The Thai-owned hotel chain Minor has decided to leave Havana and will cease operations of the two NH hotels it manages in the Cuban capital: the NH Capri and the NH Collection Victoria, both located in El Vedado.
NH Capri has 200 rooms, while NH Collection Victoria has 31 rooms.
According to the agency EFE, this departure occurs in a context of a complex business climate on the island, reflected in the substantial decline of tourism in recent years.
Cuba recorded its worst number of international tourist arrivals in 2025 since 2002, with only 1.8 million, far below the record of 4.7 million in 2018 during the thaw in relations with the U.S.
Hotel occupancy rates barely exceed 20%, compared to the 70-75% considered optimal for the industry.
In the first half of 2025, arrivals dropped by 25% compared to 2024, totaling 981,856 tourists, making it impossible to reach the government's target of 2.6 million for the entire year.
Canada, the main source market, fell by 25.9%; only Colombia (+2.4%) and Argentina (+13.6%) showed growth, while Europe and Russia saw significant declines.
The month of December, traditionally the beginning of the high season, clearly reflected the magnitude of the problem. It was the worst December since 2021, with international arrivals far below expectations.
This trend confirms, according to economist Pedro Monreal, "an anemic first part of the high season," which anticipates a 2026 full of challenges for the national economy.
The low turnout in the last month of the year not only undermines official forecasts but also calls into question the sustainability of a sector that remains vital for capturing foreign currency.
The economic and energy crisis, cuts in flight routes, and U.S. sanctions have impacted the sector, with hotel occupancy rates below 20-25% (optimal: 70-75%).
This follows 2.2 million in 2024 (the worst in 17 years) and contrasts with the peak of 4.7 million in 2018 during the thaw with the U.S.
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