Marc Frank, Nelson Acosta

HAVANA, Reuters – Cuba is opening its borders to allow more people to enter the country next month. It has vaccinated most citizens with COVID-19 drug from Cuba. This will enable it to receive back tourists and give a boost to its ailing tourism industry.

The pandemic caused severe disruptions to travel, including a reduction in flights from Cuba and an ex-ban on U.S. citizens traveling to Cuba. These restrictions have left the country behind other regional countries like the Dominican Republic (PR), Puerto Rico, Cancun and Cancun.

Cuba will require that visitors have proof of vaccination, or a recent, valid PCR, to enter Cuba as of Nov. 15. These are replacing the old protocols, which included a quarantine and multiple PCR tests.

A fully vaccinated population will prove a key selling point for an island already well-regarded for its safety, beaches and turquoise waters, said Francisco Camps, who supervises Spanish firm Sol Melia’s 32 hotels in Cuba.

His statement stated, “Cuba will become one of most secure sanitary destinations” and that the goal was to reach similar visitations in 2019 within the next year.

Cuba’s domestic vaccines are being reviewed by the World Health Organization. The majority of trial data is still to be peer reviewed.

A Reuters analysis of public data shows that Cuba is the most vaccinated country among those with over 1,000,000 inhabitants.

According to the government, this pace has been paying off with COVID-19 deaths and cases falling by at least 80% from their peak in mid-summer. Minimum 90% have received one dose of any of three home-grown vaccines.

Juan Carlos Garcia, the Tourism Minister said that this month was a “favorable moment” as he stated, “We begin to recover customs. To be able to see relatives and go to vacation. As well as improving economic activity.

Pandemic caused the closure of schools and entertainment venues, as well as restaurants. It also reduced the vital tourism sector to a near zero level. This led to the freezing of foreign travel by Cubans to Cuba and the return visits from Cubans who live abroad to Cuba. The result was an economic crisis which left many residents without food or medicine.

Cuba hosted more than four millions tourists in 2019 and contributed 10.6 per cent to the gross domestic product.

Minister Garcia explained that this year only 200 000 guests arrived, while another 100k are anticipated.

Ricardo Torres (Cuban economist) said that this number represents a 92% decrease in tourism over 2019, compared to 2019.

Torres from American University, Washington said that “So we’re talking about next year…which generates knock-on effects and so is decisive for economic recovery.”

Trade with Cuba is severely restricted by the U.S. embargo. The country relies heavily on the flow of basic goods and foreign currency that Cuban diaspora and travelers bring to Cuba.

Although there is optimism that tourist will resume, officials warn that the economic recovery won’t be as quick as initially believed. This was due to a drop of 10.9% in tourism last year and an additional 2% from June.

Varadero Beach Resort is currently partially open for business, as well as for residents of the country.

The colonial area of Havana is gradually regaining its life after a 19 month hiatus.

Ernesto Alejandro Labrada (owner of Antojos restaurant), said that Old Havana was sad because it had never seen tourists. Now, the place is crowded with Cubans who are enjoying their meal, before they return.