The Prime Minister Manuel Marrero reaffirmed his commitment to tourism as the “engine of the Cuban economy,” despite the sector being in complete decline and failing to meet the planned objectives for over three years.
This Monday, before members of the National Assembly, Marrero continued to insist on the same rhetoric and stated that "a prosperous tourism will generate income, jobs, and development." On social media, the public response was swift: "How long will Marrero keep telling that story?," said an internet user.
During his speech at the Commissions on Services and Food Supply, Marrero stated that “ensuring the operation of tourism does not mean neglecting the population, but rather enabling income to meet their needs.” A promise that, after years of accumulated crisis, sounds increasingly hollow.
The official discourse once again places tourism at the center, while Cubans deal daily with blackouts, food shortages, poverty-level wages, and collapsed services.
The Cuban tourism industry, affected by the decline in visitor arrivals, poor hospitality services, and low competitiveness, is unable to take off, even to sustain itself. This was acknowledged by the Minister of Tourism, Juan Carlos García Granda, who described 2024 as “the worst moment since September 11, 2001.”
The problems are not new. Excessive centralization, lack of incentives for domestic producers, debts in national currency, payment defaults, and an unstable supply chain that, instead of being revitalized, remains broken.
The Minister of Agriculture acknowledged that the productive linkages with tourism are barely functioning, and the Minister of Food Industry was even more straightforward, stating that the country lacks the capacity to meet the sector's demand.
In parallel, there is an emphasis on new investments in tourism while key sectors such as food production for the population, public services, and the healthcare system are being overlooked.
The logic of “tourism first” has led to the systematic deterioration of the rest of the productive apparatus, but the regime, despite warnings from several deputies about the need to settle debts, decentralize payment schemes, and adjust supply to real demand, remains anchored to a strategy that yields no results.
Instead of correcting course, Marrero doubles down on an industry that does not boost the Cuban economy, but serves to justify his failed policies, the waste of resources, and even to cover up potential money laundering cases in Cuba.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Tourism Crisis in Cuba and Its Economic Impact
Why does the Cuban government continue to rely on tourism as an economic engine?
The Cuban government, led by Manuel Marrero, insists that tourism is key to economic recovery due to its ability to generate foreign currency. Marrero claims that a thriving tourism sector will generate income, jobs, and development, despite the fact that the industry is facing a prolonged crisis and has shown insufficient recovery since the coronavirus pandemic. Despite structural problems and the deterioration of tourism infrastructure, the regime continues to allocate significant resources to the sector, which has led to criticism regarding the government's economic priorities.
What problems is the tourism sector in Cuba currently facing?
The tourism sector in Cuba faces several issues, including a decline in visitor arrivals, low quality of hospitality services, and lack of competitiveness. This is compounded by power outages, shortages, inadequate infrastructure, and the politicization of the sector. The situation has deteriorated to the point that the Minister of Tourism himself described 2024 as the worst moment since September 11, 2001. Furthermore, the government blames the U.S. embargo, but experts point out that internal factors such as corruption and the lack of deep reforms have also contributed to the collapse of the sector.
How is the tourism crisis affecting the Cuban population?
The tourism crisis in Cuba has a significant impact on the population. While resources are being invested in the hotel sector, Cubans are facing blackouts, food shortages, and collapsed services. The rationale of prioritizing tourism has led to the deterioration of other essential sectors such as food production, public services, and the healthcare system. Furthermore, the population faces low wages and limited access to basic products, exacerbating the poverty situation on the island.
What measures has the government proposed to reactivate tourism in Cuba?
The Cuban government has proposed various measures to revive tourism, such as encouraging foreign investment, enhancing the international promotion of Cuba as a tourist destination, and increasing air connectivity. The elimination of the health fee at airports and marinas has also been mentioned, along with the promotion of forms such as medical and nature tourism. However, many of these strategies have been announced in the past without visible results, which raises skepticism about their effectiveness.
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