The small Cuban resort known as Marea del Portillo has long been one of the biggest employers and economic drivers in the Pilón region. When it closed in early 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people found themselves abruptly unemployed – and they haven't been able to work since, even though the tourism industry is recovering elsewhere! This area remains very economically disadvantaged and people are struggling to make ends meet; there are simply not many job opportunities that are unrelated to tourism.

Despite the historic significance and scenic beauty of that part of Cuba, Marea del Portillo is the Granma province's only resort, and it had a solid rate of repeat business, mainly due to Canadian tourists. The resort had been exclusively serviced by Sunwing, the only international airline using the province's airport at Manzanillo de Cuba. When COVID abated and travel restrictions were lifted, Sunwing soon began offering flights to Manzanillo and holiday packages at Marea del Portillo. However, they also began routinely cancelling the bookings. The resort and airport have remained closed. Due to the repeated cancellations, people have lost confidence in Sunwing and are now reluctant to book with them. 

It seems to have become a vicious cycle – if there aren't enough bookings, Sunwing won't fly there; people no longer feel they can trust Sunwing, so they want to wait until the resort opens before booking; the resort seems unable to open without the critical mass of tourists that a flight would deliver. What can be done? Press Sunwing to either give up its exclusive right to service Marea del Portillo, Manzanillo de Cuba, or begin properly serving this resort. In other words: Open this resort and provide flights, Sunwing, or let some other company do it! The continued closure of this resort could be the economic death knell for this region.