By Zoila Palma: Cuba’s tourism industry has suffered a dramatic decline this year as tighter U.S. sanctions continue to impact the island’s economy, BBC reports.
According to figures released by Cuba’s national statistics agency, Onei, fewer than 360,000 foreign visitors traveled to Cuba during the first five months of 2026, representing a 58.4 percent decrease compared to the same period last year.
The decline comes amid efforts by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to increase pressure on Cuba’s leadership by targeting the tourism sector, one of the country’s key sources of revenue. Several international companies have withdrawn operations from the island, including Air Canada, which recently announced the indefinite suspension of flights to Cuba, citing ongoing political and economic uncertainty. Canadian visitors had accounted for the largest share of foreign tourists to Cuba this year.
Major Spanish hotel chains also scaled back their presence on the island ahead of a U.S. deadline requiring companies to cease business dealings with Gaesa, a conglomerate controlled by Cuba’s armed forces. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has accused Gaesa of concentrating profits among a small elite while helping to suppress dissent.
The sanctions and an effective oil blockade have further strained Cuba’s economy, worsening shortages of fuel, food and medicine.
State-run media reported that childhood cancer survival rates have fallen significantly this year, while fuel shortages have disrupted services such as garbage collection and contributed to widespread power outages. The shortages have even affected religious institutions, with reports that Catholic churches are rationing communion wafers as monasteries struggle to maintain production amid limited electricity supplies.
The post International News: Cuba’s tourism industry suffers following tighter U.S. sanctions appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Cuba’s tourism industry has suffered a dramatic decline this year as tighter U.S. sanctions continue to impact the island’s economy, BBC reports. According to figures released by Cuba’s national statistics agency, Onei, fewer than 360,000 foreign visitors traveled to Cuba during the first five months of 2026, representing a 58.4 percent decrease
The post International News: Cuba’s tourism industry suffers following tighter U.S. sanctions appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
