Tourism reactivates in Cuba after almost two years of pandemic

Cuba has vaccinated almost its entire population with its own injections, which allowed the borders to reopen last week, after a hiatus of almost two years.

Infections have dropped dramatically across the country in recent weeks, according to official statistics.

There was a buzz at La Bodeguita del Medio, a restaurant that claims to be the birthplace of the mojito cocktail, on a sunny November day when waiters made mint drinks for mostly European tourists wearing shorts and T-shirts.

Ernesto Hechevarría, a 55-year-old tour guide, told Reuters outside the bar, once frequented by American novelist Ernest Hemingway, that foreign visitors would bring the capital city to life.

“Tourism is the engine of Cuba’s economy. Tourism moves restaurants, cafes, those that sell handicrafts, “he said.” Now, the economy is beginning to reactivate, “he added.

Authorities on the Caribbean island closed schools, entertainment venues, as well as restaurants, and drastically reduced flights to the country for almost two years due to the pandemic, exacerbating an economic crisis that has caused food and medicine shortages.

“Everything was like frozen, there was nothing to eat, there was nothing at all. Now, little by little, you take your level back,” said Dayana Siloche, a handicraft vendor in Havana.

Tourists were equally happy as they took photos in the squares of central Havana and surrounding streets.

The Spanish tourist Ignacio Pindado strolled through the central Plaza de la Revolución in Havana, excited about the opportunity to leave Spain and travel once more.

“The fact of being able to come here, and see international borders reopening like those of Cuba, is wonderful,” he said.