Cuba’s tourism sector faces collapse as a US-led jet fuel shortage forces mass flight cancellations and hotel closures, threatening the island’s economic survival.
VARADERO BEACH: Cuba’s famed Varadero peninsula presents a deceptive picture of paradise. Its turquoise waters and white sands now lie largely empty, a stark consequence of a severe jet fuel shortage that is crippling the island’s vital tourism industry.
A Reuters investigation reveals the sector is in freefall. Major airlines have cancelled nearly 1,700 flights through April, with Canada’s top carriers suspending all services.
Russia, another key market, is evacuating tourists and halting flights. Hotel chains like NH have shuttered all properties, while Melia has closed several and consolidated guests.
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Tourism guide Alejandro Morejon, a veteran of the industry, described “total uncertainty”. He lamented that “everything is beginning to fall apart”.
This crisis is the direct result of a US-led economic squeeze. The Trump administration has blocked Venezuelan oil shipments and threatened tariffs on other suppliers, declaring Cuba a national security threat.
Tourism earned Cuba USD 1.3 billion in 2024, accounting for roughly 10% of export earnings. Economist Paolo Spadoni warns its collapse would be catastrophic.
“The complete collapse of Cuba’s tourism sector would create an unsustainable situation for the Cuban economy and threaten its survival,” Spadoni said.
The industry was already struggling, with visitor numbers falling to 1.8 million in 2025, a two-decade low. The fuel shortage has now sparked panic among remaining tourists.
Canadian visitor Tyler LaMountaine expressed widespread anxiety, saying “you get scared because everyone else is scared”.
The Cuban government initially claimed tourism would be unaffected. It reversed this position days later, notifying airlines of the imminent fuel crisis.
On the surface, life in Varadero continues. Beach chairs remain and shops are open. However, Reuters confirmed at least two major hotels have closed.
Local workers fear the worst as the US blockade continues. Jorge Fernandez, a tour driver, said his fuel would run out within a day.
“After that, it’s back home to invent something else to do,” the 53-year-old said. He called for a resolution between the US and Cuban leadership, stating “the only ones that are suffering here are the people”.
