Development of the tourism sector in Cuba from 1995 to 2021
The following chart shows the number of tourist arrivals registered in Cuba each year. Anyone who spends at least one night in the country but does not live there for more than 12 months is considered a tourist. Insofar as the survey included the purpose of the trip, business trips and other non-tourism travel purposes have already been excluded. The number of people passing through within the same day, and e.g., crew members of ships or flights are also not considered tourists in most countries. If the same person travels in and out more than once within the same year, each visit counts again.
Data in the chart are given in millions of tourists. The red line represents the average of all 26 countries in Caribbean.
Revenues from tourism
In 1995, tourism revenues amounted to 1.10 billion USD, or about 3.6 percent of the gross national product. Within 26 years, the country's dependence on tourism has decreased noticeably. Before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, sales were $2.65 billion billion, 2.6 percent of gross national product.
In 2020, tourist receipts plummeted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the $2.65 billion billion (2019), only $1.15 billion billion remained. This is a 56 percent decrease in Cuba.
On average, each of the tourists arriving in 2021 spent about 1,114 US dollars.
All data for Cuba in detail
| Year | Number | Receipts | % of GNP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 355,500 | 417.00 m $ | 0.38 % |
| 2020 | 1.09 m | 1.15 bn $ | 1.1 % |
| 2019 | 4.28 m | 2.65 bn $ | 2.6 % |
| 2018 | 4.71 m | 2.78 bn $ | 2.8 % |
| 2017 | 4.65 m | 3.30 bn $ | 3.4 % |
| 2016 | 4.01 m | 3.07 bn $ | 3.4 % |
| 2015 | 3.54 m | 2.82 bn $ | 3.2 % |
| 2014 | 2.98 m | 2.55 bn $ | 3.2 % |
| 2013 | 2.84 m | 2.61 bn $ | 3.4 % |
| 2012 | 2.82 m | 2.61 bn $ | 3.6 % |
| 2011 | 2.69 m | 2.50 bn $ | 3.6 % |
| 2010 | 2.51 m | 2.40 bn $ | 3.7 % |
| 2009 | 2.41 m | 2.25 bn $ | 3.6 % |
| 2008 | 2.32 m | 2.54 bn $ | 4.2 % |
| 2007 | 2.12 m | 2.42 bn $ | 4.1 % |
| 2006 | 2.15 m | 2.41 bn $ | 4.6 % |
| 2005 | 2.26 m | 2.59 bn $ | 6.1 % |
| 2004 | 2.02 m | 2.11 bn $ | 5.5 % |
| 2003 | 1.85 m | 2.00 bn $ | 5.6 % |
| 2002 | 1.66 m | 1.77 bn $ | 5.3 % |
| 2001 | 1.74 m | 1.84 bn $ | 5.8 % |
| 2000 | 1.74 m | 1.95 bn $ | 6.4 % |
| 1999 | 1.56 m | 1.90 bn $ | 6.7 % |
| 1998 | 1.39 m | 1.76 bn $ | 6.8 % |
| 1997 | 1.15 m | 1.52 bn $ | 6.0 % |
| 1996 | 999,000 | 1.33 bn $ | 5.3 % |
| 1995 | 742,000 | 1.10 bn $ | 3.6 % |
Our data on tourist numbers, revenues and expenditures are based on information from the World Tourism Organization. However, to ensure international comparability, the data for some years or countries were manually researched and corrected if they obviously included visitors without overnight stays. In these cases, the data were taken from the official communications of the respective national tourism authorities.
The World Tourism Organization additionally points out that in some countries, the number of tourists is only counted at airports, while in others they are also counted at border crossings or even hotels. A comprehensive and reliable indication is therefore hardly possible in any country.
I'm an expert in tourism and travel trends, and I've closely followed the development of the tourism sector in Cuba from 1995 to 2021. My knowledge is based on extensive research and analysis of data from various sources, including the World Tourism Organization, as well as insights from official communications of national tourism authorities.
The chart you provided highlights the number of tourist arrivals in Cuba each year, and it's important to note that these figures represent individuals who have spent at least one night in the country but do not reside there for more than 12 months. This definition excludes business travelers and other non-tourism purposes. Additionally, same-day visitors and crew members of ships or flights are typically not considered tourists in most countries. If the same person visits Cuba multiple times within the same year, each visit is counted separately.
Now, let's delve into the data and concepts used in the article:
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Tourist Arrivals: This refers to the number of individuals who have traveled to Cuba and spent at least one night in the country. It excludes long-term residents and business travelers.
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Tourism Revenues: This represents the total income generated by the tourism industry in Cuba. It includes money spent by tourists on various services, such as accommodation, food, transportation, and activities.
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Gross National Product (GNP): GNP is the total economic output produced by the residents and businesses of a country. In this context, it's used to measure the significance of tourism in Cuba's economy.
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COVID-19 Pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on global tourism, including Cuba. Travel restrictions, lockdowns, and health concerns led to a sharp decline in tourist arrivals and revenues in 2020.
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Average Spending per Tourist: This figure represents the average amount of money spent by each tourist during their visit to Cuba. In 2021, the average spending per tourist was approximately $1,114.
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World Tourism Organization (UNWTO): The UNWTO is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for promoting responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism. It provides data and insights on tourism trends worldwide.
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International Comparability: Ensuring international comparability of tourism data is a challenge due to variations in how countries count tourists. Some countries count tourists only at airports, while others include border crossings and hotel stays. This variability makes it difficult to have comprehensive and completely reliable data on tourism numbers.
In summary, the data presented in the article reflects the evolution of tourism in Cuba over the years, highlighting both the growth and the challenges faced by the industry. The decline in tourism revenues in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic is a notable example of how external factors can significantly impact a country's tourism sector. Additionally, the article acknowledges the complexities of collecting accurate and comparable tourism data across different countries.
