U.S. offensive deals heavy blow to Cuban tourism sector
- Written by Redacción ¡ahora!
- Published in Cuba
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Cuba's tourism sector is facing its worst crisis in decades, marked by the mass departure of major international hotel chains that operated on the island, amidst an intensifying U.S. offensive against the country.
In recent months, at least seven global hotel groups—led by Spanish giants Meliá, Iberostar, and Barceló—have announced the unilateral termination of their management contracts and the complete winding down of their operations in the country.
This corporate exodus is a direct response to the intensification of extraterritorial financial sanctions by the Donald Trump administration.
In particular, this is due to the threat of secondary sanctions against any international corporation maintaining ties with entities linked to the Business Administration Group (Gaesa)— which, according to Washington, controls approximately 40 percent of the Cuban economy.
Trump cites these figures as justification, given that these entities encompass the majority of the island's tourism infrastructure.
Meliá Hotels International—the largest foreign operator in Cuba, with an uninterrupted presence since 1990—completed its total withdrawal on July 24.
Through its Portuguese subsidiary, Ilha Bela Gestão e Turismo, the company ceased all operations at its 34 hotels on the island.
In a phased process, it first terminated contracts for 15 properties in destinations such as Varadero, Cayo Santa María, and Havana in June, ultimately winding down its entire portfolio weeks later, citing "operational, legal, and financial difficulties."
Hours after Meliá's announcement, fellow Spanish firm Iberostar confirmed the winding down of its remaining operations in Cuba, including the management of its flagship luxury hotels in Havana, such as the Iberostar Grand Packard and the Iberostar Selection La Habana (Torre K).
The Barceló Group, which operated two hotels in the country, also withdrew, thereby bringing an end to three decades of presence by major Spanish chains in the archipelago.
Joining them were the Canadian group Blue Diamond Resorts (Royalton, Memories, Starfish), Indonesia’s Archipelago International (Aston Hotels), and Britain’s CEIBA Investments Limited—all of which either terminated their management agreements or initiated forced asset liquidation processes.
The extent of the collapse was confirmed by Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero during his report to the National Assembly of People's Power on July 29.
Marrero stated that, as a result of the international chains' departure, 73 percent of the country's hotels are currently closed—a situation he described as "near-total paralysis" of the tourism sector.
However, while Spain—the sector's leading investor—has not issued a direct condemnation of Washington regarding these actions against its companies, Cuban authorities maintain that the country is "resisting and seeking alternatives to continue welcoming the world." (Source: Prensa Latina)
