Cuba Touts “Record Airlift” with 300,000 Seats From Canada in Q1

Cuba and its tourism industry are facing an uncertain 2026 following the loss of Venezuela as an oil supplier and amidst threats from the U.S. administration.

Despite storm clouds on the horizon, the popular destination for Canadians continues to reaffirm its commitment to the safety, comfort, and satisfaction of visitors. 

“Canada has always been a loyal and essential market for Cuba,” said Juan Carlos García Granda, Cuba’s Minister of Tourism. 

“We continue to welcome Canadian visitors with the same warmth, safety, and quality of service they know and trust. The sustained growth in air capacity and demand clearly shows that Canadians feel confident travelling to Cuba and continue to choose our island for their holidays. I very much want to thank them for their tremendous support.”

Canada Remains a Cornerstone Market 

Canada remains a key market for Cuban tourism. Cuba ranks sixth among international destinations for Canadians, with more than 300,000 airline seats scheduled for the first quarter of 2026 alone.

Direct air service connects Canadians to seven destinations across the island and Cuban officials say consistently high load factors have enabled the introduction of new routes as well as the extension of seasonal flights into year-round operations ensuring flexibility, choice and accessibility for Canadian travellers. 

Elevating and Expanding the All-Inclusive Experience

As part of a strategy to diversify its tourist offerings, Cuba has introduced new innovative products this winter designed to enhance the guest experience both within and beyond hotel borders:

“Santa Maria All In” Concept: Cuba describes this product as “a first-of-its-kind concept that extends the resort experience across the entire Santa Maria area.” Available at no additional cost, guests enjoy seamless access to entertainment, dining and leisure experiences across three tourist plazas – Gallery, Las Dunas and The One Collection, including restaurants, bars, bowling, a creamery and complimentary shuttle service (from 9 am to 2 am) to ensure effortless mobility between hotels and plazas.

“The Splash Santa Maria Water Park:”  Cuba’s only water park of its kind officially opened on January 3 in the Santa Maria Arena area. Opened daily from 10 am to 6 pm, the attraction offers fun for guests of all ages and adds a new family friendly element to the destination.

Snowbird Villas at Playas del Este: Designed to encourage longer stays, new, fully equipped villas are now available on a beach just 30 minutes from Havana. Ideal for extended visits, these villas feature a swimming pool, children’s play area, 24-hour Wi-Fi, and satellite TV.