Rock & A Hard Place: Cuba Emphasizes “Safety and Stability” for Canadian Travellers
by Bruce Parkinson
Cuba’s tourism industry is facing the biggest challenges in its history.
Built over the past five decades despite the punishing restrictions of American sanctions, Cuba’s tourism industry has never had it easy.
But with major trading partner and energy supplier Venezuela now ostensibly under U.S. control, and with frequent bellicose comments about its future from the U.S. president, a favourite destination for Canadian travellers may have never had it harder.
The Cuba Tourist Board in Toronto is trying to cool speculation and negativity by addressing recent media reports with alarmist headlines like this CTV News report titled: “Cuban tourism in Crisis; Visitors Repelled by Fuel, Power Shortages.”
Canadians are still travelling to Cuba, and we remain the largest market for the Caribbean nation of 11 million people. The Cuba Tourist Board says that for the first quarter of the winter season (November 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026), arrivals from Canada grew by 15% year-over-year, representing an increase of more than 30,000 additional visitors compared to the same period last year.
Last year was not a good year, however, with the Cuban national statistics office ONEI reporting that 2025 arrivals were down 17.8% from the previous year, to 1.8 million. 2018 was the peak year to date for Cuban tourism, with 4.7 million arrivals. Canadian visitors in 2025 were down 12.4% from the year before.
Despite the struggles, many Canadians are still enjoying winter escapes to Cuba. Pricing reflects the uncertainty, with all-inclusive 7-night packages priced as low as $600 per person including taxes and fees. That’s like the price of a one-night dinner out with a hotel stay in Toronto.
The Cuba Tourist Board maintains that the destination is still in a position to offer a value packed vacation.
“Tourism operations are progressing normally, with all services functioning as usual in resort areas,” stated Gihana Galindo, Director of the Cuba Tourist Board in Toronto.
“We are incredibly grateful to our valued travel partners and the Canadian public for their continued support. The positive feedback from returning visitors is the driving force behind our double-digit growth.”
The tourist board says Cuba’s Ministry of Tourism took proactive measures throughout the fall to ensure a seamless winter peak.
“Supplies of fuel, food, and essential goods were secured well in advance through strategic reserves and the approval of new importing companies. Furthermore, innovative marketing partnerships with wholesalers and the private sector have bolstered the supply chain,” a recent press release states.
The tourist board is also emphasizing that Cuba’s hotel infrastructure maintains full energy autonomy to ensure an uninterrupted guest experience. It says all major resorts are equipped with independent power systems and backup generators, with fuel supplies strictly reserved and secured for their continuous operation.
This week sees the beginning of the always late-starting winter escape season from Atlantic Canada. Routes from Moncton are kicking off to Varadero, Cayo Coco and Holguin, from Fredericton to Cayo Coco and Santa Clara, and from Halifax to Santa Clara.
It’s impossible to predict what the next weeks and months will hold, but in the meantime, the Cuba Tourist Board says it “remains committed to providing pristine beaches, a sunny, warm climate, and world-class hospitality that Canadians have enjoyed for decades.”
