PALMA DE MALLORCA — IBEROSTAR Cuba reports that in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma all the company’s hotels in Havana, Varadero, Trinidad and Santiago de Cuba are once again fully operational, while the chain’s hotels in Los Cayos, the region most severely affected by the storm on the island, will be reopening for business on Nov. 1.

The IBEROSTAR Ensenachos, IBEROSTAR Daiquiri and IBEROSTAR Playa Pilar hotels will be reopening for business on Nov. 1 following a series of improvements to their facilities.

The IBEROSTAR Mojito is set to open on Nov. 15.

“Despite the recent severe weather conditions, this destination has now recovered and is operating at its full potential. The Cuban authorities have expressed their confidence that the high season, which regularly runs between November and April, will once again produce excellent results,” says the company.

More than a month after Hurricane Irma, which hit the island’s northeast coast particularly hard, and thanks to the support and ongoing, coordinated work of the Cuban authorities to get the destination back to normal, the country’s occupancy forecasts remain unchanged, adds Iberostar.

“Cuba has always been a key destination in our portfolio and a firm favourite with our guests from around the world,” says Aurelio Vázquez, Chief Operating Officer for IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts.

He adds that as part of its expansion plan for the island, Iberostar will be increasing its portfolio to a total of 20 hotels by the end of 2017, and has set a target of 12,000 rooms by 2020. “We are determined to continue channelling our efforts into this destination and are eager to boost our presence in the country, bringing the number of rooms we offer up to 12,000 by 2020.”