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Lorri Krebs
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Dr. Lorri Krebs, Professor and Chair of the Department of Geography & Sustainability at Salem State University, was recently quoted in the Dutch publication Resonans in an international news article examining airline service disruptions caused by Cuba’s deepening fuel crisis. The piece, “Airlines stop flying into Cuba as the nation’s fuel crisis worsens,” explores how severe jet fuel shortages — driven by supply constraints and geopolitical pressures — have prompted major carriers including Air Canada, WestJet, and Air Transat to suspend flights to Cuban destinations.
In the article, Dr. Krebs provides expert analysis on the broader implications for Cuba’s tourism-dependent economy. She notes that Canada consistently represents Cuba’s largest source of international visitors, accounting for a significant share of inbound arrivals and serving as a critical source of foreign currency. While Cuba has long been a popular destination for resort and cultural tourism, Dr. Krebs emphasizes that visitor numbers remain well below pre-pandemic levels, reflecting ongoing structural challenges tied to energy reliability and limited air connectivity.
She further explains that airline suspensions will reverberate far beyond the aviation sector, affecting hotels, ground transportation, tour operators, and the livelihoods of workers whose incomes depend on international tourism. The situation underscores the deep interconnection between energy infrastructure, geopolitical dynamics, and economic resilience.
Dr. Krebs’ commentary highlights how global energy disruptions and policy decisions reshape tourism markets and mobility patterns — central themes in her research and teaching in geography and sustainability.