A Cuban who stayed at the Memories Miramar hotel in Havana shared a video on TikTok showing the alarming lack of guests at the venue. It looks like a ghost hotel, commented user @johnfashion_official, who noted that the hotel’s common areas were practically deserted.
"I came with my two friends; they booked us a hotel for February 14th to have a nice time, but this feels like a hotel for just the three of us. Who are we going to socialize with? With Casper?" the TikToker remarked sarcastically, noticing the absence of other guests in the pool and recreational areas.
The video has generated diverse reactions. Some users expressed surprise and inquired about the hotel’s price, while others criticized the creator for complaining about a free stay. "There are no girls to hang out with," commented one follower, while another joked that the hotel should be named "There's no one left to come in."
This testimony adds to other recent ones that highlight the severe tourism crisis in Cuba. According to data from the National Office of Information and Statistics (ONEI), the island recorded a 25% drop in the arrival of international visitors in January 2025 compared to the same month of the previous year. This figure represents the third worst start to the year since 2003, surpassed only by the pandemic years.
The main source markets for tourists to Cuba have decreased dramatically: Canadian travelers, historically the largest group of visitors, have reduced their arrivals, while Russian tourism, which in recent years helped sustain the sector, has halved compared to 2024.
In addition, the YouTuber Karina Sánchez Rodríguez documented in a recent video the lack of nightlife in Varadero, the most important beach destination in Cuba. During her night tour, she showcased empty streets and restaurants without customers, attributing the situation to high prices and the economic crisis.
Another testimony that reinforces this trend is that of the TikToker Jonix Dose, who shared images of Old Havana practically deserted, with tourist businesses lacking customers and streets devoid of activity. "There are many businesses dedicated to tourism, but they are empty," he pointed out in his video.
Despite the collapse of tourism, the Cuban regime continues to invest in the construction of new luxury hotels. While the hotel infrastructure keeps expanding, the country is facing a crisis of basic supplies, blackouts, and a deficient transportation system that impact the quality of tourist services.
Testimonials from tourists and influencers on social media confirm that the lack of maintenance, the energy crisis, and economic restrictions have made Cuba a less attractive destination, in contrast to other Caribbean countries like the Dominican Republic or Mexico, which have experienced sustained growth in visitor arrivals.
With hotel occupancy at historic lows, the question that remains is: what measures will the Cuban government take to reverse this crisis, or will it continue to ignore the problems that have plagued its tourism industry?
Frequently Asked Questions about the Tourism Crisis in Cuba
Why is tourism in Cuba facing such a severe crisis?
The tourism sector in Cuba is facing a severe crisis due to lack of infrastructure maintenance, energy crises, economic restrictions, and a declining perception of safety. Additionally, the drop in international visitors, with a 25% decrease in January 2025 compared to the previous year, along with issues such as blackouts, food shortages, and poor services, have deterred tourists. Despite investments in new hotels, the sector has not managed to attract the expected number of tourists.
How has the tourism crisis affected iconic destinations like Varadero?
Varadero, one of the main tourist destinations in Cuba, has been severely impacted by the tourism crisis. The streets and beaches of Varadero appear deserted, with hotels and restaurants empty of customers, and a noticeable lack of nightlife. High prices and the economic situation have made the destination inaccessible for many Cubans, while the poor quality of services has driven away foreign tourists.
What impact does the tourism crisis have on the Cuban economy?
The decline in tourism severely affects the Cuban economy, as it is one of the country's main sources of income. In 2024, Cuba received only 2.2 million tourists, a figure significantly lower than projected and the lowest in two decades. The decrease in visitors impacts not only the local economies of places like Havana and Varadero, but it also contributes to the overall crisis in the country due to the lack of foreign currency.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the tourism crisis?
The Cuban government continues to bet on the construction of new luxury hotels as a measure to tackle the tourism crisis. However, this strategy has been widely criticized, as it ignores fundamental structural problems such as maintenance of infrastructure, blackouts, and the lack of basic supplies that affect the tourist experience. Despite the challenges, the regime insists on promoting the island as a premier Caribbean destination.
How does the tourism situation in Cuba compare to that of other Caribbean destinations?
While Cuba faces a tourism crisis, other Caribbean destinations such as the Dominican Republic are experiencing an unprecedented boom. In 2024, the Dominican Republic welcomed over 11 million visitors, in contrast to the 2.2 million that arrived in Cuba. The diversification of offerings and the improvement in service quality have made other destinations more attractive to tourists compared to Cuba.
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