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Canadian reservations for the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and other Caribbean and Central American destinations have surged following the indefinite suspension of the Cuba program by Sunwing Vacations, according to new data released this Thursday by Canada's largest vacation operator to the island.
The company, which suspended its operations in Cuba on June 5 with no date for resuming, was responsible for transporting more than half of all Canadian travelers visiting Cuba's tourist hotspots during the winter season.
Dominican Republic emerges as the main beneficiary destination, with a 50% increase in year-on-year bookings. Within that market, Puerto Plata leads the growth with a rise of 60%, while Samaná also records significant gains following the expansion of air services and new accommodation options.
Mexico captured approximately a quarter of the demand displaced from Cuba. Cancún remains the most booked destination of Sunwing, but it is Mazatlán that records the largest individual jump, with reservations exceeding 70% growth compared to the previous year. Cozumel is also gaining ground among travelers seeking value options.
Other destinations are capturing the remainder of the redirected flow. Reservations to Liberia, Costa Rica, doubled year-over-year; Río Hato, Panama, saw a 35% increase; and Freeport, Bahamas, exceeded a 20% rise.
“The Canadian travelers are very aware of how they spend on tourism, and value remains a key factor in choosing a destination,” stated Deana Murphy, Vice President of Sales and Business Development at Sunwing Vacations.
"We are seeing how customers are leaning towards destinations that offer a good balance between price, quality in the resorts, and the hospitality they value the most."
The suspension of Sunwing coincided with the deadline set by Washington for foreign companies to dissociate from GAESA, the Cuban military conglomerate that controls a significant portion of the island's tourism and finances, under the threat of sanctions from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
After that deadline, the main Canadian airlines —Air Canada, WestJet, and Air Transat— also indefinitely suspended all their flights to Cuba.
The impact on Cuban tourism is devastating. In March 2026, only 511 Canadians visited the island, compared to 98,663 in the same month of 2025, a drop of 99.48%.
In the period from January to April, Cuba received only 328,608 international visitors, a decrease of 55.8% compared to 2025, with hotel occupancy not exceeding 10%.
In contrast, the Dominican Republic welcomed 6.5 times more tourists than Cuba in January 2026, and Mexico closed 2025 with a record of 47.8 million visitors.
Murphy acknowledged Cuba's historical significance for the company, although he did not announce any plans for a return.
"Cuba has been an important part of Sunwing's history for many years, and we remain optimistic about the future of the destination and the communities that have long welcomed Canadian visitors."
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