Following the indefinite suspension of Sunwing Vacations' Cuba program, Canadian travel bookings to the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and various Caribbean and Central American destinations have surged. This shift was highlighted in new data released Thursday by Canada's leading vacation operator to Cuba.
Sunwing halted its Cuban operations on June 5 without a set date for resumption. The company previously transported over half of all Canadian travelers to Cuba's tourist hotspots during the winter season.
Dominican Republic and Mexico: The New Favorites
The Dominican Republic has emerged as the primary beneficiary, witnessing a 50% year-over-year increase in bookings. Within this market, Puerto Plata leads with a 60% growth, while Samaná also shows substantial gains due to expanded air services and new lodging options.
Mexico has captured roughly a quarter of the demand redirected from Cuba. Although Cancún remains Sunwing's most booked destination, Mazatlán has experienced the largest individual surge, with reservations soaring more than 70% compared to the previous year. Cozumel is also gaining popularity among travelers seeking value options.
Shifting Travel Trends
Other destinations are absorbing the remaining redirected flow. Bookings to Liberia, Costa Rica, have doubled year-over-year; Río Hato in Panama saw a 35% increase; and Freeport in the Bahamas enjoyed a more than 20% rise.
"Canadian travelers are quite mindful of their tourism spending, and value continues to be a decisive factor in choosing a destination," stated Deana Murphy, Vice President of Sales and Business Development at Sunwing Vacations. "We are observing a trend where clients prefer destinations that offer a good balance of price, resort quality, and the hospitality they highly value."
Political and Economic Impacts
The suspension of Sunwing coincided with Washington's deadline for foreign companies to sever ties with GAESA, the Cuban military conglomerate that controls much of the island's tourism and finances, under threat of U.S. Treasury sanctions.
Following this deadline, major Canadian airlines—Air Canada, WestJet, and Air Transat—also indefinitely halted all flights to Cuba.
The impact on Cuban tourism has been catastrophic. In March 2026, only 511 Canadians visited the island, compared to 98,663 in the same month of 2025, a staggering 99.48% drop.
Between January and April, Cuba welcomed just 328,608 international visitors, down 55.8% from 2025, with hotel occupancy rates not exceeding 10%.
In stark contrast, the Dominican Republic attracted 6.5 times more tourists than Cuba in January 2026, and Mexico closed 2025 with a record 47.8 million visitors.
Murphy acknowledged Cuba's historical significance to the company, yet she refrained from announcing any plans for a return. "Cuba has been a significant part of Sunwing's history for many years, and we remain optimistic about the destination's future and the communities that have long welcomed Canadian visitors."
Key Questions About Canadian Travel Shifts
Why did Sunwing suspend its operations in Cuba?
Sunwing suspended its operations in Cuba due to the deadline set by the U.S. government for foreign companies to end their associations with GAESA, the Cuban military conglomerate involved in tourism and finance, under threat of sanctions from the U.S. Treasury.
Which destinations have Canadian tourists favored following the suspension?
Following the suspension, Canadian tourists have increasingly favored the Dominican Republic and Mexico, with significant growth in bookings to Puerto Plata, Samaná, Mazatlán, and Cozumel, among others.
How has the suspension affected Cuban tourism?
The suspension has severely impacted Cuban tourism, with a dramatic decrease in Canadian visitors and overall international arrivals, along with low hotel occupancy rates.