Turismo News July 13, 2026
HotelsPublished July 13, 20261 min read

Escarrer: "We don't know what will happen with Cuba"

JSBy Joan SanzCurated by Joan Sanz. · July 13, 2026 · Follow on LinkedIn
Voice reading · ~1 min

The chairman of Meliá Hotels International, Gabriel Escarrer Jaume, put it bluntly: "The truth is we don't know what's going to happen." The quote, reported by Arecoa, perfectly captures the waiting game the hotel industry is playing with Cuba. And keep in mind, Meliá is the largest foreign operator on the island. If they can't see the horizon, it's not a good sign.

But here's my take: this is a clear win for the Dominican Republic. When a big destination like Cuba goes into pause mode, travelers shopping the Caribbean have to look elsewhere. And that elsewhere, with the offerings in Punta CanaPunta CanaThe main tourism hub of the Dominican Republic, on the eastern tip, famous for white-sand beaches, all-inclusive resorts and its own international airport., BávaroBávaroA beach area next to Punta Cana with one of the Caribbean's largest hotel clusters and a long white-sand shoreline., La Romana, and Puerto PlataPuerto PlataA north-coast city and province, birthplace of Dominican tourism, home to the cable car up Mount Isabel de Torres, Victorian architecture and the Amber Cove cruise port., is hard to beat. Tour operators are already telling us inquiries about the DR spike whenever there's noise about Cuba.

Here's my opinion: while Havana doesn't clarify its game, the Dominican Republic has a window of opportunity it can't afford to miss. Investment in hotel capacity, air connectivity, and aggressive promotion. Those who snooze will lose. And we're ready to jump on board.

Quick questions

What did Gabriel Escarrer say about Cuba?
Meliá's CEO stated that "the truth is we don't know what will happen" in Cuba, reflecting the greatest uncertainty in years for the hotel industry on the island.
Why is Escarrer's opinion important?
Because Meliá Hotels International is the largest foreign hotel operator in Cuba. If its chairman admits there are no certainties, the rest of the sector feels the same.
How does this benefit the Dominican Republic?
With Cuba on hold, travelers and tour operators are seeking reliable Caribbean alternatives. The DR, with its consolidated offering in Punta Cana and Puerto Plata, is the natural substitute.
What should Dominican tourism do now?
Seize the window by investing in hotel infrastructure, improving air connectivity, and launching aggressive marketing to capture tourists who are ruling out Cuba.
Will Meliá invest heavily in Cuba again?
Nobody knows right now. Escarrer's statement suggests the company is in wait-and-see mode until the political and economic context becomes clearer.

Was this article useful?

Enjoyed this? Share Turismo News

X LinkedIn WhatsApp

The daily brief

The Dominican tourism brief, in your inbox

Hotels, airlines, MITUR, cruises and destinations. One sharp email a day. Free.

The brief Dominican travel professionals read every morning.

Editorial content by Turismo News. It may contain errors. Verify anything important with the original source.

This article may mention third-party products, companies or services for informational purposes. Turismo News does not endorse them and is not responsible for them or for what they offer. Editorial content curated by the Turismo News team.

← Back to Turismo News

Turismo News is an independent digest. It is not the official site of any brand mentioned. Content is editorial and curated, and may contain errors. Verify anything important with the original source. This is not financial, legal or investment advice. Some links or blocks may be sponsored or affiliate. Trademarks belong to their owners. You can unsubscribe at any time with one click, and you can request access or deletion of your data at turismo.news/contact.

⚙ Admin