Cuba Tourism Falls 64.4% as August Brings Only 30,490 Visitors

Cuba's tourism industry suffered a significant decline in August, with visitor numbers dropping by 64.4% compared to the same period in 2025. The National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) reported that the island welcomed 30,490 international tourists in August alone. This figure marked the weakest performance since June, which saw only 28,100 visitors.

The overall eight-month total for 2026 was just 35.6% of the level seen in the same period of 2025, a decrease of 813,979 visitors or 50.5% in broader categories. Canada, the primary market for Cuba's tourism, recorded a 75.6% drop in arrivals, sending 128,400 visitors compared to 556,400 in the same period last year. US pressure since January, coupled with secondary sanctions, led to the suspension of flights and the departure of major hotel groups, exacerbating the crisis.

Power outages and fuel shortages have further compounded the situation, leaving millions without electricity and affecting hotel operations. Governments have issued travel advisories, and direct flights from Canada, once a key source of tourism, have now ceased. Despite government efforts to promote private sector involvement in tourism, the situation remains dire, with occupancy rates around 21.5% in hotels and a projected 66% of Cubans now living in poverty.