Miami, United States. – The tourism sector on the island closed 2024 with 2.2 million international travelers, which represents a decrease of 9.6% compared to the previous year and the worst figure in 17 years (not counting the period of The Covid-19 Pandemia), according to data released on Tuesday by the National Office of Information and Statistics (Onei) and cited by the EFE agency.
This result is well below the initial objectives of the Government, which projected 3.2 million foreign travelers and then reviewed that goal at 2.7 million.
Among the main issuing countries are Canada, which contributed 860,877 visitors, and Russia (185,816). The list is completed by the United States (142,450), Germany (65,487), Spain (65,054) and Mexico (62,839). Of the nine issuing markets with greater volume, only Russia and Mexico showed slight growth compared to 2023.
One of the most striking data is 17.8 % reduction in visits of Cubans residing abroad. The official report details that international arrivals, after starting 2024 with figures similar to those of the previous year, were progressively slowed over the months.
The Onei emphasizes that the weakness of tourism in Cuba, for years one of the fundamental engines of the national economy, is related to the serious economic and energy crisis suffered by the country and with the US sanctions. Among these restrictions is Washington’s refusal to grant rapid visas (this) to whom they have visited the island in the last decade.
Even so, tourism remains strategic for the stabilization plans of the Cuban government, since its contribution to GDP and the collection of currencies are traditionally located only behind professional services and remittances. However, the 2.2 million arrivals from 2024 are far from the 4.2 million reached in 2019 or the 4.6 million recorded in 2018, before the pandemic.
According to EFE, “you have to go back to 2007 in the ONEI records to find annual figures below 2024 (excluding the 2020-2022 period due to the negative influence on the international tourism of Pandemia).”
Meanwhile, the current scenario of Cuba contrasts with that of other Caribbean destinations such as Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) and Cancun (Mexico), which have recovered and even exceed their levels prior to the health crisis.
