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A Reuters report, from the Zapata Swamp, documents the collapse of tourism in Cuba's main destinations, attributing the crisis to the energy sanctions imposed by the Trump administration and the United States embargo on Cuba.
Residents in Cuba and workers in the tourism sector describe a situation "worse than during the coronavirus pandemic." However, international media links the problem to the fuel crisis.
International tourist arrivals plummeted by 56% in February compared to the same month last year, according to official data cited by the agency. The decline coincided with the historic high season of Cuban tourism, which Reuters described as "a final blow to an industry already paralyzed by shortages."
Playa Larga, one of the main destinations in the Zapata Swamp, has both of its hotels closed and most of its attractions shut down. The Cueva de los Peces, an underwater cave with crystal-clear waters that draws visitors from all over the world, has been closed for two months.
The owner of a rental house in Playa Larga canceled reservations from tourists coming from Switzerland, Canada, France, and Germany. "What tourist would want to visit us under these conditions?" she lamented during an interview.
Electricity outages in the provinces last up to 22 hours a day. There is no signal to use mobile phones, leaving thousands of Cubans without communication for long periods.
The lack of electric service disrupts the supply of drinking water. This important resource is scarce in numerous communities. Medical services are also compromised due to power outages and the lack of communication.
The collapse of tourism is spreading to other iconic destinations. Hotel chains like Meliá, Iberostar, and Valentín temporarily closed in Varadero, Cayo Coco, and Cayo Guillermo between February and April.
Air Canada has suspended its flights to Cuba until May. In total, more than 1,700 flights were canceled during the peak season due to a shortage of Jet A1 fuel.
Beyond the perspective presented by Reuters, a broader analysis of the situation in Cuba points to internal causes that have been decisive in the deterioration of the sector.
Far from being a temporary phenomenon caused solely by external factors, the decline in tourism in Cuba is a result of structural problems that have accumulated over the years.
The state's almost total dependence on the sector, the lack of real investment in infrastructure, inefficiencies in management, and the inability to guarantee basic services such as electricity, transportation, or supply have created an unviable environment for foreign visitors.
In this context, any external pressure acts as a catalyst, but not as the main cause of a crisis that has been developing for over a decade.
The "fuel blockade" and its impact on tourism in Cuba
The energy crisis underlying the tourism collapse worsened after the Executive Order 14380, signed by Trump on January 29, which declared a national emergency and imposed tariffs on countries supplying crude oil to Cuba, cutting between 80% and 90% of the island's oil imports.
This was compounded by the interruption of Venezuelan shipments and the suspension of Mexican supplies due to pressure from Washington.
Tourism accounted for up to 10% of Cuba's foreign exchange earnings in 2024. However, the sector had been in sustained decline since 2018, when the island welcomed five million visitors. In 2025, that number dropped to 1.81 million, a cumulative decline of 64% over seven years, with a hotel occupancy rate of 18.9%.
Although the report highlights the impact of the sanctions and the fuel crisis, it also describes a general decline in the country's tourism infrastructure.
The decline of tourism began long before the recent energy measures and coincides with a sustained drop in the quality of services, the neglect of facilities, and the increasing precariousness in the country.
The lack of fuel, prolonged blackouts, and the paralysis of services not only affect visitors but also reflect an economic model incapable of sustaining one of its main sources of revenue.
The crisis is also eroding Cuba's international image as a tourist destination. The lack of basic services, transportation difficulties, and the closure of attractions create a negative experience that discourages future visits.
This chain effect not only reduces the arrival of tourists in the short term but also jeopardizes the long-term recovery of the sector, further exacerbating the country's economic fragility.
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