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Cuba is fighting against the tourism crisis: blockade hits the dream island hard!
The article highlights the challenges facing Cuban tourism in 2025, including US blockades, a decline in visitor numbers and new travel restrictions.
Cuba is fighting against the tourism crisis: blockade hits the dream island hard!
The Cuban tourism industry faces significant challenges compounded by an intensified US blockade, negative media campaigns and harassment of travelers. The appeal of vintage cars dotting Cuba's streets contrasts with the difficulties facing the Cuban economy. This industry is an important source of foreign currency, but also an Achilles heel for the country. According to reports from Young world Only 571,772 international guests came to Cuba in the first quarter of 2025, a decrease of 30% compared to the previous year. The target of 2.6 million visitors this year has therefore become a long way off.
Immediately after Donald Trump took office, Cuba was again placed on the US list of “terror-supporting states”, which placed a significant strain on international relations and access to peripheral financial transactions. This measure not only has a negative impact on tourism, but also causes problems with the use of important platforms such as Airbnb. Since February 2025, Cuban hosts have no longer been able to use the online portal, and Expedia has also announced that it will no longer accept bookings to Cuba.
Court ruling against Expedia
A federal court in Florida recently handed down a ruling against Expedia Group, dealing another major blow to the Cuban tourism sector. Loud Ciber Cuba Cuban-American plaintiff Mario Echevarría was awarded $29.8 million. The ruling is the first of its kind under the Helms-Burton Act and represents a victory for plaintiffs who can seek damages from companies trading in property confiscated by the Cuban government.
Echevarría had asserted the right to compensation for lost ownership of land in Cayo Coco that was expropriated under the Agrarian Reform Law in 1959. Expedia's affected companies, including Hotels.com and Orbitz, were held responsible for booking hotels on this expropriated land. The jury found that the companies obtained economic benefits without verifying ownership. Expedia could potentially appeal the ruling, but official confirmation is still pending.
Effective measures and optimism from the government
Despite these setbacks, the Cuban government remains optimistic. New concepts and partnerships are on the agenda to revitalize the tourism industry. Direct flights between Cuba and Germany are also planned from November 2025, aiming to further increase the number of visitors. Cuba remains a fascinating travel destination due to its cultural and historical diversity and impressive natural destinations, and expectations for a recovery in tourism numbers remain.