Cuba’s hotels sit empty as US pressure campaign drives tourists away
Cuba’s hotels sit empty as US pressure campaign drives tourists away
Cuba s hotels sit empty as US – Cuba, once a hub of vibrant tourism, now finds itself in a state of quiet despair. The island’s iconic white-sand beaches and historic Spanish colonial forts remain untouched by visitors, whose numbers have dwindled dramatically in recent months. This decline is not merely a seasonal fluctuation but a severe and prolonged collapse, driven by relentless US sanctions and economic measures that have left the nation struggling to sustain its tourism infrastructure. What was once a thriving industry now appears to be a ghost town, with hotels, restaurants, and attractions left unoccupied and underutilized.
A Crisis of Supply and Demand
The economic woes of Cuba began with the Trump administration’s aggressive sanctions, which targeted the country’s financial system and restricted its ability to trade with foreign partners. These measures, combined with a military strike in January 2026 against Venezuela—a former ally—disrupted critical oil supplies to the island. The oil blockade that followed further destabilized the economy, causing shortages and service breakdowns that have pushed the tourism sector into a deep freeze. Without reliable fuel, air carriers have canceled flights, and without steady supplies of goods, hotels and restaurants have struggled to keep their doors open.
Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best-preserved examples of Spanish colonial architecture in the Americas, has become a symbol of the crisis. The historic plaza, once bustling with activity, now echoes with silence. Elio, a musician who has performed traditional Cuban music for nearly three decades in the area, described the scene with a mix of resignation and sorrow. “There are no tourists,” he said. “Maybe they are at home. One comes by only every half hour or hour.” He chose to withhold his last name, fearing repercussions from speaking to foreign media.
“There are no tourists,” said Elio. “Maybe they are at home. One comes by only every half hour or hour.”
Declining Numbers and Regional Comparisons
According to Cuban government statistics, the number of tourists visiting the island in the first five months of 2026 has plummeted to 360,000—a staggering 58% decrease compared to the same period in 2025. This stark contrast highlights the severity of the crisis, as neighboring countries like the Dominican Republic have welcomed over 3.6 million visitors in the same timeframe. The disparity underscores the impact of US economic pressure on Cuba’s tourism industry, which had long been its primary source of foreign income.
The Trump administration’s strategy of isolating Cuba through sanctions has left the nation in a precarious position. By targeting foreign companies that engage with the Cuban military, which oversees much of the tourism sector, the US has accelerated the departure of international hotel chains. This has not only reduced the availability of accommodations but also disrupted the flow of tourists who relied on these establishments for their visits. The ongoing restrictions have made it difficult for Cubans to access the resources needed to support their own businesses, compounding the challenges faced by the economy.
Trump’s Strategy and Its Consequences
In an interview with Axios in June 2026, former President Donald Trump compared Cuba’s tourism potential to Venezuela’s oil reserves, emphasizing the strategic value of the island as a target for economic pressure. “Venezuela has oil. Cuba doesn’t. Cuba has a nice property and they have nice shoreline,” he remarked, suggesting that further measures, including military action, could be on the table to force concessions from the Cuban government. This rhetoric has reinforced the perception that Cuba’s tourism sector is a casualty of broader geopolitical conflict.
The pandemic had already dealt a blow to Cuba’s tourism economy, reducing visitor numbers and straining the hospitality industry. However, the US sanctions have made the recovery nearly impossible. Travelers are now hesitant to visit a country that feels increasingly isolated, with limited access to essential goods and services. “Who would want to travel to a country in such dire straits?” Lucy Davies, director of UK-based tour operator Cubania Travel, asked. “People are prepared to have some discomfort on their holiday. But it becomes kind of dark tourism to go somewhere like Cuba at the moment.”
“Who would want to travel to a country in such dire straits? People are prepared to have some discomfort on their holiday. But it becomes kind of dark tourism to go somewhere like Cuba at the moment.”
Davies has taken it upon herself to address the crisis in a different way. She has launched an initiative to collect donations from past clients and supporters of Cuban communities, channeling resources into food aid for those struggling with shortages. The program not only helps provide relief but also offers employment to local staff who have been left without work due to the decline in tourism. “I kept hearing about people who were struggling to find food,” she said. “We’re not going to be able to help everyone. It’ll be a drop in the ocean, but this is what we can do.”
Reforms and Uncertain Prospects
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has acknowledged the challenges and introduced a series of reforms aimed at revitalizing the tourism sector. In June 2026, he announced that Cubans—both on the island and abroad—could take over the management of government-owned hotels as part of a broader effort to stimulate the economy. “We are open to Cubans who want to invest and manage hotels,” Díaz-Canel stated, signaling a shift toward greater private sector involvement.
However, skepticism remains. Pedro Monreal, a Cuban economist based in Spain, doubts that the fledgling private sector can replace the role of international hotel chains. “It is unrealistic to expect that Cubans—whether in exile or on the island—could take the place of hotel chains,” he said. “The infrastructure and expertise required to operate large-scale tourism businesses have been eroded over years of sanctions and economic stagnation.”
Despite these efforts, the road to recovery seems long. The Cuban government’s decision to retain full ownership of hotels under current law means that private operators will have to navigate a complex regulatory landscape. The situation has also forced the island’s citizens to adapt, with many taking on roles in hospitality or other sectors to compensate for the loss of foreign tourists. Yet, without a significant easing of US economic pressure, the outlook for the tourism industry remains bleak.
Cuba’s once-thriving tourism sector, which had been a cornerstone of its economy for decades, now sits in a state of limbo. The nation has invested heavily in new hotels over the past decade, believing that tourism would be the key to economic revival. But as these structures remain empty, the dream of a tourism-driven recovery appears increasingly out of reach. The crisis has not only affected businesses but also the daily lives of Cubans, who rely on tourism-related jobs for their livelihoods. The question now is whether the current measures will continue to drive people away—or if Cuba can find a way to rebuild its appeal in the face of sustained economic pressure.