In brief
Cuba recorded a 65.1% fall in international visitors between January and September 2026, with 477,707 guests compared to 1.37 million a year earlier. The downturn stems from U.S. sanctions, halted air routes, and hotel chain pullouts, while the National Assembly approves reforms to revive tourism.
In Havana, the National Office of Statistics and Information released data indicating a 65.1 percent drop in international visitors to Cuba for the first nine months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. The island received 477,707 international visitors, down 890,140 from the same period a year earlier.
Canada, the country’s biggest source of tourists, saw the largest decline, with visitor numbers falling by 430,460. Arrivals from Russia decreased by 67,205, while visits by Cubans living abroad dropped by 60,081. The number of visitors from the United States fell by 42,984.
Tourism remains a key source of foreign currency for Cuba, but the sector is experiencing a crisis marked by suspended air routes, hotel closures and the withdrawal of international companies. In July, Cuban authorities stated that U.S. pressure had prompted seven international hotel chains to pull out of the island, including Spain’s Melia, Iberostar and Barcelo.
The downturn has also been compounded by U.S. restrictions on oil supplies imposed since January, including threats of tariffs on countries supplying fuel to the island, and expanded sanctions introduced in May. Cuba has been subject to a U.S. economic, commercial and financial embargo for more than six decades.
In June, Cuba’s National Assembly of People’s Power approved a package of 176 economic and social reform measures aimed at liberalizing the economy. The package includes provisions to attract new investors and expand private‑sector participation in tourism.
Impact on the Tourism Industry
Hotel owners report that the combined effect of sanctions and reduced air traffic has forced a number of properties to shut down or scale back operations. The loss of major hotel chains has not only reduced accommodation capacity, it has also diminished the island’s appeal to international travelers seeking branded services.
Airlines operating to Cuba have cited difficulties in securing fuel and maintenance support under the newer sanctions, leading to flights cessation or reduced frequency. This has further curtailed the number of visitors that can arrive by commercial air travel, a critical channel for tourist inflow.
Policy Measures and Future Prospects
The reform package approved by the National Assembly seeks to counter the crisis by opening the economy to foreign investment and encouraging private‑sector participation in tourism. By relaxing regulations and offering incentives, the government hopes to attract new investors who could rebuild and modernize hotels, airports and related infrastructure.
Officials have stated that the reforms aim to create a more flexible regulatory environment, with the expectation that increased investment could help restore Cuba’s tourism markets over the coming years. The success of these measures will, however, depend on the continued tightening or easing of U.S. sanctions, as well as the global economic environment influencing travel demand.
Smart investors and tourism operators will likely monitor further legislative changes closely, while the U.S. and other partners may keep a watchful eye on how the reforms influence Cuba’s compliance with international regulations and its standing in the global tourism community.
