The Spanish hotel chain Meliá Hotels International celebrates its 35th anniversary in Cuba, highlighting its collaboration with the regime authorities and the local population.
However, this celebration is overshadowed by criticisms pointing to the opacity of its association with the Cuban regime, the use of poorly paid labor, and suspicions of corruption.
The inauguration of the Sol Palmeras hotel in Varadero on May 10, 1990, with the presence of the dictator Fidel Castro, marked the beginning of Meliá's involvement in the Cuban tourism industry.
This event symbolized the country's opening to foreign capital in the tourism sector, at a time when the Cuban economy was facing the so-called "special period," an era of crisis marked by significant challenges brought on by the collapse of the "socialist bloc" and the end of subsidies from the Soviet Union.
Since then, Meliá has been expanding its presence on the island, operating numerous hotels under management contracts with the Cuban government. These agreements have faced criticism due to the lack of transparency and the working conditions imposed on Cuban workers.
Employees receive their salaries in Cuban pesos, while Meliá pays the State in dollars for its services, which has led to allegations of labor exploitation and improper enrichment by the authorities.
Additionally, the alliance between Meliá and the Cuban regime has been questioned by Cuban civil society due to its possible involvement in corrupt practices. The lack of clear information regarding the terms of the contracts and the distribution of profits has fueled suspicions about the integrity of these operations.
Despite these controversies, Meliá continues to promote its commitment to the development of tourism in Cuba, a sector controlled by the Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A. (GAESA), under the control of the military and bureaucratic elite of the regime.
During the International Tourism Fair (FITCuba) 2025 taking place these days, the president of the chain, Gabriel Escarrer Juliá, expressed his confidence in the future of the Cuban tourism industry and reaffirmed Meliá's intention to continue investing in the country.
However, this optimistic view contrasts with the economic reality of Cuba. The country is facing one of the worst economic crises in its recent history, with a significant drop in the number of tourists and deteriorating basic infrastructure. Nevertheless, the government continues to prioritize investments in the hotel sector, at the expense of essential areas such as health, education, and food.
Economists and analysts are questioning this strategy, arguing that the focus on tourism has not proven effective in the post-pandemic economic recovery. Moreover, they point out that the insistence on building luxury hotels while the population faces power outages, food shortages, and the collapse of basic services reflects a disconnect between government policies and the real needs of the Cuban people.
In this context, Meliá's celebration of its 35 years in Cuba highlights the tensions between business interests and the socioeconomic conditions of the country. While the hotel chain emphasizes its role in the development of Cuban tourism, criticisms regarding its alliance with the regime and the working conditions of its employees raise questions about the ethics and sustainability of its presence on the island.
The current situation invites a deep reflection on the tourism development model in Cuba and the role of foreign companies in an environment marked by a lack of transparency, labor exploitation, and the economic crisis.
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