The severe tourism crisis in Cuba is forcing European tour operators to gradually withdraw from the island, redirecting their operations towards other Caribbean destinations such as the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Venezuela.
According to a report from Infobae, based on data from Hosteltur, European tour operators that have long promoted Cuba as a sun-and-sand destination are now steering their clients towards the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and, quite unexpectedly, Venezuela.
A New Caribbean Favorite
One of the most striking examples is World2Fly, an airline part of the Iberostar group, which plans to launch a weekly charter flight between Lisbon and Margarita Island starting June 1, 2027, offering 355 seats per trip.
The travel packages, marketed by Newblue—World2Meet group's tour operator focusing on the Portuguese market—start at 1,490 euros per person for an all-inclusive stay at four and five-star hotels.
Replacing Varadero with Margarita
Margarita Island's selection is no accident; the Venezuelan location is directly replacing Varadero, which was part of Newblue's catalog for the summer of 2026 before Cuba's crisis led to the route's cancellation. The same Iberostar group had already shut down the hotels it managed in Cuba, and in May, World2Fly ended its only connection to the island, the Madrid–Havana route.
Meanwhile, Iberia has suspended its direct flights to Cuba until at least June 30, 2027. The airline stopped operating the route on June 1, 2026, following months of technical refueling stops in Santo Domingo due to the shortage of Jet A-1 fuel at Cuban airports.
The Growing Impact on Cuban Tourism
Ten Cuban airports, including Havana, Varadero, Holguín, and Santiago de Cuba, continue to issue official fuel shortage notices until December 1, 2026, as reported by notifications from the Cuban Air Navigation Company.
Soltour, another tour operator, has also shifted its offerings. CEO Mateo Ramón told Hosteltur that they were "relocating travelers to both Caribbean destinations [the Dominican Republic and Jamaica], with positive demand responses."
The impact on Cuban tourism is unprecedented. Cuba welcomed only 477,707 international visitors between January and September 2026, marking a 65.1% decline compared to the same period the previous year.
Economic Consequences
Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz acknowledged in July that 73% of hotel facilities were closed, leaving around 25,000 workers without regular employment.
Gaviota, the tourism division of the military conglomerate GAESA, had only 3,470 rooms operational out of more than 30,000 under its control as of November, while the regime continued constructing hotels despite plummeting demand.
The geopolitical paradox is striking: Venezuela, a historic ally and major financier of the Cuban regime through subsidized oil, is now the primary beneficiary of Cuba's tourism collapse.
Venezuela's government reported receiving 419,872 foreign passengers by air between January and July 2026, according to its Ministry of Tourism. In September, Minister Daniella Cabello met with representatives from Sunwing Vacation Group to explore Margarita's return to Canadian tourism circuits, which had once been Cuba's primary market.
On Wednesday, the first charter flight from Poland arrived in Porlamar with 333 tourists from Katowice, part of a program that anticipates 21 flights and over 7,500 European visitors by March 2027. Additionally, Copa Airlines announced direct Panama–Porlamar flights starting November 26, with three weekly frequencies.
Air Europa remains the only Spanish airline maintaining direct flights to Cuba, offering four weekly Madrid–Havana routes, albeit with a technical refueling stop in Santo Domingo on the return leg. During the holiday season, round-trip tickets could exceed 1,400 euros.
Key Questions About Cuba's Tourism Crisis
Why are European tour operators leaving Cuba?
The challenging economic conditions and significant fuel shortages in Cuba are making it difficult for operators to maintain their routes, prompting them to redirect tourists to other Caribbean destinations.
What impact has the crisis had on Cuba's tourism industry?
Cuba has seen a dramatic 65.1% decrease in international visitors, with most hotel facilities closed and thousands of workers without regular employment.
How is Venezuela benefiting from Cuba's tourism decline?
Venezuela, specifically Margarita Island, is attracting tourists redirected from Cuba, with increased flights and new partnerships with tour operators.