Havana, Cuba — The Caribbean island nation, known for its pristine beaches and historic Spanish colonial architecture, is facing a tourism crisis. Hotels that once bustled with international visitors now sit vacant, and the streets of Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are eerily quiet. The Trump administration’s intensified sanctions have driven away tourists, leaving the economy in a tailspin.
According to Cuban government statistics, only 360,000 tourists visited in the first five months of 2026 — a 58% drop from the same period in 2025. In contrast, the Dominican Republic welcomed over 10 times that number. The sanctions, including an oil blockade and restrictions on foreign companies dealing with the Cuban military, have crippled the tourism sector.
Local musicians like Elio, a guitarist who has performed in Old Havana for nearly 30 years, lament the absence of visitors. “There are no tourists,” he said. “Maybe they are at home. One comes by only every half hour or hour.”
Many international hotel chains have abandoned the island, and tour operators such as Cubania Travel have suspended trips indefinitely. Lucy Davies, director of Cubania, described the situation as “dark tourism.” Her company now focuses on fundraising to provide food aid to Cubans affected by the crisis.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel recently announced reforms allowing Cubans, including those living abroad, to manage state-owned hotels. However, economist Pedro Monreal expressed skepticism, noting that the private sector lacks the capital and expertise to replace major hotel chains.
The government’s heavy investment in tourism infrastructure, at the expense of health, education, and agriculture, has backfired. Empty hotels now symbolize the collapse of an industry once seen as Cuba’s economic lifeline.
