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

Canonical-URL: https://turismo.news/en/digest/escarrer-cuba-uncertainty-hotels
Text-Version: https://turismo.news/en/digest/escarrer-cuba-uncertainty-hotels.txt
Markdown-Version: https://turismo.news/en/digest/escarrer-cuba-uncertainty-hotels.md
Language: en
Published: 2026-07-13T14:31:35.151Z
Modified: 2026-07-13T14:31:35.151Z
Author: Joan Sanz
Topics: Hotels
Summary: Gabriel Escarrer, CEO of Meliá, admits the greatest uncertainty in years about the future of the hotel business in Cuba. What does it mean for the Dominican Republic?

## Article

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](https://www.arecoa.com/hoteles/2026/07/13/escarrer-sobre-cuba-la-verdad-es-que-no-sabemos-que-va-a-pasar/), 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 Cana, Bávaro, La Romana, and Puerto Plata**, 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.

## Sources

- Arecoa: https://www.arecoa.com/hoteles/2026/07/13/escarrer-sobre-cuba-la-verdad-es-que-no-sabemos-que-va-a-pasar/

## Citation

Escarrer: "We don't know what will happen with Cuba". Turismo News. 2026-07-13. https://turismo.news/en/digest/escarrer-cuba-uncertainty-hotels