Cuba Vows Future Tourism Will Be More Resilient, Sustainable & Sovereign

Despite Air Canada, WestJet/Sunwing and Air Transat all extending the suspension of Cuba flights to “indefinitely” this week, the island’s tourism officials insist the country remains “firmly open for global tourism,” with attractions, hospitality infrastructure, and logistics “fully operational.”

The Cuba Tourist Board says executive orders signed by the U.S. President in January and May aim to restrict one of the country’s economic pillars by creating a lack of Jet A-1 aviation fuel at national airports and pressuring foreign entities operating on the island. 

“Consequently, several foreign companies have recently felt compelled to cancel their contracts in Cuba,” a statement reads. As well as airlines, those companies include hotel management partners including Canada’s Royalton and Spain’s Melia and Iberostar, that have either dropped out of Cuba altogether or significantly reduced their operations. 

“While the path with these foreign partners has diverged now, we are deeply grateful for the years we spent building side by side and their impact remains a cornerstone of our success,” said Gihana Galindo, the Director of the Cuba Tourist Board in Toronto.

“Cuba’s tourism operations will proceed without interruption. Properties transitioning out of foreign contracts will maintain normal operations under the experienced management of national hotel chains, including: Cubanacán, Gran Caribe and Gaviota,” the Cuba Tourist Board added.

“These national brands guarantee the continuity of all tourist operations, fully honouring confirmed reservations and maintaining established terms for travellers and business partners.”

The tourist board says Cuba’s private sector is rapidly expanding its footprint within the tourism industry by strategically investing in green energy innovation and direct import power. 

“Cuba’s greatest assets—our pristine beaches, vibrant culture, and the unmatched warmth of our people—remain entirely unaffected by external pressures,” said Galindo, adding that local expertise is capable of maintaining the product and Canadians can expect the same warmth of welcome as always.

“For over three decades, our local teams have worked alongside international partners to build a world-class service infrastructure. Today, that local expertise is fully equipped to seamlessly manage our properties, protect every traveller’s reservation, and deliver the exceptional hospitality that defines our destination.”