Meliá Hotels International, the Spanish hospitality group, has announced the immediate cessation of management and commercialisation services, as well as the licensing of its hotel brands, across 15 hotels in Cuba, citing evolving geopolitical, social, legal and economic conditions in the country.
The decision, which was initially communicated to the respective hotel ownership entities on May 26 and formally confirmed now, follows the company’s ongoing risk assessment process and reflects what it described as the need to ensure an orderly and sustainable operational framework.
According to Meliá, the move has been driven by a combination of external factors beyond the company’s control that have materially impacted the operational, legal and security conditions required for the effective delivery of services.
In a statement, the company said the measure had been adopted “under a strong commitment to responsible business conduct” and was aimed at ensuring operations remain aligned with the company’s standards and responsibilities.
The hotels affected by the decision include Gran Hotel Bristol Habana Vieja Member of The Meliá Collection, INNSiDE Catedral Habana, Meliá Buena Vista, Meliá Cayo Santa María, Meliá Jardines del Rey, Meliá Las Dunas, Meliá Península Varadero, Paradisus Los Cayos, Paradisus Princesa Mar, Paradisus Río de Oro, Paradisus Varadero, Sol Caribe Beach, Sol Cayo Santa María, Sol Río de Luna y Mares and Sol Varadero Beach.
The company noted that the overall impact is expected to be limited, as the majority of the affected hotels are currently non-operational due to ongoing energy constraints and weakened tourism demand in the Cuban market.
“Meliá Hotels International reiterates its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of operational integrity and will continue to closely monitor the situation to reassess its future position in the destination,” the company stated.
Meliá added that it is implementing specific action plans to ensure an orderly and structured disengagement process. At the same time, communication protocols are being activated to provide transparent and timely information to suppliers, business partners and customers.
The company also expressed its appreciation to stakeholders for their understanding and continued trust, while indicating that it would continue monitoring developments in Cuba to evaluate any future opportunities in the market.
