Tourism in Cuba Faces Grim Outlook for 2024, Reports Show

A preliminary report from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) in Cuba has highlighted alarming figures regarding the performance of the country's tourism sector as 2024 comes to a close, painting a bleak picture for one of Cuba's primary revenue streams. The data indicates that the number of international visitors fell significantly short of expectations, showing a decline compared to previous years.

As of November 2024, Cuba welcomed 2,719,259 travelers, which is 95.2% of the total recorded during the same period in 2022, amounting to 137,047 fewer visitors. Of these, international visitors totaled 2,005,390, reflecting a decrease of 92.1% from the previous year, equivalent to 172,451 fewer visitors.

The ONEI report makes a clear distinction between "travelers" and "international visitors," terms with specific meanings in Cuban tourism statistics. A "traveler" is anyone moving between two or more countries, classified as international if the travel occurs outside their country of residence, regardless of the reason or mode of transport. In contrast, "international visitors" are those visiting a country different from their usual residence for no more than a year, primarily for leisure, recreation, business, or personal reasons, excluding any paid activities in the visited country.

Tourism Trends and Challenges

The report details concerning declines from several major tourist markets. Canada, the leading market, recorded 780,119 visitors, which is 94.8% of last year's figures. The Cuban expatriate community fell to 82%, with 266,625 visitors. European markets such as Spain and Italy saw sharp drops to 73.2% and 83.3%, respectively. In contrast, markets like Mexico and Russia experienced increases of 103.2% and 104.4%, although these gains did not offset the overall losses.

This downturn in tourist arrivals results in reduced revenue for an economy heavily reliant on tourism. Factors such as deteriorating infrastructure, deficiencies in basic services, and reduced competitiveness compared to other Caribbean destinations have been critical. Additionally, diplomatic tensions and restrictive domestic policies have negatively impacted Cuba's international image as a tourist destination.

Impact on Tourism Economy

The report includes a comparative analysis of monthly arrivals, demonstrating a downward trend since 2021. Despite slight increases in some months of 2023, the annual total fell short of pre-pandemic levels. This negative trend has led the Cuban government to acknowledge that the projected target of 2.7 million visitors for this year will not be met, with estimates for 2025 suggesting a further decline to 2.6 million international tourists.

Visitor Experiences and Government Actions

Tourists have shared their experiences in Cuba, shedding light on the island's current conditions. In December 2024, a Spanish tourist reported a lack of water and other essential supplies at the once-prestigious Gran Hotel Casa Granda in Santiago de Cuba, highlighting the deteriorating standards.

The Cuban government's censorship and repression have also affected international visitors. In September 2024, Peruvian tourists Eva Cavero and Andrés Izarnótegui were deported after recording videos in Havana for their YouTube channel, "La Blue Kombi." They were detained at their hotel and interrogated for 12 hours, accused of sharing content that harmed Cuba's image on social media. Their phones were confiscated, their WhatsApp messages scrutinized, and they were threatened with imprisonment for documenting life in Cuba.

Moreover, there have been reports of scams targeting foreign tourists. In May 2023, an Austrian tourist claimed to have been swindled out of 60,000 euros by a Cuban family. Despite filing a police report, her case was dismissed.