The official media outlet Cubadebate acknowledged the decline of tourism in Cuba and Cubans explained why travelers might not want to come to the island.
Despite an article that asks “Has the economy's engine stalled?”, Cubadebate attributes the contraction of tourism in the first half of 2025 mainly to “the complex interaction of global, regional, and domestic factors.” For Cubans, the question would be: “Who wants to come to a country without electricity and with bitter people?”
"But don't they realize that tourists are human and who would want to go to a country without electricity, where people are bitter and that also reflects in the tourism workers who arrive each day without sleep, worried about what to eat, when to wash or cook, etc.," argued an internet user.
“Joy is fading away, it disappears more each day, and tourists seek the beach with white sands, but they also look for human warmth, the empathy of Cubans, the joy in the streets, and that is no longer present. Instead, they are confronted with a scene of disgust; there is a stench, not the disease, no, just a bad smell, and we are so accustomed that we don’t even notice it, but there is a stench in Cuba with every garbage heap on every corner and sewage water everywhere, there are sand flies, mosquitoes, flies have become the national symbol, even in hotels the food has deteriorated, as I’ve been told because I haven’t been there for years... in short. It’s impossible like this, there are a thousand wonderful destinations in the world,” this Cuban added.
In another strong response to the state-run media, a user who claims to have recently stayed at a 5-star hotel in Varadero shared that "there were no eggs for 4 days, breakfast is essential for many. Terrible service. The poor workers from Santa Marta, Cárdenas, and Matanzas never get a break because there is no power. So any foreigner who comes... won’t come back or recommend it... Not to mention the multiple currencies. Only understandable for us and that's it."
For another Cuban, the future outlook seems even worse as "as long as hotels depend on an assigned budget, are managed by former military personnel, and the workers' salaries are in CUP while the hotels operate in foreign currency, in one year there will be 0% visitors."
"A country where misery is more than evident, scarcity and unsanitary conditions reflect a rotten and messed-up government system. Tourists no longer believe in the tale of the paradise island; they are well aware that it is a corrupt and unsafe country," another person states.
Similarly, some users explain that they would not recommend foreigners to visit Cuba: “It is sad that the land where you were born and that you love cannot be recommended to anyone.”
"In a country that spends more time in the dark than in the light, what did they expect? The streets in Cuba are practically lifeless, recreational centers, bars, restaurants, etc., are not operating as they should due to a lack of electricity, hotels are facing logistical issues... but well, we all know who they blame for it," said another.
Finally, another Cuban rhetorically and sarcastically asks, "What tourist is going to want to come?"
"It’s supposed to be for clearing their minds and taking a stroll, not for stressing out, and the rest of us here, the vast majority, are just as eager to leave too!!!" he adds emphatically.
Decline in tourism
Until June, Cuba received 1,306,650 travelers, 319,654 fewer than during the same period in 2024, according to official data from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI).
Similarly, 981,856 international visitors arrived, which is 327,799 fewer than in 2024, marking a 25% decrease in the total number of visitors to Cuba.
The arrival of Russian tourists, a market that the regime has invested in to revive the sector in an attempt to boost the struggling Cuban economy, also saw a sharp decline.
By the end of June, only 63,708 Russian tourists had arrived on the island, representing a significant decline of 48,999 tourists compared to the previous year, when 112,707 had arrived.
Canada, traditionally the primary market for Cuban tourism, also shows a significant contraction, dropping from 577,624 to 428,125 visitors.
The contraction deepens the trend that had already been established by the end of May, when there were 303,299 fewer visitors compared to the same period in 2024.
These figures continue to confirm that the contraction of tourism is not a temporary issue, but a structural one. Hotel occupancy in the first quarter was only 24.1%, meaning that over 75% of the installed capacity remained idle, even during peak season.
Overnight stays dropped from more than 5 million to 3.6 million, and revenues plummeted by 21.5%, from 44.411 million to 34.860 million Cuban pesos, according to data released by the official entity.
The hotel chain Meliá reported a 20.8% drop in revenue per available room and an average occupancy rate of 40.5%, confirming the poor performance of the Cuban market compared to other Caribbean destinations.
"International tourism occupied less than a quarter of hotel capacity in the first quarter. This is a worse result than in 2024 and contradicts the official recovery narrative," warned economist Pedro Monreal.
Despite this situation, the Cuban regime continues to invest in the construction of hotels and tourist infrastructure, a strategy that has been strongly criticized by economists and industry specialists.
However, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero insists that tourism will be the “engine of the Cuban economy,” despite the fact that the sector is in complete decline and has not been able to meet the targets set for more than three years.
In June, before members of the National Assembly, Marrero continued to insist on the usual rhetoric and claimed that “prosperous tourism will generate income, jobs, and development.”
Frequently Asked Questions About the Decline of Tourism in Cuba
Why has tourism in Cuba declined in 2025?
The decline of tourism in Cuba in 2025 is due to a combination of economic crisis, power outages, and the deterioration of tourist services. Tourists are facing issues such as lack of electricity, poor quality of food, and unsanitary conditions, which discourage visitors from returning or recommending the destination.
How does the energy crisis affect tourism in Cuba?
The energy crisis in Cuba has led to constant blackouts that affect the quality of service in hotels and restaurants. This reduces tourist satisfaction, as they face challenges in enjoying a comfortable and safe stay, which negatively impacts the country's image as a tourist destination.
What do Cubans think about the tourism situation in their country?
Many Cubans criticize the situation of tourism on the island, pointing out problems such as power outages, unsanitary conditions, and poor service in the tourism sector. They believe that these conditions deter tourists and negatively impact the local economy, which heavily relies on this sector.
What impact does the tourism crisis have on the Cuban economy?
The collapse of tourism in Cuba has resulted in significant economic losses, estimated at over 150 million dollars. Hotel occupancy is low, and the sector's revenues have declined, directly impacting the country's economic growth and job creation in the tourism sector.
Filed under:
