HAVANA TIMES – Cuba’s leading sun-and-beach destination is facing a sharp decline in visitors, hotel closures, the energy crisis, and the loss of purchasing power among Cubans. Melia announced in June that it was ending operations at 15 Cuban hotels, including Paradisus Varadero and Melia Peninsula Varadero. The difference compared with foreign tourists is significant: an international visitor can decide not to travel to Cuba; a Cuban may want to travel to Varadero but simply have no way to get there or be unable to afford it.