The sharp decline in Canadian tourism to Cuba is evident in the sales figures of Durham Travel, a travel agency located in Courtice, Ontario, just east of Toronto.
In 2025, the agency reported over 389,000 Canadian dollars in travel sales to Cuba, but that number has plummeted to just 24,000 dollars so far in 2026, according to a report by The Canadian Press published on Saturday, November 7.
The shift in sales to the Dominican Republic presents a stark contrast. Durham Travel's sales to this destination increased from around one million Canadian dollars in 2025 to nearly 1.3 million in the current year.
"The Dominican Republic seems to have absorbed most of the gap left by Cuba," stated John Wood, president of Durham Travel.
Statistics Canada data illustrates the shrinking Canadian market. Before the pandemic, over a million Canadians visited Cuba annually. By 2025, this number had dropped to about 700,000, and in the first quarter of 2026, only 127,000 Canadians made the trip to the island, according to figures cited by The Canadian Press.
The situation worsened at the start of 2026 when aviation fuel shortages at Cuban airports led to the suspension of flights from airlines like Air Canada, Air Transat, and WestJet. Initially temporary, these disruptions extended into indefinite suspensions of services to Cuba.
On June 5, Sunwing Vacations Group announced an indefinite suspension of all its operations in Cuba. This announcement coincided with the expiration of a deadline set by Washington for foreign companies to cut ties with entities linked to the military conglomerate GAESA to avoid potential U.S. sanctions.
The impact on Cuba's tourism infrastructure has been significant. By the end of July, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz acknowledged before the National Assembly that 73% of the country's hotel facilities were closed, with about 25,000 workers on standby.
In October, Gaviota Tourism Group, part of GAESA, had only 3,470 rooms operational out of the more than 30,000 it claimed to own, equating to just 11.6% of its lodging capacity.
Opting for other destinations means a higher cost for Canadians accustomed to vacationing in Cuba. A seven-day package at a four-star resort in Varadero, including a flight from Toronto, was under 1,400 Canadian dollars per person last winter season. A comparable trip to Mexico, the Dominican Republic, or Jamaica now costs around 1,800 dollars, according to Flight Centre Canada data.
Wood noted that many of his regular Cuba clients were budget-conscious travelers who visited the island three to five times a year thanks to its affordable prices. "Now they can't do that," he lamented.
Ashley Harold, an agent with Flight Centre Canada, pointed out that travelers are now spreading their bookings across various destinations. "There is no new Cuba. Canadians are allocating their winter travel among a much broader mix of destinations and types of trips," she explained.
Alternatives include Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Aruba, and Barbados, as well as Caribbean cruises and tours to countries like Costa Rica and Peru.
Some Canadians are also opting for tourist spots within their own country. Harold noted that Mexico remains the top choice among Flight Centre Canada's clients despite its higher prices.
The Canadian government maintains its advisory against non-essential travel to Cuba due to shortages of fuel, electricity, food, water, and medicines, which also impact the services at resorts and ground transportation.
Harold warned that travelers accustomed to Cuba's pricing will need to adjust their financial expectations before booking vacations elsewhere.
Impact of Travel Decline on Cuba's Tourism Industry
What has caused the decline in Canadian tourism to Cuba?
The decline is attributed to aviation fuel shortages, leading to suspended flights from major Canadian airlines, and the influence of U.S. sanctions on foreign companies associated with Cuba's military conglomerate.
How has the tourism infrastructure in Cuba been affected?
Cuba's tourism infrastructure has been severely impacted, with 73% of hotel facilities closed and a significant reduction in operational lodging capacity.
What alternatives are Canadians considering for their vacations?
Canadians are exploring various destinations such as Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Caribbean cruises, among others.
Why is the Canadian government advising against travel to Cuba?
The advisory is due to critical shortages in fuel, electricity, food, water, and medicines, affecting both service quality at resorts and ground transportation.