SANTO DOMINGO – Tourism, one of the few remaining engines of the Cuban economy, is going through a critical period. The island received approximately 1.8 million visitors in 2025 , a drop of nearly 17.8% compared to 2024 , according to official data from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI). This figure is among the lowest in more than two decades—not counting the years of the pandemic—and reflects the decline of a key sector for foreign exchange earnings.
The decline has been widespread among the main source markets: visits from Cubans residing abroad fell by 22.6% , those from Germany by 50.5% , Russia by 29% , and Canada by 12.4% , confirming a downturn already being felt in tourism businesses and private accommodations. This result reinforces a downward trend that keeps the country far from the nearly 4.7 million tourists reached in 2018.
The oil factor and pressure from Washington
The situation became even more complex after the hardening of US policy toward the island. The measures implemented by the Trump have sought to limit Cuba's access to fuel and financing, further damaging an economy already facing blackouts, shortages of basic goods, and a deep recession.
Tensions escalated when Washington took actions that disrupted energy shipments from Venezuela—Havana's main fuel supplier—and threatened sanctions against countries that help meet that need. Without sufficient fuel, the impact extends to the entire tourism sector, from transportation to the operation of hotels and other services.
The sector itself acknowledges the magnitude of the moment. Specialists describe the situation as a “perfect storm,” the result of internal and external factors converging at the worst possible time for the country's economy.
Consult the official report on traveler arrivals to Cuba 2025:
New hotels, but with low occupancy
In an attempt to attract foreign currency, the government has invested in hotel infrastructure even amidst the crisis. One example is the opening in Havana of a , 594-room luxury hotel , while the national average occupancy rate barely exceeds 20% . This image encapsulates the contrast between the expansion of tourist facilities and the weakness of international demand.
Cuban authorities attribute part of the decline to US sanctions, which raise costs and hinder the import of goods needed to sustain the industry. Even so, tourism remains one of the pillars of the service sector, responsible for nearly 70% of the country's gross domestic product .
A Caribbean that is moving forward while Cuba is falling behind
The decline in tourism has made Cuba an exception in the region. While destinations like the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and other Caribbean islands are reporting record visitor numbers, the island is facing fewer flights, route cancellations, and an experience hampered by the energy crisis.
In addition, travel restrictions for U.S. citizens and stricter immigration policies have reduced movement, even among Cubans residing in the United States who are now hesitant to return temporarily.
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