CubaPLUS Magazine

In 2025, Canada retained its position as the leading source of tourists to Cuba, with 754,010 visitors, reflecting an 87.6% increase compared to 2024, according to statistics from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI). 

Despite the decline in Canadian vacationers, the North American market continued to lead, followed by the Cuban community abroad, which contributed 228,091 visitors, representing 77.4% of the total for 2024. 

In third place was Russia, with 131,882 visitors, marking a 71% increase compared to the previous year, while the United States recorded 110,005 visitors, which is 77.2% of the figures from the preceding twelve months. 

Following these were Mexico, with 56,438 visitors (89.8%), and Argentina, whose traveler numbers increased compared to 2024, reaching 49,428 visitors, or 113.6%. Spain also experienced a decline in 2025 compared to the previous year, with 46,489 visitors (71.5%). 

France reported 36,884 visitors (74% of the 2024 figures); Colombia achieved 35,202 visitors, slightly up from the previous year at 108%; Germany saw a significant drop with 33,056 visitors (a decrease of 50.5%). Finally, other visiting nations collectively accounted for only 82.3%, totaling 329,178 visitors.

Overall, Cuba welcomed a total of 1,810,663 international visitors last year, which is 82.2% of the figures from 2024 when the country received 2,203,117 tourists.

In an effort to revitalize tourism—a key sector of the Cuban economy—authorities in this industry recently announced plans to offer a wide range of new hotel options, services, and partnerships. Among these initiatives are agreements with new international partners such as Domina Hotels (Italy), which manages properties including Domina Marina Varadero and upcoming openings in Havana. Additionally, new foreign and domestic importing companies are being established along with new 'Cash and Carry' wholesale stores to ensure efficient supply chains and maintain high service standards across all hotels.

According to statements made by Tourism Minister Juan Carlos García Granda during a recent visit to Canada, the 2025-2026 season is expected to be a promising winter. “We have high expectations,” he noted.

The ONEI defines an international visitor as someone who enters a country different from their usual residence for a period not exceeding one year for vacation purposes—primarily for leisure and recreation, among other personal reasons.