The FCDO warns in an update to its travel advice issued on Wednesday evening (12 February) that transport and tourism operations – including flights – could be subject to temporary changes.

Anyone in the country is urged to check for messaging from their airline or tour operator, and to "carefully consider" whether being there is essential.

Cuba has been beset by fuel and energy shortages after the US moved to block fuel supplies to the country. Last week, the US embassy in Cuba warned Americans there to brace for fuel shortages, outages and potential protests.

'Tourism operations running normally'

However, late last week, Cuba's tourist office said the country was in a position to guarantee the safety and wellbeing of visitors, stressing "tourism operations are running normally".

It said the country's hotel infrastructure was "self-sufficient" and that the necessary fuel needed to keep them open had been secured, citing too how more than 50% of domestic energy need was being produced from Cuban oil and gas.

Extra power is coming from solar capacity hooked up to the grid as well as new back-up battery projects, and the tourist office has also insisted supplies of food for the coming season are guaranteed. "Air operations continue to run smoothly," it said.

Citing a ministry of tourism survey of operators, the tourist office said the general perception of the destination among visitors "has been significantly more positive than last year".

"Cuba continues to welcome visitors, offering its beautiful beaches and enchanting landscapes, its culture, history, warm climate, the hospitality of its people, and one of the highest safety ratings in Latin America," the tourist office added.

'Prepare for significant disruption'

The FCDO, though, has taken more of a dim view, warning primarily of "severe and worsening disruption to essential infrastructure, persistent nationwide power outages and fuel shortages". These conditions significantly affect the ability of visitors to access reliable transport, medical care, communications, and basic services," it said on Wednesday.

"Authorities have introduced fuel rationing, scaled back public services, and made temporary changes to healthcare, education, transport and tourism operations in order to conserve severely limited energy supplies."

On flights, the FCDO said: "Flight schedules are also being disrupted due to aviation fuel shortages, with some airlines reviewing routes or temporarily cancelling services, which risk visitors being unable to leave the country. Check for messaging from your airline or tour operator."

The FCDO adds: "If you are currently in Cuba, carefully consider if your presence is essential. Take precautions by conserving fuel, water, food and mobile phone charge, and be prepared for significant disruption."

'Your messages have raised our spirits'

Alan Meadows, founder of Simply Cuba, said the operator's first priority would be to assist customers in Cuba and ensure they can continue their holidays, and warned its phone lines would be "extremely busy".

The brand will then work in order of departure date to assist clients due to travel in the coming weeks. "We know clients will be concerned about their travel plans," he said, albeit while stressing visibility was limited to the next six to seven weeks.

Meadows added he wanted to thank the trade for their patience and kind words since the FCDO advisory was issued on Wednesday. "We have been inundated with calls, but I can honestly say the support shown by our travel agent partners has been simply amazing and very much appreciated by everyone at Simply Cuba," said Meadows.

"For those that have sent messages, we have read every one, and at a time when we needed a lift, it has raised our spirits. For those who have worked with us to re-protect your clients’ holidays with our sister brand Exotic Escapes, many thanks for being so supportive in booking alternative travel arrangements.

"Agents post on social media most weeks a special thanks to an operator that has gone out of their way to help, but on this occasion, we the operator want to extend our sincere thanks for all your support and lovely messages. Thank you so much."