Tourism Collapse in Cuba Leaves 300,000 Workers Without Income

Cuba's tourism industry has plummeted to unprecedented depths following the petroleum blockade imposed by the Trump administration, leaving approximately 300,000 workers in the sector jobless, without income, and struggling for basic necessities, as reported by the British newspaper The Guardian from Havana this Sunday.

In March 2026, the island welcomed merely 35,561 visitors in total, according to the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), most of whom were Cuban emigrants visiting family.

Jim Hepple, from the Aruba-based consultancy Tourism Analytics, highlighted the severity of the downturn: "One could argue that the number of leisure tourists was between 20,000 and 25,000, while in March 2025, the figure would have been between 170,000 and 180,000."

This dramatic decline contrasts sharply with the record high of nearly five million visitors in 2018 when tourism was one of the regime's primary revenue sources.

The Impact of the Petroleum Blockade

The petroleum blockade, directly resulting from the capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026, left airlines without fuel to refuel on the island. Tour operators from Canada, Spain, and Russia withdrew, along with numerous regular airlines. As the last planes departed in February, returning tourists recounted hotel staff weeping as they were laid off.

The situation for those who lost their jobs is dire. A former hotel waiter was found chopping wood near the sanctuary of the Virgin of Charity of Cobre. Shaking his head, he asked, "What breakfast? What lunch?" according to the British media.

The regime, unable to provide real solutions, suggested relocating tourism workers to garbage collection or agricultural tasks, infuriating professionals with university education.

Escalating Tensions with the U.S.

Last Friday, Donald Trump extended sanctions against the island, targeting foreign companies doing business with Havana, and threatened to deploy the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier "within a hundred yards of the coast." The previous day, he signed a new executive order freezing all assets linked to the Cuban regime in the United States, including those of GAESA, the military conglomerate controlling between 40% and 70% of the island's formal economy.

In the past two weeks, U.S. surveillance aircraft have flown over the island, reminiscent of events in Venezuela before Maduro's capture. Trump has repeatedly hinted that Cuba could be his next target.

Tourists Maintain a Presence

Despite the collapse, a small number of visitors continue to arrive. A group of German tourists was seen exploring a market in Havana's El Vedado neighborhood. "We booked a long time ago. We worked hard all year and wanted our vacation. So far, everything is fine. We trust in God," said Nicole, a social enterprise executive from Trier.

Some in the tourism sector are trying to remain optimistic. Katya Bleszynska, co-author of the Lonely Planet guide to Cuba, stated: "I think it's a fantastic time to come. There are very good local businesses and private hotels that really want to welcome their clients. Just make sure to plan and adjust your expectations."

Others are more cautious. Alissa Scheer, a German content creator promoting Havana's nightlife, admitted: "When I arrived, I loved the spontaneity. You could meet a friend and spend the whole night partying. That still exists, but much less."

Meanwhile, the humanitarian impact of the crisis extends far beyond tourism. More than 55% of the territory experiences blackouts lasting up to 25 hours a day, 96,000 Cubans await surgery, and a million people rely on tanker trucks for drinking water.

Parallel to the collapse of conventional tourism, the regime has turned to so-called ideological tourism, receiving a convoy of 650 activists from 33 countries in March and, on April 26, a second group from Italy, while Cuban workers still wonder what they will eat tomorrow.