Madrid/Although the Minister of Tourism, Juan Carlos García Granda, had already left expectations low, the reality has been even worse than expected. Cuba has closed the year with only 1,810,663 international visitorsfar from the 1.9 million predicted in Parliament in mid-December and even worse when compared to what was planned a year ago. The forecast then was 2.6 million, 30.3% more than what was finally achieved.
The information was released this Sunday, with the latest report from the National Office of Statistics and Information (Onei), corresponding to the end of the year. The catastrophe is stratospheric, since in December, traditionally one of the best months – along with January – only 180,944 people traveled to the Island. If you look retrospectivelythere were only two worse Decembers: 2020 and 2021, the worst of the covid pandemic.
If compared to the data from a decade ago, the loss of tourists exceeded 50%, since in December 2015 383,342 visited Cuba. Although the figure is worse if the reference is 2017, the best year for the sector on the Island. That time there were 551,371 international travelers who chose the country in the last month of the year, 67% more than now.
If compared to the data from a decade ago, the loss of tourists exceeded 50%, since in December 2015 383,342 visited Cuba.
The data shows what Cubans have been doing for months living in the flesh. Empty hotels, cafes and restaurants without public and private businesses without customers have been sounding the alarm for some time and with the certainty that it is absolutely impossible for the outlook to improve in the short term. In just the last few days there were three countries that updated their travel alerts to Cuba.
Ukraine did it this Sunday, which it published on the Facebook account from its Embassy in Cuba a message asking their compatriots to avoid going to the Island. “We warn that the economic situation in the Republic of Cuba has deteriorated drastically. In this context, the security situation could also worsen. Therefore, we strongly request that, if possible, you refrain from visiting Cuba in the short term. We will inform you in a timely manner about the evolution of the situation,” warns the message, which continues with some recommendations for those who, despite this, persist in their decision.
Something similar has been pointed out by UK Foreign Officewhich highlights the eternal power outages – with interruptions lasting more than 24 hours – and their repercussions on water or telecommunications. Furthermore, the fuel shortage – with negative prospects after learning of the US’s intention to sanction any country that supplies it – puts, they say, hotels and tourist centers at logistical risk, which make up for the shortages with generators that it is not very clear how they can be powered if things continue like this.
English tourism had already been lost in recent years at an alarming rate. So much so that it no longer even appears in the monthly summaries of Onei, where the main issuers are highlighted. However, a country that has been leaving positive balances of travelers for just over a year is Argentina, which has increased by 13.6% compared to last year.
The South American country – along with Colombia (+8%), the only one that improved – has managed to position itself as the sixth issuing market, ahead of Spain, but this Friday the Government published a “consular alert” that could affect the situation. “Given the deterioration of living conditions in Cuba, Argentine citizens are recommended to avoid or postpone tourist trips to the island. It is suggested that those currently residing in that country remain attentive to the evolution of the situation. There are fuel shortages, even in tourist areas, prolonged interruptions of the electricity supply, problems in access to running water and shortages of food and medicine,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Canada It also updated its notices precisely this Monday. The Island is still in the yellow level (second of the five that exist, although until October 2023 it had historically maintained the green level), but this change varies the reason, which in recent months had been health due to the arbovirus epidemic and now it is fully economic again. “Be very cautious,” it warns, with bold font. “Be very cautious in Cuba due to shortages of basic needs, including food, water, medicine, electricity and fuel, which may also affect tourist centers.”
“Be very cautious in Cuba due to the shortage of basic needs, including food, water, medicine, electricity and fuel, which can also affect tourist centers”
All in all, Canadian tourism has improved slightly in recent months, but continues to record considerable losses compared to the past. The first historical source of travelers to the Island closed 2025 with 754,010, 12.4% less than the previous year and a drama if the 1.3 million of 2015 is taken as a reference. The case is relatively similar to that of Russia, where an enormous publicity was made to achieve 200,000 travelers after the success of recent years and which has remained at a very poor number: 131,882, 29% less than in 2024.
All in all, hotel companies have relatively reduced prices in recent times, but it is still more profitable to travel to other destinations, such as the Riviera Maya, in absolute terms, and the Dominican Republic, in relative terms. If you consult the travel page of the Spanish tour operator Iberojet, a trip from February 9 to 16 with a flight and all-inclusive hotel on the beaches of the Mexican Caribbean costs about 2,221 euros, while a trip to Varadero on the same date and conditions rises to 3,052. It is more expensive to go – with the same type of search – to Punta Cana: 3,930 euros. But there is no doubt that, at least, there will be light.
