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The tourism crisis in Cuba solidifies two powerful destinations in the Caribbean. The big winners are the tourist hubs of Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
El Economista reported that the Caribbean tourism sector is experiencing a clear shift of travelers towards destinations with better connectivity, operational stability, and energy guarantees, a situation that clearly puts Cuba at a disadvantage.
The Spanish Confederation of Travel Agencies has pointed out Mexico and the Dominican Republic as a "Caribbean refuge" amidst the instabilities of the island.
The market does not speak of automatic substitution, but rather of a reorientation of tourist flow towards more predictable destinations. Cancun, Riviera Maya, and Punta Cana currently attract part of that international demand that seeks logistical security and less uncertainty in travel.
Connectivity and stability: the keys to mobility
The determining factor has been connectivity. Cuba is facing the cancellation of over 1,700 flights until April due to a fuel shortage, which is even impacting supply for commercial aviation.
Strategic markets such as Canada and Russia have drastically reduced operations and even conducted flights in January and February to bring their tourists back from the island.
In contrast, Mexico ended 2025 with record numbers of international visitors, and the Dominican Republic surpassed 11 million travelers, supported by solid infrastructure and stable air operations. The operational difference highlights the competitive gap in the Caribbean.
The impact is already being felt in the hotel sector. The Spanish chains Meliá and Iberostar have temporarily closed several resorts in the country.
Meliá, one of the leading operators of hotels in Cuba, has suspended three of the 35 properties it manages on the island. It announced last week that it is preparing for more closures, although it does not intend to abandon its operations in Cuba.
Iberostar has followed the same strategy, but has only closed two of its 18 hotels in the country.
Historic lows in tourism in Cuba
According to the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), Cuba received just over 1.8 million international visitors in 2025, an 18% decrease compared to the previous year and the lowest level in over two decades, excluding the pandemic.
The figure confirms a sustained decline since 2010, when the country had around five million tourists.
The official data from January shows a significant decline in the number of Cuban travelers residing abroad. In the first month of 2026, 12,574 visitors from the community abroad arrived in the country, compared to 21,015 in the same period of 2025. That's 8,441 fewer tourists, a drop of more than 40% in just one year.
The setback directly affects one of the most stable revenue streams for tourism in Cuba. The Cuban diaspora typically travels for family reasons, sends remittances, and supports a significant portion of internal consumption in foreign currency. When that flow decreases, the economic impact is immediate.
More than just a temporary episode, the deterioration of tourism in Cuba reflects a loss of regional competitiveness at a time when other Caribbean destinations are seizing the opportunity.
The reorientation of the market is evident. Cuba is losing operational capacity, while Mexico and the Dominican Republic consolidate their leadership in the region.
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