On a day that a defiant Cuba Tourist Board declared the country “open for global business,” including transitioning hotels to Cuban brands, Sunwing Vacations Group declared that it had made the “difficult decision” to indefinitely suspend all its Cuba operations until further notice.
The company says the move followed a review of its Cuba program and the current operating environment and affects Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, and WestJet Vacations Québec, at the same time aligning across the broader WestJet Group’s operations, including WestJet Airlines and WestJet Cargo, where applicable.
A previously announced halt to passenger flights to Cuba lasting to October has been extended with no end date.
“We recognize this news may be disappointing for guests and travel advisors, particularly given the strong connection many Canadians have with Cuba and its people,” said Sunwing. “Cuba has long been a cherished destination for our guests, and we are mindful of the challenges currently facing local communities, tourism workers, and industry partners who rely on the sector. Our thoughts are with those affected, and we remain hopeful for the destination’s recovery and long-term success.”
Clients
SVG says guests with existing bookings will be contacted directly and provided with options, including rebooking to an alternative destination or cancelling for a full refund and adds that it will continue to monitor developments closely, work with partners on the ground, and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Cuba Tourist Board
Meanwhile, as Sunwing was announcing its news, the Cuba Tourist Board issued its own statement under the headline, “Resilience in the face of sanctions, Cuba devotes itself to be more sustainable, sovereign and resilient.”
It declared, “Despite intensified economic pressures from the United States, Cuba remains firmly open for global tourism, with its attractions, hospitality infrastructure, and logistics fully operational.”
Tourism in Cuba, which reached a peak of 4.3 million visitors in 2019, saw a significant drop in the number of tourists arriving in the first quarter of this year, 48% lower than in the same period in 2025.
Only 298,000 tourists arrived in Cuba during January, February and March compared to 573,300 international visitors during the same period last year, according to government data.
Gihana Galindo, the Director of the Cuba Tourist Board in Toronto, acknowledged that due to U.S. pressure and fuel embargo, “several foreign companies have recently felt compelled to cancel their contracts in Cuba,” but added, “while the path with these foreign partners have diverged now, we are deeply grateful for the years we spent building side by side and their impact remains a cornerstone of our success.”
In the meantime, Galindo said hotels and resorts in Cuba would be transitioned from foreign to national management by “experienced” national chains such as Cubanacán, Gran Caribe and Gaviota, which will maintain normal operations and fully honour confirmed reservations and maintaining established terms for travelers and business partners.
“Foreign companies have contributed to Cuba’s tourism sector for over 30 years, serving as an excellent training ground for local professionals. Because Cuban executives and staff have long managed operations alongside foreign directors, the entire local workforce, logistics framework, and service standards remain firmly in place,” said Galindo.
Overall, Cuba’s tourism operations will “proceed without interruption,” she added, noting Cuba will continue to be “mostly a cash destination” that includes the acceptance of Canadian dollars (credit card usage has always been limited).
“Cuba’s greatest assets – our pristine beaches, vibrant culture, and the unmatched warmth of our people – remain entirely unaffected by external pressures,” said Galindo, “For over three decades, our local teams have worked alongside international partners to build a world-class service infrastructure. Today, that local expertise is fully equipped to seamlessly manage our properties, protect every traveller’s reservation, and deliver the exceptional hospitality that defines our destination.”
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