Cuba's Tourism Appeal Fades for Andorran Travelers Amid Crises
Andorran agencies steer clients away from Cuba due to energy shortages, logistical issues, US visa hurdles, and global tensions, as visitor numbers.
Key Points
- Visitor numbers fell from 4.7M in 2018 to 1.8M in 2025; Andorrans made only 5 trips last year.
- Energy crisis causes fuel shortages, blackouts, flight cancellations, eroding service standards.
- US visa needed in Madrid for Cuba visitors wanting to enter US, deterring Andorrans.
- One-way flights from Cuba to Madrid exceed €2,100 vs. €800 return, showing exit demand.
Cuba's appeal as a tourist destination has faded sharply, with Andorran travel agencies now steering clients toward alternatives amid energy shortages, logistical hurdles, and global tensions.
The shift comes as Holy Week in 2026 ushers in the usual start of the travel season for Andorran families, coinciding with school holidays and typically lower prices before summer peaks. However, escalating conflict in the Middle East and broader political uncertainty have forced agencies to update recommendations in real time, sidelining Cuba from the options.
Cristina Ribas, owner of Viatges Relax, said her team suggests other destinations when clients mention Cuba. "It's not just the internal situation but the logistical and administrative implications," she told Diari d'Andorra. A key deterrent for Andorrans: anyone visiting Cuba must later apply for a specific US visa at the American embassy in Madrid to enter the United States—a major issue now that the US has regained popularity as an alternative.
Official data from Cuba's National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) underscores the decline. Visitor numbers dropped from 4.7 million in 2018 to 1.8 million in 2025, the lowest since the Covid-19 pandemic. Andorrans made just five trips there last year.
Post-pandemic service disruptions have compounded the problems. Maica Terrones, owner of Viatges Emocions, noted that standards never fully recovered. An ongoing energy crisis—exacerbated by former US President Donald Trump's restrictions on Venezuelan oil imports—has led to fuel shortages, flight cancellations, and frequent blackouts, crippling tourism infrastructure.
Sònia Torres, an employee at Andorratours, observed that clients have grown more risk-averse. "Cuba is no longer a natural choice," she said.
Flight prices reflect the imbalance. Skyscanner data shows one-way tickets from Santiago de Cuba to Madrid exceeding €2,100, while the reverse route dips below €800, signaling stronger demand to leave than to arrive.
Agencies still recall Cuba's former allure. Mercè Matarrodona of A Mida Viatges described it as embodying "a unique exoticism: classic cars, street life, and a cultural experience that captivates from the start." Past visitors always returned satisfied, she added. Yet that idyllic image now clashes with restrictions, uncertainties, and decaying facilities.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources: