Cuba loses Spanish hotel investment due to US pressure

JSBy Joan SanzCurated by Joan Sanz. · July 24, 2026 · Follow on LinkedIn

Voice reading · ~1 min

Cuba was always a priority destination for major Spanish hotel chains. They started their global expansion there hand in hand with Cuban government companies. But the picture is shifting.

According to Hosteltur, US pressure, sanctions, legal threats, fear of being locked out of the American market, is causing Spanish chains to curb their appetite on the island. Cuba is losing Spanish hotel muscle. And the chains are losing their third international destination.

My take: this is a strategic shake-up. Spanish companies have been Cuba's main hotel partner for decades. If they pull back, who fills the gap? Turkey, China, Russia? On the flip side, whoever holds ground can play the future recovery card when (and if) Cuba-US relations thaw. Meanwhile, the island gets less foreign investment and less room renovation. It's not the end of the road, but a hard stop.

Quick questions

Why is Cuba losing Spanish hotel investment?

Because of US pressure through sanctions and legal threats against companies operating in Cuba, which slows Spanish hotel chain expansion.

What role did Cuba play for Spanish chains?

Cuba was their third most important international destination, a priority market where they began their global expansion with the Cuban government.

Which Spanish chains are in Cuba?

The main ones are Meliá, Iberostar, Barceló and NH, though all have reduced investment appetite due to US regulatory pressure.

What are the consequences for Cuban tourism?

Less foreign hotel investment means less room renovation and supply, which can hurt the destination's competitiveness in the medium term.

Can this trend be reversed?

Yes, if Cuba-US relations change. Meanwhile, those who stay positioned could benefit from a future market recovery.

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