Cuba challenges 2026

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Melia restructures Cuba operations, with 15 resorts impacted
Post date: Jun 3 2026
By: Travelweek
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TORONTO — Spain’s Melia Hotels International has followed Blue Diamond Resorts, Iberostar Cuba and Archipelago International, announcing plans to cease management and other services for close to half its properties in Cuba.

Melia is one of the biggest players in Cuba. The Havana Times notes that of Melia’s 34 hotels in Cuba, close to half are co-managed with Gaviota.

“In the context of the evolving geopolitical, social, legal and economic environment in the Republic of Cuba, Meliá Hotels International announces that, as part of its ongoing and rigorous risk assessment process, it has taken the decision to immediately cease the provision of management and commercialization services, as well as the licensing of its hotel brands, in relation to 15 hotels located in the country,” said Melia.

The 15 impacted hotels are …

Gran Hotel Bristol Habana Vieja Member of The Meliá Collection
INNSiDE Catedral Habana
Meliá Buena Vista
Meliá Cayo Santa María
Meliá Jardines del Rey
Meliá Las Dunas
Meliá Península Varadero
Paradisus Los Cayos
Paradisus Princesa Mar
Paradisus Río de Oro
Paradisus Varadero
Sol Caribe Beach
Sol Cayo Santa María
Sol Río de Luna y Mares
Sol Varadero Beach

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Confirmed: Blue Diamond Resorts ceases operations in Cuba
Post date: Jun 1 2026
By: Travelweek

TORONTO — Blue Diamond Resorts Cuba has ceased operations in Cuba after a months-long wind-down that began in February 2026, when mass repatriations brought thousands of Canadian travellers back from the island.

“The Cuban tourism market is experiencing changing dynamics, including reduced and suspended flights to Cuba and operational constraints such as a lack of fuel supply, electricity, water and other essential supplies including food and medicine, and disruption to infrastructure and communications, as well as increasing logistical limitations that affect the hotel sector daily,” says a May 28 statement sent to a Canadian-based company providing services for Blue Diamond Resorts Cuba.

The statement also notes travel advisories issued by the UK and Canada.

“The above conditions have had a direct adverse impact on tourism demand. Additionally, hotel operations have deteriorated to the point where we can no longer maintain internationally accepted service standards.

“As a result of the above, Blue Diamond Resorts Cuba began a progressive wind down of its hotel operations in Cuba in February 2026. Due to the continuing operational constraints and market conditions, Blue Diamond Resorts Cuba has now ceased its operations and branding of all activities in Cuba, effective immediately.”

An update from Argentina-based tour operator Sudameria noted that the move includes all activities related to …

Sudameria says the move includes all activities related to …

Blue Diamond Resorts Cuba
Blue Diamond Cuba
Royalton
Memories
Starfish
Mystique
Resonance
Canadian airlines including Air Canada, WestJet and Transat have been suspending service to Cuba for months now. Sudameria says future reservations, inquiries, and coordination efforts for the impacted resorts will be handled directly by the respective hotel owners and/or the corresponding local operating entities.



The U.S. administration has been threatening military action in Cuba ever since ousting Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro earlier this year, then ordering an energy blockade that choked off fuel shipments to Cuba. That led to severe blackouts, food shortages and an economic collapse across the island.

Even more sanctions have been imposed on the Cuban government in recent days, and the U.S. has again raised the spectre of military intervention in Cuba.

The Canadian government’s travel advisory level for Cuba remains at orange (avoid non-essential travel). Last week Global Affairs Canada warned that its ability to provide consular services in Cuba may become limited if the situation on the island deteriorates further.

The Havana Times reports that the impacted properties will be administered by Cuba’s Gaviota. It also reports that Iberostar is under pressure to exit Cuba as well.


Tags: Blue Diamond Resorts, Lead Story

By:Travelweek

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Another major hotel chain exits Cuba: Archipelago International

Post date: Jun 2 2026
By: Travelweek

TORONTO — Another major resort company has severed property management ties with Cuban hotel chain Gaviota, as the U.S. administration’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)’s June 5 deadline for companies to cease operations in Cuba, or face sanctions, draws nearer.

Asia-based Archipelago International is the latest to pull up stakes, following similar moves this week by Blue Diamond Resorts Cuba and Iberostar.

The Havana Times’ contributor 14ymedio reported the story, noting that Archipelago’s properties on the island, including Grand Aston Havana, Grand Aston Varadero, Grand Aston Cayo Paredon, Grand Aston Cayo Las Brujas and Aston Costa Verde, may remain open but will now be managed by Gaviota. According to 14ymedio, on site at the Grand Aston Havana, workers were often told not to come in due to the lack of tourists.

One of the biggest players in Cuba is Melia. The report in the Havana Times notes that half of Melia’s Cuba resorts are currently closed, and that of Melia’s 34 hotels in Cuba, close to half are co-managed with Gaviota.

Yesterday came news that Iberostar has cut its ties with Gaviota, impacting the Spain-based hotel company’s management of a dozen resorts in Cuba. The 12 properties are under Gaviota’s umbrella and by extension the Cuban state, i.e. the Cuban military’s Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A. (Gaesa). According to reports, Iberostar will stay in Cuba with properties affiliated with Cubanacan and Gran Caribe. Included in the group of 12 hotels, according to 14ymedio, are the Hotel Grand Packard on Prado Avenue, the Iberostar Selection Habana located in the K Tower and currently closed due to the crisis, the Iberostar Selection Ensenachos in Cayo Santa María, the Iberostar Origin Bella Vista Varadero, and the Iberostar Selection Esmeralda.

There was also confirmation that Blue Diamond Resorts Cuba has ceased operations effective immediately in Cuba after a months-long wind-down that began in February 2026, when mass repatriations brought thousands of Canadian travellers back from the island.