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The tourism sector in Cuba experienced a significant decline in the first months of 2025, according to preliminary data published by the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI).
According to the government agency, by February, 496,858 travelers had arrived on the island, which represents a 77.9% decrease compared to the same period in 2024.
Of these, 374,267 were international visitors, which represents a decrease of 29.1% compared to the previous year.
The decrease in tourist arrivals particularly affects key markets such as Canada, traditionally the largest source of visitors to the island. In 2024, 261,009 Canadian tourists traveled to Cuba, while in 2025 the number has dropped to 173,611, which represents a reduction of 33.5%.
Another country experiencing a drastic decline is Russia, where the number of tourists decreased by 50.9%, dropping from 43,859 in 2024 to 22,306 in 2025. In the case of Spain and Italy, the declines are also significant, with reductions of 25.2% and 25.8%, respectively.
Impact on the economy and the tourism sector
The collapse of tourism has a direct impact on the Cuban economy, as this sector is one of its main sources of income.
The internal economic crisis, the difficulties in post-pandemic recovery, the lack of air connectivity, and the conditions of tourist services on the island may be influencing this downward trend.
Despite the widespread decline, tourism from the United States has decreased to a lesser extent, with a variation of 89.1% compared to the previous year, suggesting greater stability in this market compared to others.
The ONEI continues to monitor the evolution of tourism on the island and will publish new monthly reports on visitor arrivals. However, with these figures, Cuba faces a challenging 2025 in terms of tourism and economic recovery.
Context of tourism in Cuba during 2024
The year 2024 was a challenging period for the Cuban tourism industry. The island received approximately 2.2 million international tourists, a figure well below pre-pandemic levels of COVID-19 and 9.6% less than in 2023.
Despite the Cuban government's efforts to attract more visitors, structural issues in the economy and the service sector have negatively affected the arrival of travelers.
One of the main factors that impacted tourism in Cuba during 2024 was the energy crisis, with prolonged blackouts affecting both the local population and visitors.
Additionally, the shortage of basic products, including food options in hotels and the lack of maintenance in tourist infrastructure, led to constant complaints from tourists who visited the island.
Another key aspect was the growing competition from other Caribbean destinations such as the Dominican Republic and Mexico, which managed to attract many tourists who previously visited Cuba. These countries offered better flight connections, more competitive prices, and a higher quality tourism experience.
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