Melia Hotels International will cease operation of 15 hotels in Cuba due to worsening geopolitical, social, legal and economic conditions on the island.
“The impact of this decision is limited, as the vast majority of these hotels are currently closed and not in operation due to the energy challenges and the decline in demand,” said the hotel group.
Airlines cancel flights
Spanish airline, Iberia has cancelled flights between Madrid and Havana until November, due to decreased demand and fuel shortages.
The announcement follows a similar decision by several other airlines including Air France and Turkish Airlines.
Card payments suspended
Cuba suspended Visa and MasterCard transactions on June 6 following an executive order from the US on May 1 that expanded sanctions on commerce with Cuba.
As a result, Cuba can no longer receive payments for goods and services made using international cards such as Visa and MasterCard, according to the Central Bank of Cuba.
The approved payment methods for foreign currency transactions in the country are now cash, national prepaid cards (Classic and Tropical) and Mir and Union pay International Cards.
