by Jen Mallia
Last updated: 12:05 PM ET, Mon June 1, 2026
Canadian hospitality company Blue Diamond Resorts has closed up shop in Cuba, reports the Havana Times and a post from Argentina-based tour operator Sudameria. According to the reports, the company, which has 11,139 rooms on the island nation, mostly in Varadero, ceased operations as of May 30th. The statement indicates all future reservations, inquiries and arrangements will be handled directly by the” respective hotel owners and/or the corresponding local operating entities.” The administration of the properties will be by Gaviota, a company that forms part of Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A. (GAESA), the Cuban military conglomerate controlled by the Armed Forces, states the Havana Times.
In Havana, the affected hotels include the Royalton Habana Paseo del Prado, the Inglaterra, and the Regis Mystique. Throughout Cuba, the hotels and resorts operated by Blue Diamond are under the following brands:
- Blue Diamond Resorts Cuba
- Blue Diamond Cuba
- Royalton
- Memories
- Starfish
- Mystique
- Resonance
Sudamerica directs any inquiries to local account managers, stating it will be unable to answer questions about the situation. Air Canada Vacations and WestJet Vacations appear to have all removed Cuban Blue Diamond resorts from their websites. At the time of writing, Sunwing still lists vacation packages at some of the properties during the winter months.
Cuba has faced a mounting crisis related to energy and fuel following the U.S. ouster of Venezuela’s president, Nicolas Maduro, and the subsequent blockade of shipments from that country. Food and supplies have been cut off, making tourism almost impossible and life for Cubans exponentially more difficult.
The company has not yet issued an official statement on its channels, but all of its Cuban properties have been removed from its website. The withdrawal has been attributed to “the current conditions of the Cuban tourism market and the persistent operational limitations affecting the destination, including logistical, infrastructure, and supply challenges.”
Cuba has long been a beloved winter escape for Canadians, with approximately 754,000 Canadian visitors in 2025, despite periodic widespread electrical outages. Since February, 2026, flights from Canada have been cancelled and a travel advisory issued by Global Affairs, severely hindering tourism from Cuba’s largest market.
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