Expedia announces a strong increase in demand for accommodations in Cuba

Expedia Group, the global travel platform, reports an increase in the demand for Cuban accommodations. Since the company began to interact with hotel partners in Cuba, local hoteliers have made available accommodation through the global online sites of Expedia Group ™ that has allowed authorized travelers around the world to book accommodations throughout the island .

Since May 2017, Expedia Group has seen an increased demand for accommodation in Cuba, specifically in June 2018 compared to June 2017. During that stage, Expedia Group reports a growth in the demand of all Cuban destinations. The good results in Havana, Varadero and western Cuba have contributed to the rapid growth of demand throughout Cuba.

While the travel industry has been one of Cuba's most important economic contributors for decades, Expedia Group has enabled global travelers access through a greater number of properties throughout the island. Whether it's an individual or chain accommodation, Expedia Group reports that four and three-star properties received 45 percent of the demand during June 2018.

"Cuba offers a unique combination of history, culture and some of the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the Caribbean. We are convinced of the potential of the island and we are proud of our contribution to the country, "said Rafael del Castillo, senior director for Mexico and the Caribbean, Expedia Group.

Expedia Group continues to increase the number of hosting partners with whom it works on the island and working closely with these partners to drive sales and help meet their marketing objectives. This increase in the number of accommodation partners on the island opens a wider variety of hotels that authorized travelers can choose for their vacations in Cuba.

"Expedia Group has had a great impact on our brand. For Be Live hotels in Cuba, which have seven properties in Havana and Varadero, we have taken advantage of the company's technological offer, as well as the numerous analytical tools that have helped us develop our sales strategies more effectively, " I affirm Be Live hotels. "The global reach of the company has been one of the biggest differentiators for us, as it has brought more variety of guests from around the world. Our presence in those markets has been paramount for our good results since Expedia Group started working with properties in Cuba. "

Of the tourists traveling to Cuba, Expedia Group reports that, during June of 2018, almost 50 percent of the demand came from the United States, and more than five percent from Mexico and the United Kingdom. In addition, the main issuing markets to Cuba during April, May and June 2018 were the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Canada and Mexico. Expedia Group also reports an increase in demand to Cuba during August 2017 and February and March 2018 - confirming the great popularity of the Caribbean during these months of winter and summer.

Other insights reported by Expedia Group include the advance with which travelers booked their trip to Cuba, an important knowledge that hoteliers must have to design their sales offer aimed at specific travelers. The average reserve windows in Cuba as of June 2018 per point of sale were:

United Kingdom: 48 days
Mexico: 32 days
United States: 28 days
Canada: 22 days
Germany: 22 days

Expedia Group also reported almost 360 percent growth in demand for mobile device reservations from the United States to Cuba during June 2018 compared to June 2017. The average reservation window for mobile reservations from the United States was 15 days, highlighting the importance of effectively promoting last minute sales and offers on the Expedia Group websites.