams. Everything dries up very quickly.

But from Monday (September 4 - author's note), strange things began to be noticed: a dolphin swam, then for several days in a row at 16.15 an electric stingray sailed exactly to the beach, needlefish swam near the shore, there were a lot of fish in general in the water near the shore began to scurry. On Thursday, flowers, small bananas and agave washed up on the shore - we connected this with a hurricane in Miami.

Publication from Ekaterina Nevidimova (@katrin_nevidimova)
Sep 7 2017 at 4:22 PDT

Without panic, but with excitement

In general, they started talking about the storm from the beginning of the week. At the reception they posted reports on the movement of "Irma" and "Jose". On Thursday, all windows in the hotel were sealed with tape. On the beach, the work of lifeguards, police and hotel security has been stepped up. Tracking the trajectory of the Irma, they were waiting for her attacks from the morning of September 8 and beyond. Each downpour with thunder and wind caused a vague premonition of impending disaster.

But both workers and vacationers at the hotel did not panic. Although, of course, the excitement of those around was felt, people followed the news.

It was scary, it's true, - Ekaterina admits. - Because everyone is defenseless before the elements. Relatives in Ulyanovsk went completely crazy with excitement. And we just tried not to panic. Once we even somehow sat on a swing after dinner with a girl from Moscow and examined the buildings around, planned our actions in case Irma arrived. We tried to assess the strength of the buildings on the territory and determine the load-bearing structures in our houses.

But until Friday, nature protected this beautiful land. On September 8, Ekaterina packed her bags - the holidays were over.

Our plane was delayed for 2 hours. Why - we do not know. But during this time it began to rain twice, and the clouds thickened to blackness. Then they announced the landing on our Boeing. By the way, before taking us to Russia, he brought a new batch of Russians to Varadero... That was strange. Because the situation there was tense, the media wrote about the evacuation, and here - more than 300 new vacationers came to the very hell.

On Friday, but after Katya's departure, the tourists were evacuated from the hotel. All flights to Moscow, starting from Saturday, have been postponed…

Now Katya is already in her native Ulyanovsk. Relatives are happy that the vacation ended well, the traveler herself enjoys numerous photos and memories.

I really remember the words of the guide Jesus. He studied at one time in the USSR as a pilot, met his wife here, who studied at a pedagogical university. And then he returned to Cuba. During the tour, he said: “Thank you, friends, to your country for your support, without you we would not have lasted a day in the fight for freedom” ... I hope Irma will spare Cuba and its extraordinary people, who all know how to dance salsa and bachata from birth, know a lot about rum no worse than real pirates and are always in good location spirit... Maybe because the favorite incendiary melody sounds in the head of a real Cuban even when he is just walking down the street. No passaran! Viva la Cuba - They will not pass. Long live Cuba. The slogan of the Cuban revolution is now relevant - but as if addressed to the hostile forces of nature.

Publication from Ekaterina Nevidimova (@katrin_nevidimova)
Sep 9 2017 at 3:48 PDT

Reference:

Hurricane Irma is already being called the most powerful hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean region in at least the last decade. More than 20 people have become victims in the Caribbean region. About 200 Russian tourists were evacuated from the area of activity of Hurricane Irma in Cuba. At the moment, his influence is already being felt in the state of Florida.

Victoria Memetova,

Photo from the personal archive of Ekaterina Nevidimova