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Investments in hotels and restaurants in Cuba saw a sharp decline in 2025, according to data published by the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), reflected in the bulletin of "Selected Indicators of the Business and Budgeted System" for the month of June.
According to the graph published by ONEI, the hospitality and tourism sector received 4.7% of the total investments so far this year, compared to the 11.3% recorded in the same period of 2024.
The decline in these investments highlights a supposed loss of priority for the tourism sector in the development plans of the Cuban regime, amidst a context of sustained economic crisis and a collapse in the arrival of international visitors.
In contrast, the government claims that it has allocated more resources to the supply of electricity, gas, and water, accounting for 33.6% of total investments, which represents a significant increase from 10.7% in 2024.
These figures from the ONEI contradict the state's narrative, indicating a supposed shift in focus toward sectors considered strategic and suggesting, at first glance, that there are new priorities for the regime in order to reverse, within an unspecified timeframe, the ongoing blackouts and the deterioration of basic services in the country.
Where there were no surprises is in the second largest investment destination, which was the area of business services, real estate and rental activities, although it also experienced a significant reduction, dropping from 26.2% in 2024 to 17.0% in 2025, equivalent to a decrease of 9.2 percentage points.
The reorientation of investments, reducing the emphasis on tourism, contradicts the statements made by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero, who faced harsh criticism on social media in July when he stated that this sector would continue to be a priority for investments because it "will generate income, jobs, and development," despite being in a full crisis for more than three years.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Decline in Investments in Hotels and Restaurants in Cuba
Why have investments in hotels and restaurants in Cuba decreased in 2025?
Investments in hotels and restaurants in Cuba have fallen to 4.7% of total investments in 2025, compared to 11.3% during the same period in 2024. This decrease reflects a possible loss of priority for the tourism sector by the Cuban government, amid a sustained economic crisis and a decline in the number of international visitors.
What has been the new investment approach of the Cuban government in 2025?
In 2025, the Cuban government has redirected its investments towards the supply of electricity, gas, and water, concentrating 33.6% of total investments in these sectors. This shift in focus aims to address issues such as constant blackouts and the deterioration of basic services. However, these actions contradict the official discourse that promotes tourism as the "locomotive of the Cuban economy."
How has the tourism crisis affected Cuba's economy?
The crisis of tourism in Cuba, characterized by a low hotel occupancy rate and a 25% decrease in the arrival of visitors, has had a significant negative impact on the country's economy. The tourism sector has traditionally been one of the main sources of income for Cuba, and its decline has exacerbated existing economic problems, such as food shortages and the deterioration of infrastructure.
What criticisms have been made regarding the management of tourism in Cuba?
Numerous critics have pointed out that tourism management in Cuba is characterized by a lack of correlation between investment and economic return, as well as by the persistence of structural problems that limit its competitiveness. The Cuban regime has been criticized for continuing to invest in a sector that shows no signs of recovery, while neglecting essential areas such as health, education, and food production.
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