The Cuban government has announced a new policy allowing Cubans living in Cuba and abroad to manage and invest in the country’s hotel sector, following the withdrawal or reduction of operations by several international hotel chains.

The move comes after Spanish hotel group Meliá confirmed it will cease managing 15 of the 34 hotels it operates in Cuba, a decision linked to tightening United States sanctions and the broader economic difficulties affecting the island.

Other companies, including Canada’s Royalton and Spain’s Iberostar, have also scaled back their presence, further impacting Cuba’s already struggling tourism industry.

President Miguel Díaz-Canel stated in an interview broadcast on the presidential channel that Cuba is open to new business models in which local investors take a more prominent role in hotel management.He emphasised that opportunities would be extended both to residents and to Cubans living abroad.

The announcement reflects the government’s attempt to adapt to a worsening economic environment, characterised by shortages, blackouts, and declining tourism revenues.

The United States has recently intensified sanctions targeting Cuban entities, particularly those linked to the military-run conglomerate GAESA, which has extensive interests in tourism and other sectors.

These measures, introduced under former President Donald Trump, have further restricted Cuba’s access to international financial systems and deterred foreign investment.Tourism, once a key pillar of the Cuban economy, has seen a steep decline since its peak in 2019 when the country welcomed around 4.3 million visitors.Recent figures show a sharp fall in arrivals, reflecting both global travel disruptions and ongoing political and economic tensions.

Cuban authorities have blamed the US embargo for exacerbating shortages and economic hardship, while also suggesting that external pressure aims to destabilise the country politically.The new policy represents an effort to keep the tourism sector afloat by increasing domestic participation in its management.