Ministerio de Turismo de Cuba

What Ministerio de Turismo de Cuba does

Ministerio de Turismo de Cuba (MINTUR) is the central government ministry of the Republic of Cuba, established in 1994 through Decreto-Ley No. 147, responsible for proposing, directing, and controlling the application of state tourism policy. It operates a nationwide governance architecture comprising 340+ provincial delegations within Cuba and 52 international counselor offices across Canada, Sweden, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Russia, Colombia, Argentina, and China. The ministry oversees state-owned tourism enterprises including the Grupo Cubanacán hotel chain, six receptive travel agencies (Viajes Cubanacán, Ecotur, Habanatur, San Cristóbal, Cubatour, Cubatur), and the campismo popular budget accommodation network, while regulating 19 international hotel chains operating 87 management contracts covering 42,275 rooms (62.2% of Cuba's 84,000+ hotel rooms).

MINTUR's core technology assets are the EVISACUBA electronic visa platform (evisacuba.cu) enabling 24/7 online tourist visa processing and the cuba.travel destination portal. Its commercial platforms are anchored by two flagship annual trade fairs — FITCuba (Feria Internacional de Turismo) and HostelCuba — and the #CubaÚnica brand campaign supported by the revived Sol de Cuba digital magazine. Distribution operates through a state-coordinated B2B model: state travel agencies contract with over 2,585 private providers (casas particulares, paladares, private transport), international tour operators route through counselor offices, and cruise partnerships run via CLIA and FCCA. Pricing is set by individual operators across three tiers — campismo popular (budget), mid-range hotels (e.g., Sol Palmeras, Brisas del Caribe), and luxury resorts (e.g., Meliá Las Américas, Grand Muthu Habana Tower) — transacted in both national currency and foreign exchange.

Revenue mechanics are not publicly disclosed given MINTUR's status as a government ministry. The Cuban tourism sector it governs generated a pre-pandemic record of over 4 million international visitors (4.26M Jan–Nov 2017, 19.7% YoY growth), with 2017 revenue plan fulfillment at 99.5% and 91.5% overall tourist satisfaction. Post-COVID recovery has brought visitor volumes to approximately 2 million, against a pre-pandemic target of 5 million visitors. Primary customer segments are international sun-and-beach tourists (Canada, Russia, China, Europe), with growing segments in cultural/heritage, MICE, cruise, and ecotourism. Key counterparties on the supply side include Meliá Hotels International, Iberostar, Blue Diamond Resorts, and joint-venture projects such as Punta Colorada and Carbonera in Varadero.

Name

Ministerio de Turismo de Cuba

Legal name

Ministerio de Turismo de Cuba

Website

https://mintur.gob.cu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Ministerio de Turismo de Cuba (MINTUR) is Cuba's central government ministry that regulates, develops, and promotes national tourism policy through 340+ domestic delegations, 52 international offices, the EVISACUBA visa platform, and state-owned hotel and travel agency subsidiaries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tourism Government Services

NAICS

Convention and Visitors Bureaus (561591), Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (92615), Tour Operators (56152), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Travel Agencies (561510)

SIC

International Affairs (9721), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Foreign Governments (8888)

akta.pro primary industry

Travel Policy Design, Governance & Compliance (THACAMAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Impact Monitoring, Verification & Reporting (MRV) Tools (Impact KPIs, Compliance Reporting) (THAAANAN), Group Travel Payments & Billing (Central Billing, Virtual Cards) (THACAFAK)

Keywords

• Government tourism policy
• Tourism regulation services
• Destination marketing
• Tourism licensing oversight
• Public tourism services

Headquarters

HQ city

Havana

HQ country

Cuba

HQ region

Latin America

Offices19 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tourism Tax Collection and Regulatory Fees: As a government ministry, MINTUR collects taxes and regulatory fees from tourism operators, hotels, travel agencies, and other tourism service providers operating in Cuba. Tourism is described as a primary source of foreign currency income for the country.
2. State Tourism Enterprise Operations: MINTUR oversees state-owned tourism enterprises (hotel groups, travel agencies, transportation, marinas) that generate revenue from international tourists. Key groups include Grupo Cubanacán Hoteles (celebrating its 40th anniversary), and the Extrahotelera Palmares S.A. subsidiary.
3. Tourism Promotion and International Services: The ministry generates revenue through international tourism promotion activities including the annual FITCuba trade fair, HostelCuba hospitality trade fair, and international representation through 52 counselor offices abroad that facilitate tourist flows.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

MINTUR is the central government ministry of Cuba responsible for proposing, directing, and controlling state policy on tourism. The Ministry regulates and oversees all tourism activity in Cuba, including licensing of tourism operators, quality certification of hotels and travel agencies, foreign investment approval in tourism, and international destination promotion. It operates the EVISACUBA electronic visa platform for tourist entry, manages flagship trade fairs (FITCuba, HostelCuba), and oversees state-owned tourism enterprises including the Cubanacán Hoteles group and Campismo Popular accommodation network.

Product overview

The Ministerio de Turismo de Cuba (MINTUR) is a central government ministry (not a commercial product company) that functions as the governing body for Cuba's tourism sector. Its portfolio consists of regulatory, promotional, and operational assets: the Evisacuba electronic visa platform provides the primary digital entry point for international visitors; the CubaTravel web portal serves as the official destination site; FITCuba and HostelCuba are the major international trade fairs organized under its umbrella; the Cubanacán Hoteles group manages state-affiliated hotel properties; Campismo Popular offers budget accommodations; and Sol de Cuba magazine and the #CubaÚnica campaign provide brand communication. MINTUR oversees a network of 340+ domestic delegations and 52 international tourism counselors across the globe. The ministry also manages and promotes key infrastructure including the Jardines del Rey Airport and the Varadero Golf Club.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cuba Única: Campaign brand reflecting Cuba's unique identity in the Caribbean, defined by the warmth of its people, authenticity of its culture, and strength of shared history

Products and services

• EVISACUBA Electronic Visa Platform Online tourist visa application and issuance system for Cuba. Travelers can initiate and complete visa procedures virtually from any internet-connected device, download electronic visas and payment confirmations by email, and access the service 24 hours per day with guaranteed security throughout the process. Serves international tourists applying for entry to Cuba.
• Cubanacán Hoteles Group State-owned hotel group under MINTUR operating a portfolio of hotels across Cuba from budget campismo popular to high-end resorts. Also handles travel agency operations including Viajes Cubanacán. Offers summer packages, excursions (Las Terrazas, Ciénaga de Zapata, El Cobre, Gibara), and day-trips. Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026.
• Campismo Popular Budget camping and rustic accommodation network under MINTUR, offering affordable vacation options for families across Cuba. Commercialized in both national currency (pesos) and foreign exchange (divisas). Targets budget travelers and Cuban families, including facilities such as 117 cabins in Las Tunas prepared for summer 2025.

Quantifiable outcome

• 91.5% overall tourist satisfaction rate, with 96.6% satisfaction in casa particulares (as of late 2017)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Grupo Cubanacán HotelescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026MINTUR collaborates with Grupo Cubanacán Hoteles, one of the principal state-owned Cuban hotel groups, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2026. Cubanacán operates hotels across Cuba from budget campismo to high-end resorts, manages the Viajes Cubanacán travel agency, and participates in MINTUR promotional fairs. The group is a key partner in the #CubaÚnica brand campaign.
• ALBA-TCP Member Countries (Tourism Ministers)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025ALBA-TCP (Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America — Peoples' Trade Treaty) member countries' tourism ministries participate in the first ALBA-TCP Tourism Ministers' Summit held at FITCuba 2025, establishing a multidestination tourism coordination mechanism. The goal is for clients to visit all ALBA countries as a single destination with unified requirements.
• Meliá Hotels International (Cuba operations)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 201719 foreign hotel chains operate in Cuba through 87 hotel management and commercialization contracts covering 42,275 rooms (62.2% of national hotel capacity). Meliá Hotels International is the largest, operating properties including Meliá Las Américas, Sol Palmeras, Sol Río de Luna y Mares, Meliá Internacional Varadero, Meliá Las Antillas, and Grand Muthu Habana Tower.
• Iberostar (Cuba operations)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Spanish hotel chain Iberostar operates properties in Cuba as part of the 19 international chains and 87 hotel contracts managed under MINTUR's regulatory framework.
• Blue Diamond Resorts (Cuba operations)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Blue Diamond Resorts operates hotels in Cuba under MINTUR's management contract framework, contributing to the 19 international chains present in the country.
• CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017CLIA, the world's largest cruise industry trade association established in 1975, holds bilateral symposia with Cuba's MINTUR to develop cruise tourism. Cuba participates in CLIA events to promote Cuban ports and cruise itineraries. 10 cruise lines operated in Cuba as of 2017.
• FCCA (Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017FCCA, established in 1972, is a bilateral organization of 18 cruise lines operating 100+ vessels in Florida, Caribbean, and Latin American waters. Holds annual bilateral symposia with Cuban authorities to develop cruise port infrastructure and cooperative relationships.
• Carbonera Mixed Enterprise (Varadero)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Mixed enterprise (joint venture) real estate-tourism project in Varadero covering 160 hectares with 1 hotel of 120 rooms. Part of MINTUR's investment portfolio for foreign investment in tourism infrastructure.
• Punta Colorada Mixed EnterpriseminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Large mixed enterprise tourism-real estate project: 5,000 hectares, 5 hotels, 20,000 real estate units, 7 golf courses, 3 marinas. One of the largest foreign investment projects in Cuba's tourism sector.
• Viajes Cubanacán (Receptive Travel Agency)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorViajes Cubanacán is the receptive travel agency within the Cubanacán group, participating in promotional summer fairs organized by MINTUR, promoting Cubanacán hotel offerings and associated agencies' packages throughout Cuba.
• Ecotur (Specialized Nature Tourism Agency)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEcotur is MINTUR's specialized eco-tourism agency managing nature tourism products, including rural tourism experiences at Monte de Sión farm in Santiago de Cuba, and nature excursion packages across Cuba's six UNESCO biosphere reserves.
• HabanaturcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHabanatur is a state-owned travel agency within the MINTUR network, promoting Cuban tourism internationally through its offices and partner channels.
• San Cristóbal (Travel Agency)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReceptive travel agency within the MINTUR travel agency network, participating in promotional fairs.
• CubatourminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorState travel agency within MINTUR's network, participating in promotional summer fairs.
• Hola Sun Holidays (Canada)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCanadian tour operator and partner with MINTUR's Toronto tourism office for the Cuban market. Canada is the largest source market for Cuban tourism, and Hola Sun Holidays participated in the Always Carnival event in Toronto representing Cuba.
• Publicitur S.A. (Communication Agency)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPublicitur S.A. is the communication agency partner for the Sol de Cuba magazine relaunch and tourism content production, in alliance with MINTUR and Álamo Soluciones, with collaboration from Cuban and international journalists.
• Álamo SolucionescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerÁlamo Soluciones collaborates with MINTUR and Publicitur S.A. on the Sol de Cuba tourism magazine, contributing to content production and digital distribution of tourism information.
• Tourism Plus Shanghai 2025 Organizers / Chinese Tourism AuthoritiesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCuba participated in Tourism Plus Shanghai 2025 (6,000+ exhibitors, 140+ countries, ~450,000 visitors). Cuban Consul General in Shanghai Mileidy Aguirre and Tourism Counselor Elizabeth Vela represented Cuba. China is the invited country of honor at FITCuba 2025. Cuba's ambassador Alberto Blanco highlighted cooperation elements with China: complementarity of two socialist nations, Cuba's stability and security, and historical friendship.
• UNESCO (Tourism and Culture)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNESCO has designated multiple Cuban sites as World Heritage (Old Havana, 1982) and Biosphere Reserves (Guanahacabibes, 1987), and inscribed Son Cubano on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list (2024). These designations serve as major tourism promotion anchors and support MINTUR's sustainable tourism objectives.
• Cuban Airlines and International CarrierscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational airlines including Russian airline Rosneft (first flight to Cuba in 2025) and Italian carrier Blue-Panorama (operating Havana-Holguín-Cayo Coco and Havana-Cayo Largo routes) are key distribution partners bringing international tourists to Cuba's destinations.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Secretaría de Turismo de México (SECTUR): Mexico's federal tourism ministry — a large Latin American/Caribbean peer with a comparable regulatory remit, foreign investment portfolio for tourism, and US-source-market orientation absent for Cuba.
• Turespaña: Spain's national tourism authority — a broader incumbent DMO promoting Spain globally with a network of international counselor offices similar in structure to MINTUR's 52-office footprint.
• VisitBritain: UK national tourism agency — a government-affiliated DMO promoting Britain internationally with an established brand campaign and source-market diversification strategy comparable to MINTUR's structure.
• Tourism Australia: Australian government tourism agency — a mature national DMO with a multi-channel international marketing model, brand campaign structure (Australia.com), and source-market diversification approach analogous to MINTUR's #CubaÚnica campaign.
• Greek Ministry of Tourism: Greece's national tourism ministry — a Mediterranean national government body with comparable regulatory authority over licensing, international promotion, and tourism policy implementation.

Direct peers

• Jamaica Tourist Board: National DMO for Jamaica — a Caribbean peer operating in the same geography and competing for overlapping sun-and-beach visitors with similar cruise and all-inclusive resort product mix.
• Brand USA: National Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) of the United States, the most direct comparable to MINTUR as a government-backed national tourism promotion body. Operates international offices and campaigns to drive inbound visitation, with similar funding and policy structures.
• Ministerio de Turismo de República Dominicana (MITUR): Dominican Republic's national tourism ministry — a Caribbean peer with overlapping hotel infrastructure (large international chain footprint), all-inclusive resort model, and multi-source market tourism strategy.

Others

• Cuba Travel (cuba.travel): MINTUR's own official tourism portal — referenced here as the digital flagship and adjacent peer for destination marketing platform functionality, although operated by the subject.
• Meliá Hotels International: Spain-based global hotel operator with the largest presence in Cuba under MINTUR's regulatory framework (managing multiple properties). Functions as a key distribution and commercialization partner rather than direct competitor — provides comp on hotel yield economics in the Cuban market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MinturCuba
• Facebookfacebook.com/MinturCuba

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Ministerio de Turismo de Cuba