Hotel and Tourism Development in Cuba

Abstract

In the past ten years, Cuba has recorded the highest rate of growth in tourism arrivals of all Caribbean countries to become the third most popular tourism destination in the Caribbean region and the second destination in the region for Europeans. In the process, tourism has become Cuba’s most lucrative sector. Based on in-depth interviews with senior executives of Cuban and foreign international hotel chains operating on the island and desk research in and outside Cuba, it appears that the benefits for international operators in Cuba outweigh the risks involved. With its expansion of infrastructure and promotion of its history and ecotourism, the country will continue to play a major role as a tourist destination in the Caribbean, regardless of whether the U.S. embargo remains in place.