Cuba received 184,833 international visitors in January, 5.9% less than in the same month of 2025, the worst figure for the tourism on the island in at least 13 years, not counting the COVID-19 period.
This sector, essential for the depressed Cuban economy, was already in crisis in the previous year, when the worst figures in two decades were recorded except for the pandemic. However, geopolitical instability in the Caribbean in January has dealt it a new blow.
The numbers for the first month of 2026 show contrasts. While the figures of some markets increased in the year-on-year comparison, those of others – and the general sum – exhibited declines, according to data from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI).
The number of visitors from the two largest sending countries, Canada and Russia, rose by 12 and 31%, respectively, to 99,727 and 15,688 tourists. Travelers from Argentina (7,336) and China (3,460) also increased.
However, most markets experienced drops, some of a marked nature, as is the case of the Cuban community abroad, which fell by more than 40%, to 12,574 travelers; and the Americans, who lost 50.1%, up to 6,997.
The figures for Mexico (7.2%), Colombia (17.9%), Spain (22.2%) and France (35.6%) also suffered a decrease.
Fall of the Cuban community
In the case of the Cuban community abroad, economist Pedro Monreal considered its decline as “the most striking thing about Cuba’s tourism data in January 2026.”
“Not only was it reduced by 40.2% compared to January 2025, but it also registered the second lowest level for a month of January in the 2020-2026 period,” commented on their networks.
For the independent analyst, who usually follows the economic performance of the island, it can be explained by several factors. Among these he listed “concerns about the more restrictive immigration policy in the United States,” and “the logistical complications of the trip and emotional exhaustion due to the worsening of the internal crisis” in Cuba.
“Alternatives for family gatherings (for example, the Dominican Republic) and the increased cost of travel could also influence.” he added.
In the expert’s opinion, despite the fall in the sector at the beginning of the year, “the worst is yet to come.”
“Compared to January, February 2026 could be the worst month for international tourism in decades,” Monreal predicted.
“The US oil blockade against Cuba takes tourist activity in general and the trips of the Cuban community in particular out of their usual logic and dynamics to displace them towards a harmful context of geopolitical conflict: anti-tourism in its purest form,” finished off.
2/5 The collapse of visitors to the Cuban community – traditionally the second largest source of visitors – occurred within the framework of the third worst record of total visitors of all issuers in the last 13 years for the month of January pic.twitter.com/YzAsLUkKm8
— Pedro Monreal (@pmmonreal) February 23, 2026
Daunting prospects
Monreal’s opinion is shared by other analysts and international media.
In a report on the subject, the agency EFE considered that the prospects for the coming months, in the middle of the high season, are not promising due to the effects on the island of the US oil siege. This is a measure that the United Nations Human Rights Office has considered contrary to international law, the media notes.
In recent weeks, all Canadian and Russian airlines announced that they were temporarily stopping flights to Cuba due to lack of fuel and several countries have recommended their citizens not to travel to the island at all or to do so with extreme caution, he recalls. EFE.
The uncertainty about the evolution of geopolitical tensions between Washington and Havana, and the accumulated consequences of the lack of fuel on the island also have a negative impact on the prospects for tourism in Cuba.
The Caribbean country registered just over 1.8 million foreign visitors in 2025, compared to the government goal of 2.6 million. In 2024 there had been 2.2 million and in 2023, 2.4 million, according to official data.
Cuba loses its main source of tourists after the suspension of flights from Canada
Recoil factors
The weakness of the Cuban tourism sector, an economic engine for years, has as its main factors the serious economic and energy crisis suffered by the country – which has an impact on services and experience -, the cutting of air routes and US sanctions.
Tourism is fundamental to the economic recovery plans of the Cuban Government, due to its contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) and the inflow of foreign currency it represents, which is usually among the most important, along with professional services and remittances.
The figures are far from the highs recorded in 2018 (4.6 million) and in 2019 (4.2 million), record numbers linked to the “thaw” of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba in those years and the elimination of Washington’s restrictions on travel to the island.
Currently, the tourism situation in Cuba contrasts with that of similar destinations in the Caribbean region, such as Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) and Cancún (Mexico), which have registered historic highs in visitors after the pandemic.
EFE / OnCuba
