Sunwing Vacations, now Canada’s largest former supplier of Cuba vacations, says it has seen a dramatic switch in bookings to the Dominican Republic in place of the troubled Caribbean island.
Destinations within the Dominican Republic seeing the strongest growth are Puerto Plata and Samaná, says the tour company, which reports overall bookings to the D.R. have increased by 50%.
Puerto Plata alone up is up 60%, while Samaná is also seeing significant growth following expanded service, resort, and experience offerings, says Sunwing VP, Sales & Business Development Deana Murphy, who adds, “Properties such as Eurostars Grand Cayacoa are emerging as strong alternatives for guests who previously vacationed in Cuba, offering a compelling mix of affordability, and unique local charm.”
Murphy adds, “Canadian guests remain highly intentional about how they spend on travel, with value continuing to play a major role in destination choice. “As travel demand evolves, we’re seeing guests gravitate toward destinations that offer a strong balance of affordability, quality resort experiences and the warm hospitality guests value most.”
Mexico, and others
Beyond the Dominican Republic, Sunwing is also seeing increased interest in Mexico, which now represents a significant number of the company’s total booking mix and contributed approximately a quarter of all displaced Cuba demand.
Cancun leads the charge of all current-year bookings, while destinations such as Cozumel and Mazatlán continue to gain traction among guests seeking strong value and resort variety.
Sunwing says it is also seeing notable growth in destinations that align with the key attributes former Cuba guests value most. For guests prioritizing affordability, destinations such as Puerto Plata and Mazatlán have seen strong year-over-year booking increases, with Mazatlán up to more than 70%.
For guests seeking unique local charm and immersive experiences, Costa Rica and Panama are gaining momentum, with bookings to Liberia up 100% and Rio Hato up 35%.
Meanwhile, beach-focused destinations such as the Bahamas continue to resonate, with bookings to Freeport increasing above 20% year over year.
Noting its historical importance in connecting Canadians to the destination, having accounted for far more than 50% overall Canadian capacity to Cuba before being forced to temporarily cease its operations, due to fuel shortage caused by the U.S. blockade, Murphy concludes, “Cuba has been an important part of Sunwing’s story for many years, and we remain hopeful for the destination’s future and the communities that have long welcomed Canadian guests.”
Clients impacted by the Cuba program suspension can find the latest updates and available options on Sunwing’s Cuba travel updates page: https://www.sunwing.ca/en/cuba-travel-updates
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