Cuba Tourism Decline: 2025 Figures Show Market Slump

Cuba’s sun-drenched beaches and vibrant culture lie eerily quiet as the island faces its worst tourism collapse since 2005. New data from Cuba’s National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) reveals just 991,000 international visitors arrived during the first four months of 2025—a devastating 27% plunge compared to the same period last year. With hotel occupancy languishing at 24%, the crisis threatens to deepen Cuba’s economic turmoil.

Cuba’s Tourism Freefall: By the Numbers

The statistics paint a grim portrait of an industry in distress. Canada, traditionally Cuba’s largest tourism market, saw arrivals drop by over 30% this year. Russian visitors—once a growing segment—collapsed by 51%. European travelers from Germany, Spain, and France retreated en masse, while Latin American tourists failed to fill the void. Industry analysts confirm this is Cuba’s steepest decline in nearly two decades.

Hotel corridors echo with vacancy. Nationwide occupancy rates have crashed to 24%, meaning fewer than one in four rooms are filled during peak season. This translates to shuttered restaurants, idle tour buses, and unemployed workers across Havana, Varadero, and Trinidad. The downturn directly impacts Cuba’s fragile economy, as tourism historically provides vital foreign currency reserves.

Why Tourists Are Avoiding Cuba

Three interconnected crises drive the exodus. First, Cuba’s domestic economic meltdown has triggered rolling blackouts, fuel shortages, and sporadic food scarcity. Tourists report hotels cutting air conditioning, reducing meal services, and struggling with maintenance. As María Cortizas, a Spanish travel blogger who visited Havana in April, observed: “Hotels promise paradise but deliver cold showers and empty minibars.”

Second, tightened U.S. sanctions under the Biden administration have crippled investment and severed cruise ship routes. Major airlines like Air Canada and Sunwing slashed flight frequencies, while European carriers canceled routes altogether.

Third, Caribbean competitors capitalize on Cuba’s decline. The Dominican Republic welcomed 3.5 million tourists in Q1 2025—a 14% year-over-year increase. Mexico’s Cancún and Jamaica likewise report record arrivals. “Travelers choose destinations with reliable infrastructure,” explains Carlos Martínez, a Havana-based economist. “Cuba’s blackouts and shortages scare away sun-seekers.”

Government Strategy: Building on Shifting Sands

Despite the crisis, Cuba’s government pushes forward with ambitious hotel construction projects. Over 5,000 new rooms are slated for completion by 2026, primarily through partnerships with foreign investors like Spain’s Meliá and China’s Beijing Enterprise Group. Critics question this approach.

“Building empty hotels wastes resources Cuba doesn’t have,” argues Emilio Morales, president of The Havana Consulting Group. “They’re gambling on a rebound without fixing power grids or importing basic goods.” The government’s target of 2.6 million visitors for 2025 now appears unattainable—requiring a miraculous 162% surge in arrivals for the rest of the year.

Real-World Impacts Beyond Statistics

In Old Havana, street vendors like Lázaro González feel the sting. “Last year, I sold ten paintings a day. Now I’m lucky to sell two,” he says, gesturing to his deserted stall. Tour guides, taxi drivers, and paladar owners echo similar struggles.

The human cost extends beyond lost income. Reduced tourism revenue means fewer imports of medicine and food—goods Cuba historically funds through visitor dollars. The ONEI report confirms tourism earnings fell 38% in 2024, exacerbating inflation now exceeding 300%.

Cuba stands at a crossroads: Without urgent solutions to its energy crisis, shortages, and geopolitical isolation, its tourism industry—and the lifeline it provides—risks irreversible collapse. Travelers seeking Caribbean charm now flock elsewhere, leaving resorts empty and workers desperate. For Cuba to reclaim its place among top destinations, it must prioritize stability over expansion—before the last tourist leaves.

Must Know

Q: How bad is Cuba’s tourism decline historically?
A: This is Cuba’s sharpest drop since 2005. Visitor numbers haven’t been this low for April since 2004, and the 24% hotel occupancy rate is unprecedented outside pandemic lockdowns.

Q: Which countries have reduced travel to Cuba most significantly?
A: Canadian arrivals fell over 30%, while Russian tourists plummeted 51%. European markets like Germany (-28%), Spain (-25%), and France (-22%) also retreated sharply.

Q: Why are tourists choosing other Caribbean destinations?
A: Neighboring countries offer reliable electricity, consistent food supplies, and fewer political complications. The Dominican Republic and Mexico also invest heavily in modern infrastructure and marketing.

Q: How does U.S. policy affect Cuban tourism?
A: Sanctions block cruise ships and complicate financial transactions. Though U.S. citizens can visit under “support for the Cuban people” visas, flight reductions and paperwork deter many.

Q: Is Cuba still building new hotels despite the crisis?
A: Yes. Over 5,000 new rooms are under construction. Experts argue resources should instead address blackouts and shortages repelling tourists.

Q: Can Cuba recover its tourism industry?
A: Recovery requires solving power grids, import shortages, and geopolitical challenges. Without these, the 2025 visitor target of 2.6 million is unachievable.