Cuba's tourism industry has seen a sharp decline, leaving hotels, restaurants, and museums largely empty across the island [1].

The slump threatens a critical source of foreign currency for the Caribbean nation. As the sector fails to recover, the lack of visitors exacerbates an existing domestic economic collapse.

In Havana and the beach resort of Varadero, streets that were once bustling with international crowds are now quiet [1], [2]. The decline is attributed to a deep economic crisis characterized by severe shortages and frequent power blackouts [1], [3]. These conditions, combined with the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, have crippled the ability of the tourism sector to attract and sustain foreign guests [1], [3].

Visitors who do travel to the island have noted the scarcity of other tourists. One Colombian visitor, aged 68 [4], said the crowds were diminished during his time in Cuba.

Local infrastructure continues to struggle under the weight of the crisis. The combination of energy instability and a lack of basic goods has made the destination less appealing to the international market [1], [2]. This downturn has been particularly evident since 2024, with the situation continuing to worsen throughout the following year [4].

“Hotels, restaurants, museums, and streets are largely empty”

The collapse of the tourism sector creates a dangerous feedback loop for the Cuban government. Because tourism is a primary driver of hard currency, the lack of visitors reduces the state's ability to import goods and maintain the power grid, which in turn further discourages the very tourists needed to stabilize the economy.