Cuban Tourism Prioritized Amidst Widespread Blackouts: Minister Defends Hotel Sector Focus

As millions of Cubans endure daily power outages and a lack of basic services, Cuba's Minister of Tourism, Juan Carlos García Granda, has publicly defended the prioritization of the hotel industry amidst the island's energy crisis. In a discussion with El País, García Granda asserted that power cuts do not impact tourism because hotels are equipped with their own generators, a result of significant state investment.

In 2024 alone, nearly 12% of public investments in Cuba were allocated to the hospitality and restaurant sectors, according to the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI). "Everyone knows that the economic benefits from this sector are meant to foster prosperity and mitigate the harshness of current times," García Granda declared, dismissing concerns over the stark contrast between the comfort provided to tourists and the widespread hardship experienced by Cubans.

The minister reiterated the official narrative that investments in tourism "benefit the people," a claim frequently contradicted by the daily realities on the island. García Granda attributed criticism of this inequality to "counterrevolutionary and slanderous campaigns." He maintained that the state ensures the energy consumption of the tourism sector does not necessarily reflect that of the general population, highlighting the clear disparity.

During the same interview, García addressed the challenges faced by Cuban tourism, noting the decline from 4.7 million visitors in 2017 to just 2.2 million in 2024. He blamed the pandemic and Cuba's designation as a sponsor of terrorism by the Trump administration, which affected even European tourists wary of future U.S. entry restrictions. However, he overlooked how the regime's economic crisis has severely worsened living conditions and infrastructure, key elements for attracting tourists beyond the "sun and beach" allure.

With the U.S. market largely stagnant, the regime is now turning its attention to tourists from nations such as Turkey, Russia, and especially China. "Attracting Chinese visitors benefits the entire region," García Granda stated, elaborating on a strategy featuring direct flights between Havana and Beijing, visa exemptions for Chinese citizens, and a regional visa proposal inspired by the Schengen model.

While visiting Colombia on a promotional tour, the minister announced a new air route between Barranquilla and Santiago de Cuba, set to start on July 3, coinciding with the Caribbean Festival. "Connecting a city like Santiago de Cuba directly can offer value and insight to Colombians," he remarked.

Regarding tensions with Washington, García expressed Cuba's willingness to maintain relations with the American public but blamed the U.S. government for hindering tourism. "Governments are wrong to restrict what should be freely decided by citizens," he criticized, labeling such restrictions as "irrational."

Unlike cities around the world debating their tourism models—such as Venice, New York, and the Canary Islands—the minister claimed that Cuba's tourism development is "science-based," citing beach conservation efforts through construction regulations near dunes. However, while García presents tourism as an economic lifeline, Cubans continue to suffer from blackouts, shortages, and long lines, witnessing the state's focus on hotels with reliable power while the country remains in darkness.

Despite setbacks in the sector, at the close of the recent International Tourism Fair (FITCuba), García expressed optimism about the tourism industry's recovery during the winter 2025-2026 season, despite a significant 29.7% drop in international visitor arrivals in the first quarter of the year. This statement is part of the regime's attempt to portray tourism as the nation's economic savior.