Miguel Díaz-Canel unveiled a series of economic reforms this past Friday, placing a strong emphasis on revitalizing Cuba's tourism industry. He candidly acknowledged that the nation could no longer rely solely on major international hotel chains, many of which have exited the island due to sanctions imposed by the Trump administration.
The Cuban leader's remarks were published in the Buenos Días Magazine as part of the Economic and Social Program for 2026. These comments come at a time when most of the country's hotels remain closed and unoccupied.
Addressing the tourism sector, Díaz-Canel stated, "We have a new perspective on tourism given the current constraints. We are introducing fresh modalities with new players to fully utilize the existing infrastructure. At this moment, we can’t focus only on large hotel chains, especially when many have pulled out due to pressure from the United States."
The Decline of Cuban Tourism
Between January and April 2026, Cuba welcomed just 328,608 tourists, marking a sharp 55.8% decline compared to the same timeframe in 2025. Hotel occupancy had already dwindled to a mere 18.9% in 2025.
The exodus of international operators intensified following the June 5 deadline set by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for foreign companies to cut ties with GAESA, the military conglomerate overseeing 70% of Cuba's economy.
Hotel chains like Meliá halted operations in 15 hotels, Iberostar withdrew from 12 out of its 18 establishments, and Blue Diamond Resorts left behind 62 hotels with over 12,900 rooms.
Meliá acknowledged that "the vast majority of the hotels are currently closed and inactive due to energy issues and declining demand."
Opening the Doors to New Investors
To fill this void, the regime is considering opening the tourism sector to Cuban residents, the diaspora, and investors from countries without ties to the U.S. financial system.
Díaz-Canel had previously invited emigrants to invest in and manage hotels during an interview with the Spanish outlet elDiario.es on June 5. "There will be hotels that we'll need to operate more under Cuban management rather than in partnership with foreign entities. We're also exploring different business models, encouraging Cubans interested in investing and managing hotels. We're open to this."
On May 5, the Official Gazette published Decree-Law 117/2026, which formally established the migration status of "Investors and Business" for Cubans residing abroad.
Beyond Tourism: A Broader Reform Agenda
The reforms announced on Friday extend beyond tourism. Díaz-Canel discussed municipal autonomy, state enterprises operating independently of external interference, electronic invoicing, electric mobility, and renewable energy sources. Addressing the energy crisis, he revealed that only one oil tanker had arrived in Cuba over the past five months.
The Cuban leader added that he can't fully disclose his plans: "We can't reveal everything so plainly because the enemy is monitoring our every move."
Critics point out that the absence of concrete legal guarantees, institutional opacity, and historical distrust from the exiled community make it challenging for these proposals to translate into tangible investments.
Meanwhile, a Cubatur representative admitted on Tuesday that "tourists are afraid to visit Cuba."
Understanding Cuba's Tourism Challenges
Why have international hotel chains left Cuba?
Many international hotel chains have exited Cuba due to sanctions imposed by the Trump administration, which pressured foreign companies to sever ties with Cuban military-controlled enterprises like GAESA.
What are the new opportunities for Cuban residents and diaspora in the tourism sector?
The Cuban government is inviting Cuban residents and diaspora to invest in and manage hotels, aiming to fill the gap left by departing international chains and diversify the tourism industry's management.