Joan Trian Riu, an executive director at Riu Hotels & Resorts, issued a cautionary statement to Caribbean tourist destinations this week. He noted that while Cuba is currently "out of play," it is poised to re-enter the competition for international travelers.
In an exclusive interview with the Dominican outlet Arecoa.com, Riu's remarks highlight a warning for an industry observing Cuba's decline as other Caribbean locations attract more visitors.
Representing the fourth generation of the founding family of the chain with the largest number of rooms in Cancun, Riu candidly outlined the competitors for the Dominican Republic in the regional market: Mexico, Jamaica, the smaller Caribbean islands, and, eventually, Cuba.
"Cuba is also there... we'll see what happens with Cuba. Right now, it's out of play, but it will get back into tourism at some point," Trian Riu stated.
The Collapse of Cuba's Tourism Sector
From January to September 2026, Cuba received just 477,707 international visitors, a staggering 65.1% drop compared to the same period the previous year. In July, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz admitted that 73% of the country's hotels were closed, leaving about 25,000 workers without regular employment.
The decline accelerated following a series of U.S. sanctions. Executive Order 14404, signed by Trump on May 1, 2026, targeted entities tied to GAESA, the military conglomerate controlling much of Cuba's tourism infrastructure.
Subsequent actions saw Washington sanction Cuba's Ministry of Tourism directly on July 13. As secondary sanctions loomed, major international chains withdrew from Cuba: Iberostar on July 21, Meliá on July 24, and Barceló shortly thereafter.
As Cuba Stalls, Other Destinations Thrive
In contrast, the Dominican Republic welcomed over 8.5 million visitors between January and August 2026, marking a 6.9% increase over the same period the previous year. This figure includes 6.61 million tourists arriving by air and 1.95 million cruise passengers. Punta Cana achieved a hotel occupancy rate of 88.2% in the first half of 2026. Riu operates five hotels in the area, boasting over 4,500 rooms and employing more than 3,800 workers.
Trian Riu acknowledged that some of this influx is due to challenges elsewhere: "Surely some of these visitors have chosen the Dominican Republic because of the less favorable situations in other Caribbean destinations."
Nonetheless, the executive warned that this advantage is not permanent and emphasized the need for the Dominican Republic to focus on concrete improvements.
"The future of the Dominican Republic is bright, but it must invest in quality, cleanliness, safety, and infrastructure," he pointed out.
Cuba reached a record 4.7 million tourists in 2018. However, it ended 2025 with only 1.81 million, the lowest level in over two decades outside of the pandemic. In 2026, the decline reached unprecedented depths.
Understanding Cuba's Decline in Tourism
What caused the decline in Cuba's tourism sector?
The decline in Cuba's tourism sector was accelerated by U.S. sanctions, notably Executive Order 14404, targeting entities linked to GAESA, and direct sanctions on Cuba's Ministry of Tourism.
How has the Dominican Republic benefited from Cuba's tourism decline?
The Dominican Republic has seen increased visitor numbers, surpassing 8.5 million between January and August 2026, partly due to travelers choosing it over other Caribbean destinations facing challenges.
What factors are crucial for the Dominican Republic's continued tourism success?
To sustain its tourism success, the Dominican Republic must focus on maintaining quality, cleanliness, safety, and robust infrastructure.