Cuba will lease tourist facilities and facilitate payments in foreign currency to reactivate tourism, which has declined by 29.7% in 2025. Certain fees are being removed and public-private partnerships are being established.
By CiberCuba Editorial Team
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 – 3:52 PM
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The Cuban regime announced this Wednesday that it will lease tourist facilities and ease payment in foreign currencies, in an effort to revive the struggling Tourism sector, which has significantly declined during the current season.
Manuel Marrero Cruz, the Cuban Prime Minister, stated that it is necessary “to update the regulatory framework and policies” to “stimulate foreign investment in the country,” as reported during the inauguration of the 43rd edition of the International Tourism Fair (FITCuba 2025).
The official announced “new business models” related to real estate, including the leasing of tourist facilities.
On the other hand, he also referred to “facilities” for operations in foreign currencies, the use of new payment cards, and the acceptance of cash payments, particularly in dollars, euros, and Canadian dollars.
In a desperate attempt to reactivate the regime referred to as the “locomotive of the Cuban economy,” the Government will implement further changes to stimulate the arrival of tourists to Cuba, although some of these, previously announced, have not yielded results.
According to what Marrero announced, new air operations will commence, the sale of tickets in cash foreign currency will be permitted, and starting May 1st, the health fee at airports, ports, and international marinas will be eliminated.
The new strategies also include the creation of “public or private alliances” between major tourist companies and small and medium-sized enterprises or self-employed workers, with which the authorities aim to monopolize the “important complementary offer” of the private sector.
In his inaugural speech at FITCuba, Marrero Cruz reiterated his stance that the U.S. embargo is the primary cause of the collapse of tourism on the island, despite the multiple internal factors that have deteriorated the country’s image as an international destination.
The regime’s bet to relaunch the “economic locomotive” contrasts with the drastic decline in tourism. The National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) recorded 571,772 international visitors between January and March 2025, a decrease of 29.7% compared to the same period the previous year.
The main sending markets—Russia, Canada, and the Cuban community abroad—have significantly reduced their flow to the island due to the increasing perception of insecurity, shortages, power outages, prices in foreign currencies, lack of air connectivity, and deterioration of services.
Instead of taking responsibility, Marrero thanked foreign partners for their understanding and merely praised the country’s “resilience,” in a worn-out narrative that neither investors nor travelers believe anymore.
The Cuban government has announced the leasing of tourist facilities and the easing of payments in foreign currency as part of its measures to revive the tourism sector. These actions aim to stimulate foreign investment and increase the arrival of tourists to the island.
Tourism in Cuba has declined due to internal issues such as insecurity, shortages, and blackouts, as well as a lack of air connectivity and the deterioration of services. Although the regime blames the U.S. embargo, these internal factors have severely impacted the perception of Cuba as a tourist destination.
The health tax will be eliminated at airports, ports, and international marinas, and the sale of tickets in cash in foreign currency will be allowed. These measures aim to facilitate the arrival of tourists and enhance the competitiveness of the tourism sector in Cuba.
El gobierno cubano busca estimular la inversión extranjera en turismo mediante la creación de “public or private alliances” between large tourism companies and small and medium-sized enterprises or self-employed individuals. Además, se han anunciado nuevas modalidades de negocios, como el arrendamiento de instalaciones turísticas, para atraer más inversiones al sector.
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A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.
A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.
Cuban government announces leasing of tourist facilities and flexibility in payments in foreign currencies – CiberCuba
