Cuba’s tourism sector experienced a 62% drop in international visitor arrivals during the first seven months of 2026, totaling approximately 419,000 visitors compared to about 1.1 million in the same period of 2025, according to Cuba’s National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI).
The decline reflects a deepening economic crisis in Cuba marked by supply shortages, frequent power outages, and growing strain on both businesses and households. These conditions have sharply reduced the capacity and appeal of the tourism industry, which has historically been a major source of foreign currency for the country.
US Sanctions Impacting Tourism Businesses
Between May and July 2026, the U.S.
State Department imposed sanctions on companies operating within Cuba’s tourism sector, including potential freezing of accounts and restrictions barring operations within the U.S. financial system. Major international hotel operators such as Meliá, Iberostar, and Royalton suspended their contracts in Cuba following these measures. Additionally, Visa and Mastercard halted payment services in Cuba within the same period, complicating transactions for tourists and tourism businesses.
Flight Suspensions Due to Fuel Shortages
Several major airlines, including World2Fly, Air France, Turkish Airlines, and Iberia, suspended flights to Cuba after the Cuban government announced that aircraft could no longer be refueled on the island due to critical fuel shortages. This suspension
of air service further limits international travel options to and from Cuba amid the ongoing crisis.
Before the disruptions, Cuba had welcomed approximately 4.3 million international visitors in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic downturn. The tourism sector was responsible for roughly $3 billion in annual revenue in normal conditions, demonstrating its economic significance.
The crisis in 2026 has resulted in widespread closures and reduced operations among hotels, private accommodations, and other tourism-related businesses. Tourist areas, including beaches, shops, and local attractions dependent on foreign visitors, report noticeably decreased traffic.
With international arrivals in 2026 less than half those recorded
a year earlier, Cuba faces an increasingly difficult recovery for its tourism industry amid broader economic deterioration and ongoing shortages across the country.
