Meadows, Live Cuba’s business development manager, said the past few years had been "the most difficult" in his near 30-year career in travel, with Live Cuba itself born out of the collapse of Cuba Holidays parent The Holiday Place in 2019.
Posting to Facebook on Friday (7 October), four days after the collapse of Live Holidays, Meadows urged the travel industry to continue supporting Cuba, with the country in desperate need of its tourism revenue.
He also paid tribute to the way in which the operator’s agents partners had handled the situation this week, as well as rival operators for stepping in to save people’s holidays and rebook clients. Captivating Cuba this week said it was working with the CAA to assist customers of Live Cuba.
"We are all heartbroken a brand like Live Cuba has gone, a brand that received amazing agent feedback for levels of service and knowledge of Cuba as a destination," said Meadows. "Both me and the team are still in shock that what we built up over the past three-and-a-half years is no longer.
"Firstly, a massive thank you to all the agents that have sent messages of support – it has been very much appreciated by me Elio [Cruz] and the Live Cuba team.
"Secondly, we are sorry for the extra workload we have given you all in sorting out future bookings via Atol, and that we could not answer phone lines or emails in the lead up to the announcement. There are processes that must be followed, and these will need to continue over the coming days.
"I would like to thank other operators who have come to assist in rebooking our clients."
Meadows said the Live Cuba team contemplate their future, he also wanted to wish the team at Adriatic Holidays – which also collapsed this week – the best of luck finding new employment.
"It is obvious these past years have been the most difficult I have experienced in my 27 years in an industry that I love," Meadows continued. Addressing the agent community directly, he said: "I know how hard agents like yourselves have worked and struggled to get through these challenging times and I can only wish you the very best in going forward with your businesses. Sorry that we have had to announce this news."
He signed off with a plea to the rest of the travel sector to get behind Cuba, which has faced numerous challenges in recent years – most recently the passage of Hurricane Ian, which caused devastation in western areas of the island nation.
"Cuba as a destination will always have a place in my heart and what Cuba needs at this moment is tourism," said Meadows. "I hope that you will continue to support this amazing country and keep it in the forefront of your minds when thinking of future bookings for your clients.
"Thank you for all your amazing support, thank you to everyone who has contacted us, given recommendations on social media, posted offers and have been a part of the journey, we will miss working with you."
