The combined pressures of an energy crisis and a decline in tourism have forced several hotels across Cuba to temporarily shut down, as international airlines and tour operators scramble to implement contingency plans amid a shortage of aviation fuel.
The Cuban government has admitted that the nation currently lacks adequate fuel supplies to support international airlines, a predicament that could last at least a month and affects all major airports across the island.
Simultaneously, officials from the tourism sector have confirmed hotel closures and guest relocations as part of a "consolidation" strategy designed to cut down on energy usage during peak tourist season.
Hotels Shutting Down: Affected Properties
The Canadian tour operator Transat has informed its travel agents of the following hotel closures as of February 6:
Cayo Santa María (SNU): Valentín Perla Blanca, Sol Cayo Santa María, Meliá Buenavista
Cayo Coco / Cayo Guillermo (CCC): Iberostar Origin Playa Pilar, Gran Muthu Imperial Cayo Guillermo, Iberostar Origin Daiquirí, Tryp Cayo Coco, Hotel Mojito
Varadero (VRA): Hotel El Patriarca
Holguín (HOG): Gran Muthu Ensenada
Additionally, Spanish hotel chain Meliá has reduced its available accommodations on the island, aligning them with current occupancy rates and supply constraints.
Airlines Halt Flights Due to Fuel Scarcity
The aviation fuel shortage has triggered a domino effect in the Canadian market, Cuba's primary source of tourists.
Air Canada has announced the immediate suspension of its flights and will dispatch empty planes to repatriate approximately 3,000 tourists currently in Cuba. Seasonal routes have been canceled, and regular services are suspended until further notice, with potential resumption starting May 1.
Air Transat has paused its flights to Cuba until April 30 and is organizing return flights for its clients.
WestJet, along with its affiliates Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations, has canceled all operations to Cuba. For tour packages, customers can either cancel or modify, but a hotel penalty fee of $200 per person may apply under certain conditions.
Iberia, meanwhile, is closely monitoring the situation and has relaxed fare policies for voluntary changes, though it does not currently anticipate cancellations on the Madrid-Havana route.
Flexible Policies for Travelers
In response to hotel closures and operational uncertainties, several tour operators have relaxed their policies.
Transat is allowing changes in travel dates, hotels, or destinations without penalty for trips planned between February 7 and April 30 at affected facilities. Customers also have the option of receiving a credit valid for one year.
Air Canada Vacations offers no-charge modifications for specific periods and the option to receive a future travel credit.
WestJet and Sunwing have also announced fee waivers for changes, although some packages maintain the hotel penalty fee.
A Blow to a Struggling Tourism Sector
The energy crisis has worsened following the loss of regular Venezuelan oil supplies, amid tightened U.S. sanctions and President Donald Trump's warnings about potential tariffs on countries supplying oil to the island.
Cuba ended 2025 with just 1.8 million international visitors and an average hotel occupancy rate of 21.5% in the first half of the year, figures that fall far short of official targets.
While the regime continues to portray tourism as an economic engine, millions of Cubans face daily power outages lasting up to 20 hours, inflation, and shortages of food and fuel.
The closure of hotels and flight suspensions reveal that the crisis is no longer temporary but structural, directly impacting one of the few sectors still generating foreign exchange for the country.
FAQs on Cuba's Tourism and Energy Crisis
What are the main reasons for the hotel closures in Cuba?
The primary reasons for hotel closures in Cuba are the ongoing energy crisis and a significant drop in tourism, which have forced authorities to implement strategies to conserve energy.
How are airlines responding to the fuel shortage in Cuba?
Airlines such as Air Canada, Air Transat, and WestJet have suspended flights to Cuba due to the fuel shortage, with plans to resume services depending on the situation. Some airlines are arranging flights to repatriate stranded tourists.
What options are available for travelers affected by the hotel closures?
Travelers affected by the closures have the option to change their travel dates, hotels, or destinations without penalty. Some tour operators are also offering future travel credits.