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While several governments around the world recommend avoiding travel to Cuba due to the energy crisis and the collapse of basic services, the Cuban regime is attempting to market an idyllic image of the island in Kuwait as a tourist destination filled with history, music, beaches, and “human warmth.”
According to a report by Arab Times, the Cuban ambassador in Kuwait, Alain Pérez Torres, recently led a conference organized by the Cuban embassy to promote the country's tourist attractions to Kuwaiti travel agencies and diplomatic representatives.
During the event, Pérez Torres stated that Cuba is “a destination rich in history, culture, and natural beauty,” and asserted that visitors can find “captivating stories in every corner of the country,” highlighting places such as Old Havana, Trinidad, and Cienfuegos, as well as the architectural and cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO.
The diplomat emphasized that music and dance are “the soul of the island,” mentioning rhythms such as son, rumba, and mambo, and promoted tourist experiences like learning salsa, attending live shows, or visiting jazz clubs.
It also highlighted Cuban cuisine, the beaches, and tobacco, as well as the opportunity to tour plantations and learn about the production of the famous Cuban cigars, according to the same source.
Arab Times noted that the ambassador stated that around 70 Kuwaitis visited Cuba last year, and that Cuban authorities expect to increase that number through greater tourism cooperation and promotional campaigns in the Gulf country.
The Cuban regime issued an official statement titled “Presentation of Cuba as a Tourist Destination to Travel Agencies of the State of Kuwait,” dated February 1, 2026, in which it was reported that the destination Cuba was presented “officially” to over 40 travel agencies during an event held at the Cultural Art Platform (CAT).
The presentation also featured the Cuban Tourism Advisor Eddy Santos González and the Deputy Minister for the Americas of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait, Nawaf Abdullatif Sulaiman Al-Ahmed, who expressed an interest in strengthening bilateral relations.
The official document states that the meeting served to promote Cuba as a “safe, authentic, and highly attractive” destination for travelers from the Gulf, amid a clear effort to open new markets in light of the collapse of traditional tourism.
However, the attempt to market Cuba as a tourist paradise contrasts with the reality faced by residents and visitors on the island, characterized by prolonged blackouts, fuel shortages, lack of running water, and a widespread deterioration of living conditions.
In recent days, governments such as those of the United Kingdom, Argentina, Canada, the United States, and Spain have issued warnings to their citizens about the risks of traveling to Cuba, due to the collapse of basic services and the energy crisis that is affecting even tourist areas.
The United Kingdom's Foreign Office has warned, for example, that power outages are “common throughout the country” and can lead to severe disruptions in water supply, refrigeration, and communications. Argentina went even further and advised to “avoid or postpone” tourist trips to Cuba due to the extreme deterioration of internal conditions.
Amid this situation, the regime continues to bet on foreign tourism propaganda, aiming to attract visitors to an island where an increasing number of tourists are confronted not only with hardship but also with the uncertainty of traveling to a country plunged into an unprecedented crisis.
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