Cuban Tourism Remains Operational, Assures Havanatur President

Havanatur is the International Group of Tour Operators and Travel Agencies S.A., a leading and 100 percent Cuban tour operator focused on promoting and commercializing the island's tourism products as well as those of other Latin American nations. It operates through a network of agencies in more than a dozen countries.

From its office in Buenos Aires, it organizes travel packages, excursions, events, congresses, and cruise services.

"Tourism is working today, despite the difficulties Cuba is facing due to the irrational and aggressive policy of the current U.S. administration that everyone is aware of. The Cuban State guarantees it," Vázquez asserted.

"All travelers currently visiting are coming back amazed by what they find at the destination, mainly in Havana and Varadero," the executive stated in a conversation with Prensa Latina.

The concentration of vacationer flows in selected hotels, along with the consolidation and streamilization of establishments, allows currently available resources to be secured, thereby guaranteeing all necessities for a pleasant and happy stay in Cuba, he explained.

"Undeniably, Cuban culture, the Cuban mindset and hospitality, and Cuba's beaches remain beautiful and make this a wonderful destination. None of that has changed at all," affirmed the president of Havanatur in Argentina.

The combination of a tight energy blockade, financial prosecution, coercion against third countries, and threats of military intervention as part of a psychological and media campaign paint an uncertain scenario for the economy with direct effects on the population and its economic drivers, agreed specialists from the Center for the Study of the Cuban Economy (CEEC).

Tourism, one of the hardest-hit sectors, recorded a 58 percent drop in visitor arrivals from January to May of this year, reaching barely 360,000 arrivals—only 16 percent of pre-pandemic levels.

By the end of that period, 70 percent of hotel facilities remained closed and approximately 25,000 workers were on temporary layoff status, according to the CEEC's most recent report released this past Friday.

To overcome these hardships at FIT América Latina 2026—which is celebrating its 30th anniversary promoting primarily Argentine and regional tourism—Cuba, having participated in all 30 editions of the event, is presenting a varied portfolio of new and attractive destinations and products for Argentine travelers.

The Tourism Advisory Office of Cuba for the Southern Cone designed a diverse offer that goes beyond sun and beach to feature products tailored to Argentines, including tobacco, Fangio, music, heritage, golf, diversity, incentives, congresses, and weddings.