Key facts
- Spanish hotel group Meliá has ceased all operations of its 34 hotels in Cuba.
- The company cited operational, legal, and financial difficulties as reasons for its departure.
- Meliá had a significant presence in Cuba since 1990.
- The withdrawal follows similar recent announcements from Iberostar and Barceló.
- Cuba's tourism sector has seen a 56% drop in international visitor arrivals between January and April.
Spanish hotel group Meliá has ceased all operations of its 34 hotels in Cuba, citing operational, legal, and financial difficulties exacerbated by U.S. sanctions and the island's deepening economic crisis. The company, which had a major presence in Cuba since 1990, made the announcement on Friday, following a previous decision last month to cease operations at 15 of its properties.
Meliá's complete withdrawal, managed through its Portuguese subsidiary Ilha Bela Gestao E Turismo, mirrors recent exits by fellow Spanish chains Iberostar and Barceló, signaling a significant shift in the island's crucial tourism market. The tourism sector has been severely impacted, with international visitor arrivals falling by 56% between January and April compared to the previous year, a situation residents describe as having a "huge" impact due to a lack of tourism flow and income.
The closures coincide with increased U.S. sanctions, including those targeting Cuba's Ministry of Tourism, and a broader exodus of international businesses facing heightened operational risks. Financial services firms, airlines like Air France and Iberia, and payment processors such as Visa and Mastercard have also scaled back or suspended operations on the island.