MIAMI, United States. – Cuba received 184,833 international travelers in January, 5.9% less than in the same month of 2025, which is the worst figure for that month in at least 13 years, not counting the period of the COVID-19 pandemicaccording to data released this Monday by the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI).
The contraction occurs in a context of a prolonged crisis in the tourism sector, considered essential for the Island’s economy. According to official information, tourism had already recorded in the previous year the worst figures since 2002 – excluding the COVID-19 years – and in January it was additionally affected by the geopolitical instability in the Caribbean.
Although the total number of visitors decreased, the two main sending markets to Cuba showed increases. Canada contributed 99,727 travelers, 12% more than in the same period of the previous year, while Russia added 15,688 passengers, with a growth of 31%. Visitors from Argentina also increased, reaching 7,336, and China, with 3,460 travelers.
However, most markets recorded significant declines. The Cuban community abroad fell by more than 40%, to 12,574 travelers, while the United States decreased by 50.1%, with 6,997 visitors. Likewise, the figures for Mexico (3,384), France (2,939), Spain (2,641) and Colombia (2,333) decreased, according to official data.
The prospects for the coming months, in the middle of the high season on the Island, are not encouraging. The EFE news agency points out that the oil siege of Cuba has had a negative impact. The lack of fuel has caused all Canadian and Russian airlines to announce the temporary suspension of their flights to Cuba in recent weeks. In addition, at least 12 countries have recommended their citizens not to travel to the Island or to do so with extreme caution.
In 2025, Cuba registered just over 1.8 million foreign visitors, compared to an official goal of 2.6 million. In 2024 the figure was 2.2 million and in 2023 2.4 million, according to official data.
The current figures are far from the historical highs of 2018 (4.6 million visitors) and 2019 (4.2 million), years associated with the so-called “thaw” in diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba and the elimination of Washington’s restrictions on travel to the Island.
The weakness of the sector, which for years was the country’s economic engine, is due to the serious economic and energy crisis that affects services and the tourist experience, the cutting of air routes and US sanctions.
Tourism is key in 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 generates, traditionally among the main sources of income along with professional services and remittances.
According to EFE, the situation contrasts with that of other Caribbean destinations, such as Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic, and Cancún, in Mexico, which are registering historic highs in visitors after the pandemic.
