Tourism in Cuba has all but disappeared, as hotels close and airlines cancel routes because of fuel shortages. Photo by Ernesto Mastrascusa/EPA
June 3 (UPI) -- Spanish hotel operator Meliá Hotels International said Wednesday it will stop managing 15 hotels linked to Cuba's military-run conglomerate GAESA, expanding the withdrawal of foreign operators from the island just days before new U.S. sanctions take effect.
The decision makes Meliá the fourth international hotel company to reduce or end operations in Cuba in less than a week, following the departures announced by Blue Diamond, Iberostar and Archipelago International under its Aston brand.
Meliá informed Spain's National Securities Market Commission that its Portuguese subsidiary, Ilha Bela, will immediately terminate management, marketing and brand-use services at hotels associated with entities controlled by GAESA, according to Forbes España.
The company said the economic impact will be limited because many of the affected properties already were closed or only partially open.
