Cuban Tourism Struggles Amid Power Outages

Cuba is grappling with a severe energy crisis marked by frequent blackouts that have disrupted daily life and severely impacted its tourism industry. The aging power infrastructure, with nearly 95% of thermal plants over 40 years old, struggles to meet the needs of the population due to the restrictive U.S. blockade that limits access to modernization resources. As a result, the tourism sector has seen a significant decline, with only 2.2 million international visitors this year, far below the target of 3.2 million and less than half of pre-pandemic levels. Experts warn that Cuba's appeal as a tourist destination is diminishing due to ongoing shortages of food, fuel, and labor, exacerbated by recent nationwide blackouts. While some government officials remain optimistic about overcoming these challenges, international advisories from countries like Canada and Germany reflect growing concerns about travel safety. The culmination of these factors paints a bleak picture for Cuba's tourism prospects moving forward.