MIAMI.– Tourism in Cuba registers a sharp decline in the first quarter of 2026, with a 48% drop in visitor arrivals, which shows the worsening of the economic crisis under the regime and the failure of one of its main income drivers.
Between January and March, the island receives 298,057 foreign tourists, well below the levels of the previous year, according to data from the National Office of Statistics and Information. The drop deepened in March, with only 35,561 visitors, one of the lowest figures in recent years.
The setback directly impacts one of the country’s main sources of foreign currency. Tourism, which historically supports a good part of the Cuban economy, is also affected by the precariousness of services, the lack of infrastructure and the energy crisis that hits the island.
The collapse reaches all key issuing markets. Canada, the main source of tourists, reduces its arrivals by more than 50%, while Russia and Cubans abroad also register significant drops.
State control
Beyond external factors, the deterioration of the sector responds to structural problems accumulated for years. The lack of investment, state control and the regime’s inability to guarantee basic conditions affect Cuba’s competitiveness compared to other Caribbean destinations.
The situation is worsened by the suspension of international flights due to fuel shortages, which further limits visitor access. Airlines from Canada, Russia and Europe paralyze operations without a clear resumption date.
Since 2019, the island’s tourist income has been reduced by nearly 70%, reflecting a sustained deterioration that neither the temporary opening nor the end of the pandemic can reverse.
The collapse of tourism confirms the fragility of the Cuban economic model and reveals the growing inability of the regime to sustain one of its strategic sectors, while the internal crisis continues to deepen.
SOURCE: With information from AFP
