The Cuban government has initiated the closure of several hotels across the island and is relocating tourists to different facilities in response to a severe fuel shortage, as confirmed by industry sources to EFE this Saturday.
During a broadcast on the Mesa Redonda, Vice Prime Minister Óscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga characterized the move as a "consolidation" of the tourism sector aimed at lowering energy consumption while capitalizing on the peak tourist season.
On state television, Pérez-Oliva Fraga stated, "A plan has been devised in the tourism sector to minimize energy use, consolidate tourist facilities, and make the most of the high season."
Although the official did not provide specifics on the extent of this consolidation, anonymous sources in the industry disclosed to EFE that, starting Friday, hotels are being shuttered, and international tourists are being reassigned to other lodgings.
The impact predominantly affects properties located in Varadero and the northern cays of the nation, according to these sources.
In an additional report, a tourism worker, speaking anonymously, confirmed to CiberCuba that in Varadero, employees are expected to work seven consecutive days followed by a seven-day rest period. During their working days, they are housed in a nearby hotel due to the lack of fuel needed for commuting home.
The crisis in Cuban tourism was underscored in 2025 when the sector recorded only 1.8 million international visitors. In the first half of the year, hotel occupancy rates saw an annual decline of seven percentage points, dropping to 21.5%, based on official data.
According to government statistics, Canada (754,010 visitors) and Russia (131,882) were the leading sources of tourists in 2025, with year-over-year decreases of 12.4% and 29%, respectively.
Since mid-2025, the Cuban government has intensified its efforts to sustain the tourism industry amidst an unprecedented energy crisis. In May of that year, the regime launched a media campaign to enhance the sector's image, portraying it as a crucial economic driver and a source of stability.
However, while official propaganda lauded the benefits of tourism, millions of Cubans struggled with power outages lasting up to 20 hours a day, rampant inflation, and food shortages, highlighting the stark disparity between resources allocated to hotels and the population's dire needs.
Despite official announcements, the so-called "tourism consolidation" appears less like a strategy for efficiency and more like a desperate attempt to prop up an industry that has long been underperforming.
Impact of Fuel Shortages on Cuban Tourism
What has led to the closure of hotels in Cuba?
The Cuban government has closed several hotels due to an acute fuel shortage, which has compelled them to consolidate tourism facilities and relocate visitors.
How is the Cuban tourism industry performing?
Cuba's tourism industry has been struggling, with only 1.8 million international visitors in 2025 and a hotel occupancy rate declining to 21.5% in the first half of the year.
What actions has the Cuban government taken to support tourism?
The government has launched media campaigns to improve the image of tourism and attempted to sustain the sector despite severe energy challenges.