Rise in tourism to Cuba predicted as country comes out of the cold
Caribbean leaders have welcomed the restoration of full diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba, announced last month by Presidents Obama and Castro, saying it will increase tourist arrivals to the islands.
The Caribbean Tourism Organisation suggested the move would lead to a rise in the number of American holidaymakers visiting Cuba, which has been effectively closed to US tourism for the past 50 years.
The CTO was looking forward to engaging Cuba in its programmes in the United States, which is the region’s biggest source market, sending over 12 million visitors last year.
"Any opportunity to substantially increase that number will be welcomed," it said in a statement.
Cuba has been a member of the CTO since 1992 and has been included in its marketing efforts in Canada, Latin America and Europe but never before in the US. The closest it came was in 2002 when the CTO managed to secure a visa for the then Cuban coordinator of international affairs in the country’s ministry of tourism to attend Caribbean Week in New York.
Following the restoration of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the US, the CTO said it anticipates ‘much broader participation in all CTO-organised events’.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers