Cuba’s popularity as a preferred winter destination for Russian tourists is on the decline due to the increasing costs of travel packages and lodging on the island. According to Russia’s Association of Tourist Operators (ATOR) as reported by LENTA.RU, Russian travelers are now favoring destinations such as Thailand, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates for their sun and beach getaways.
ATOR has announced that for the upcoming fall-winter season, Russian tourists seeking warm tropical vacations will be opting for more affordable options like Thailand, where a nine-night package costs around 174,000 rubles (approximately $1,900). On the other hand, visiting Cuba with a similar package will not be less than 190,000 rubles (almost $2,100), placing Cuba among the more expensive destinations, along with The Seychelles in East Africa.
Statistics from the first quarter of 2023 already indicated a decline in the number of Russian tourists visiting the island. Although there was a 45% increase compared to the same period in 2022, this figure falls far short of the 178,000 Russian tourists who visited Cuba in 2021.
According to Cuba’s embassy in Russia, between January and June 2023, 67,600 Russian tourists traveled to the island. As a result, Russia now occupies the fourth position in Cuba’s tourist markets, lagging behind Canada, Cuban residents abroad, and U.S. tourists.
Despite the decrease in Russian tourist numbers, ATOR still acknowledges the high level of interest Russian tourists have in visiting Cuba. ATOR hopes that by offering regular flights to Varadero and expanding tour options like the combination tours of Havana and Varadero, Cuba will be able to attract at least 100,000 Russian tourists by the end of the year.
Nevertheless, achieving the government’s projection of welcoming 3.5 million tourists in 2023 seems increasingly uncertain. Cuba has been grappling with the recovery of its tourism industry following the COVID-19 pandemic. Juan Carlos GarcÃa Granda, Cuba’s Minister of Tourism, had previously expressed optimism about achieving a 50% recovery compared to 2019. However, the recent numbers, coupled with increasing competition from other tourist destinations, are raising doubts about these expectations.
This trend poses an important challenge to the overall recovery of Cuba’s tourism industry. The island has been striving to bounce back after the devastating impact of the pandemic. While the Cuban government has welcomed a total of 1,289,539 visitors in the first two quarters of this year, attracting a further 2,201,461 visitors in the second semester, a feat never before achieved, appears to be an uphill battle.
In conclusion, Cuba’s allure as a winter destination for Russian tourists is on the decline due to rising costs. As travelers seek more affordable options, other sun-soaked destinations like Thailand, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates have become more attractive. While ATOR remains hopeful about Russian tourists’ ongoing interest in Cuba, the country’s ability to reach its tourism targets for 2023 looks increasingly uncertain. The Cuban government will need to address these challenges to revive the tourism industry and entice visitors back to its shores.
