TORONTO — Sunwing Vacations Group is suspending its Cuba program indefinitely.

The move follows exits by hotel companies Blue Diamond Resorts, Iberostar, Archipelago International and Melia in recent days, and is the latest blow amid sanctions and the oil blockade by the U.S. administration.

Sunwing’s announcement also comes on the heels of a similar advisory from Air Canada Vacations. Travelweek has reached out to Transat to confirm their plans.

“Following a review of our Cuba program and the current operating environment, Sunwing Vacations Group (including Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, and WestJet Vacations Québec) has made the difficult decision to indefinitely suspend all Cuba operations until further notice,” reads the Sunwing statement.

“As part of the broader WestJet Group, this change aligns operationally across the group, including WestJet Airlines and WestJet Cargo, where applicable.

“We recognize this news may be disappointing for guests and travel advisors, particularly given the strong connection many Canadians have with Cuba and its people. Cuba has long been a cherished destination for our guests, and we are mindful of the challenges currently facing local communities, tourism workers, and industry partners who rely on the sector. Our thoughts are with those affected, and we remain hopeful for the destination’s recovery and long-term success.”

Up until now all of Sunwing Vacations Group’s operations to Cuba were cancelled from June 20 to Oct. 9, 2026, inclusive, for all departure cities and airports.  Air Transat’s Cuba flights, scheduled between mid-June and the end of October 2026, remain temporarily closed for booking.

Sunwing says guests with existing bookings will be contacted directly and provided with options, including rebooking to an alternative destination or cancelling for a full refund.

“We will continue to monitor developments closely, work with our partners on the ground, and provide updates as more information becomes available,” says Sunwing.

AIR CANADA VACATIONS UPDATE

Air Canada Vacations is also suspending its Cuba program.

“Given the ongoing uncertainty with respect to Cuba, Air Canada Vacations is postponing its resumption of service to the island until further notice,” said ACV in a notice on its site.

“Customers with bookings will be contacted directly by a member of our Customer Service team and offered the choice of a full refund to their original form of payment or the option to rebook.”

ACV says it remains committed to monitoring the situation closely “and will provide timely updates as they become available.”

STATEMENT FROM CUBA TOURIST BOARD

“Despite intensified economic pressures from the United States, Cuba remains firmly open for global tourism, with its attractions, hospitality infrastructure, and logistics fully operational,” said the Cuba Tourist Board in a new statement this morning.

The statement adds that Cuba “devotes itself to be more sustainable, sovereign and resilient. Executive orders signed by the U.S. President in January and May 2026, including Executive Order #14404 directly targeting the Cuban tourism sector, aim to restrict one of the country’s economic pillars by creating a lack of Jet A-1 aviation fuel at national airports and pressuring foreign entities operating on the island. Consequently, several foreign companies have recently felt compelled to cancel their contracts in Cuba.”

Gihana Galindo, the Director of the Cuba Tourist Board in Toronto, says: “While the path with these foreign partners have diverged now, we are deeply grateful for the years we spent building side by side and their impact remains a cornerstone of our success.”

She adds: “Cuba’s greatest assets – our pristine beaches, vibrant culture, and the unmatched warmth of our people – remain entirely unaffected by external pressures. For over three decades, our local teams have worked alongside international partners to build a world-class service infrastructure. Today, that local expertise is fully equipped to seamlessly manage our properties, protect every traveller’s reservation, and deliver the exceptional hospitality that defines our destination.”

Galindo says that many affected properties were already temporarily closed due to shifting market demands.

The statement continues: “Cuba’s tourism operations will proceed without interruption. Properties transitioning out of foreign contracts will maintain normal operations under the experienced management of national hotel chains, including: Cubanacán, Gran Caribe and Gaviota. These national brands guarantee the continuity of all tourist operations, fully honouring confirmed reservations and maintaining established terms for travellers and business partners.”

The Cuba Tourist Board notes that foreign companies have contributed to Cuba’s tourism sector for 30+ years. “Because Cuban executives and staff have long managed operations alongside foreign directors, the entire local workforce, logistics framework, and service standards remain firmly in place.”

The tourist board notes that as a direct result of U.S. Executive Order #14404, Visa and Mastercard will cease processing financial transactions within Cuba starting June 6, 2026. Cash is currently the most convenient and widely accepted medium, says the tourist board, especially Canadian Dollars (CAD), US Dollars (USD), and Euros (EUR).

“Those who have visited Cuba in the past know that the use of credit cards was mainly limited to hotels, there has never been a widespread use of credit cards outside of the hotels and it always has been mostly a cash destination.”