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The international tourism crisis in Cuba continues to deepen in 2025, solidifying a negative trend that has dashed hopes for a post-pandemic recovery.
According to preliminary data from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), between January and July of this year, the country welcomed 1,577,330 travelers, 82.8% of the total received in the same period of 2024, which represents 328,126 fewer visitors.
Of that total, 1,123,987 were international tourists, which represents a 76.8% drop compared to 2024, meaning 338,922 fewer visitors. The data reveals a structural and sustained decline in the tourism sector, which is regarded as one of the economic pillars of the country.
The decline has been particularly sharp in some of the main source markets. Russia, which in recent years had gained prominence as a source of tourists, shows the most notable decrease with only 71,797 visitors, a 58.2% drop compared to the same period last year. Following are Germany and Spain, with declines of 60.7% and 72%, respectively.
In contrast, countries like Argentina and Colombia have recorded slight increases compared to 2024, although their contributions to the total remain marginal. The Cuban community abroad, which has traditionally been stable, experienced a more moderate decline (78.5%), continuing to serve as a key source of tourism revenue.
In a thread posted on the social network X by Pedro Monreal, the economist emphasized that this trend, although less discussed recently, confirms the seriousness of the sector's situation.
"Recently, it has stopped being news, but the crisis of international tourism in Cuba is consolidating," Monreal wrote, emphasizing that the total for the first half of the year amounts to only three-quarters of the previous year.
While tourism declines, the Cuban regime continues to prioritize hotel construction, with multimillion-dollar investments in infrastructure that stand in stark contrast to the scarcity of resources in vital sectors like health and food.
Experts and citizens have questioned this strategy, considering that it does not address the real demand or the urgent needs of the country.
The charts released by ONEI show that July 2025 was one of the worst months of the year in terms of international arrivals, solidifying a downward trend that began in April. At this rate, the official forecasts for the end of 2025 could fall well below the expected figures.
The collapse of tourism is a reflection of the profound economic, political, and social crisis that Cuba is experiencing, characterized by a deterioration of services, massive emigration, and the lack of conditions to welcome international visitors in a competitive environment.
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