Once winter arrives, Havana awaits the return of tourists from Russia

Havana and Moscow confirmed that they are working to restore Tourist trips From Eurasian country to Cuba from next winter. The Cuban authorities do not hide their concerns about the return of vacationers from the main issue market, which was closed after last February, the West vetoed flights from the country. Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine.

According to statements from Cuban Ambassador in Moscow, Julio Garmendiafor the Russian newspaper IzvestiaAnd the The authorities of the two countries, close political allies, “maintain an analysis of the objective conditions for the restoration of commercial flights between the two countries in the shortest possible time.”

This was confirmed by the Cuban official “Efforts will likely be made in the fall to determine what measures need to be taken in order to restore some flights in the winter.”

“We know that the Russians are eager to return on vacation to Cuba, and the Cubans are waiting for them with all their hospitality,” the diplomat said.

Garmendia Until Russian tourism was the first market for the Cuban entertainment industry “Today, it constitutes an important market for economic recovery,” he stressed.

however, The memo did not indicate how both countries intend to restore their air links. Direct contacts between Russia and Cuba are currently suspended. You can travel to the island from that country by stopping in Istanbul, Turkey, and paying tickets worth 250,000 rubles ($4,210) per passenger.

Havana’s ambassador to Moscow also said that since 2021 Moscow and Havana have been working to implement the MIR payment system on the island.Who uses magnetic cards issued by Russian banks.

“The first phase of work is nearing completion, the aim of which is to connect the payment systems of both countries. This phase focused on the use of MIR cards at the island’s ATMs, and could be extended across the country,” the ambassador said.

Garmendia stressed that this step will be an advantage for the thousands of Russian visitors that Havana wants to receive. “It is expected that by the end of this year it will be possible to use these cards on Cuban soil.”Certain.

Although more than 140,000 Russian tourists visited Cuba in 2021, flights were suspended after the invasion of Ukraine due to Western sanctions against Moscow that paralyzed transportation.

Similarly, the most important Russian banks were separated from the international SWIFT system, which connects global banking institutions to issue payments, and entities such as Visa and Mastercard left that country. Therefore, Moscow is trying to expand its financial network to its remaining allies in the world.

Nowadays, MIRs are accepted as payment only in Turkey, Vietnam and six former Soviet republics. Moscow wants to take them, with the exception of Cuba, to Venezuela as well.