The operator’s business development manager Alan Meadows said the decision not to resume the only non-stop flight to the island, announced in May, had affected the brand “massively”.
“For them to say they were flying three weeks prior to them pulling out affects us greatly; we’re still working through the amendments. A lot of people are moving towards Air Europa because the connection is very good, just two hours (in Madrid)”.
Live Cuba is also switching to KLM and Air France flights to Havana, connecting in Amsterdam or Paris. “We’re starting to post a lot more offers for regional departures to not be so reliant on the London area,” said Meadows, who added sales generally were “very good”.
Live Cuba’s new 92-page brochure features more than 70 all-inclusive resorts, hotels, boutique properties and casa particulare homestays. Seven brand-new properties are added and there are seven tours, including the new eight-day Charming West and Centre of Cuba private itineraries. An e-brochure will shortly go live.
Twin centres lead in at £1,600pp for 10 nights, including seven nights’ all-inclusive in Varadero and three in a homestay in Havana, with breakfast. Departure is on 22 November from Gatwick. The price also includes transfers, baggage, tourist cards and rep service.
Meadows added: "The brochure is just the first step in a range of marketing activities that we are doing to ramp up the awareness of holidaying in Cuba and put this beautiful country firmly back on the map, including fam trips for late 2022 and several events across the country.”
He added a brochure launch party would be held in London in September, with training evenings nationwide and point of sale material available to agents.
