The surprising proposal from the Cuban Minister of Tourism to attract visitors

During a meeting with tourism operators and airlines in Bogotá, Colombia, Cuba's Minister of Tourism, Juan Carlos García Granda, proposed an idea that was surprising both for its boldness and its regional implications: to create a shared visa system among Latin American countries, inspired by the Schengen Area in Europe.

“We need to start discussing visas that could be valid for multiple countries, similar to what happens with the Schengen Area in Europe. We should look at how this has been done around the world and apply it in the region to attract common benefits from such distant tourist flows,” he argued at a meeting held at the Dann Carlton Hotel, as cited in an interview with the minister by El País.

An ambitious idea: the "Caribbean Schengen"

The proposal aims not only to simplify processes for travelers but also to enhance a regional vision of tourism, particularly targeting distant markets such as China, Russia, and Turkey.

The goal: for a visitor arriving in Havana to also be able to continue to Cartagena, Cancun, or Lima without facing new immigration obstacles.

The minister insists that only a joint strategy will enable the countries in the region to attract travelers who would otherwise choose destinations with greater integration and less bureaucracy.

This idea becomes even more relevant when considering the context: Cuba has gone from receiving 4.7 million tourists in 2017 to only 2.2 million in 2024.

García Granda attributes it to a combination of factors: the pandemic, the energy crisis affecting the country, and the tightening of U.S. policies, which has once again placed the island on the list of state sponsors of terrorism. This has consequences even for European tourists who fear repercussions when traveling to the United States afterward.

The gaze toward the East: China as a major bet

In light of the decline in American tourism, the Cuban government has set its sights on new emerging markets.

In fact, the minister revealed that China occupies a central role in their expansion strategy. Currently, there are two weekly flights between Beijing and Havana, and the visa requirement for Chinese citizens has been eliminated.

For García Granda, attracting Chinese tourists would not only be a boost for the island but for all of Latin America.

The strategy to attract this type of traveler includes diversifying the offerings—beyond the classic "sun and beach"—increasing air connectivity, reducing migration barriers, and fostering alliances with other countries on the continent.

In this regard, their proposal for a regional visa does not seem like a mere political gesture, but rather a cornerstone of a long-term policy.

"Latin American Schengen" proposed by Cuba: Another variant of "creative resistance?"

The proposal by Minister Juan Carlos García Granda to establish a regional visa system similar to Schengen may be bold, even visionary, but it is far from being an easily achievable initiative.

Latin America does not have the institutional, political, or logistical conditions that allowed Europe to establish its free movement space.

The differences between countries, the gaps in their migration systems, divergent economic interests, and the political instability that characterizes much of the region render a measure of this magnitude, for now, little more than a diplomatic wish.

Beyond symbolism, the proposal from the Cuban minister seems to address an urgent need: to find imaginative solutions to the deep crisis in the tourism sector in Cuba.

However, a "Caribbean Schengen" would require years of multilateral negotiations, firm commitments among governments that do not always act in unison, and a shared legal and technological infrastructure that currently does not exist.

In the case of Cuba, the proposal seems merely a distraction from the structural problems facing Cuban tourism: power outages, widespread shortages, restrictions on freedoms, and an international image tarnished by political and economic reasons.

While eliminating bureaucratic obstacles is a commendable goal, it will first be necessary to rebuild trust in the Cuba destination, diversify the tourism offer with actions rather than intentions, and demonstrate that it is possible to compete on equal terms in the global market.

In short, the idea can serve as a rhetorical exercise and a nod to potential strategic allies, but the geopolitical and economic reality of the continent imposes a considerable gap between the ambition of the discourse and the concrete possibilities for implementation.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Regional Visa Proposal