The decline in foreign visitors to Cuba has intensified in 2026. Cuba recorded 419,863 visitors from January through July 2026, 708,968 fewer than the 1,128,831 recorded during the same period in 2025. This represents a 62.8% year-over-year decline—or, conversely, 37.2% of the level recorded during the same period last year.
Key Changes
In July 2026, the number of visitors reached 32,272, up from approximately 28,100 in June. However, the figure remained far below the 143,225 visitors recorded in July 2025. Declines were also evident in major markets. Cuba received 127,645 visitors from Canada, 350,737 fewer than during the same period a year earlier. The figures for Russia, the United States, and Mexico were 21,374, 37,351, and 19,828, respectively.
62.8% refers to the ‘decline rate,’ while 37.2% refers to the ‘remaining level compared with the same period a year earlier.’
Cuba’s downward trend also continued in 2025. International visitors totaled 1,810,663 in 2025, approximately 18% fewer than in 2024. The January–July 2026 figures show that this trend has intensified.
Current Status
In the accommodation sector, Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero said in parliament in July 2026 that 73% of hotel facilities were closed and approximately 25,000 hotel workers were unable to perform their normal duties. According to reports citing the Cuban government, seven international hotel chains had withdrawn, and the rooms they managed represented 46% of the total.
Meliá Hotels International disclosed to the CNMV that it would end all hotel management and commercialization services in Cuba from July 24, 2026. In the aviation sector, WestJet announced that it was suspending all flights to Cuba indefinitely because of the country’s current operating environment. The UK government’s travel advice also reports suspensions by some airlines, including all Canadian airlines as well as Air France, Iberia, World2Fly, and LATAM on routes to Cuba.
Impact
The available data shows that visitor demand and air and accommodation operations in Cuba are contracting at the same time. However, public information alone cannot establish a single cause for the decline in visitors, nor should it be interpreted to mean that all flights and accommodation facilities nationwide have ceased operations.
For travelers, the key issue is not simply whether travel is possible, but whether their specific flight route and accommodation are actually operating. Policies may differ by airline, and hotel operating status may vary by property.
Next Checks
Anyone planning a trip to Cuba should recheck the following immediately before booking and departure:
- Whether the chosen airline is operating its Cuba route and any notices concerning changes or cancellations
- The actual operating status of the booked hotel and the entity responsible for its management and commercialization
- The latest fuel- and flight-related information in official travel advice, including guidance from the UK government
These figures are based on information checked on September 2, 2026. Flight and accommodation operations can change quickly, so travelers should reconfirm details through official channels immediately before departure.