FITCUBA 2026 Scheduled May 6-10 in Varadero; Canada Named Guest Country

FITCUBA 2026, the 44th Feria Internacional de Turismo, is scheduled for May 6-10 at the Plaza América Convention Center in Varadero, Matanzas, with Canada named the guest country and described as Cuba’s primary source of visitors. PAX and FITCuba official materials confirm the dates and venue, while Globalagents UK and a TV Yumurí broadcast cited by Cuban outlets identify Canada as the edition’s guest-of-honour.

Paxnews frames the fair as a five-day meeting for tourism-sector professionals - tour operators, airlines, hotel chains, travel agencies and specialized media - where participants will “exchange experiences, present news, strengthen alliances and discover the opportunities that Cuba offers as a destination.” The trade-show description positions Varadero as Cuba’s main tourist showcase and one of the Caribbean’s most relevant platforms for business-to-business tourism deals.

The TV Yumurí broadcast quoted by CubaHeadlines and CiberCuba called FITCUBA “a unique opportunity to explore the wonders of the Cuban archipelago, whose beauty remains vibrant despite economic hardships and various political issues,” and said the fair “will emphasize Sun and Beach tourism, with Canada as the primary source of visitors.” That broadcast triggered an avalanche of social-media reaction reported February 19 and 20, including comments such as “With what tourism?” and “You definitely live in another galaxy,” reproduced by CubaHeadlines, and posts like “Hotels in Varadero are closing one by one,” published by CiberCuba.

Operational concerns undercut the celebratory framing: CubaHeadlines and CiberCuba cite fuel shortages that have led to flight cancellations and hotel closures in Varadero, and both outlets report social-media accounts of worker impacts. One user quoted by CiberCuba wrote, “I work in Varadero and next week I will be out of a job because the hotel is closing, there are no tourists and there won't be any, not expected for at least two months... honestly, I don't understand.” Another user questioned affordability, citing “salaries in national currency ranging from 1600 to 5000 pesos.”

Industry notices published by Globalagents UK list several operational developments that will be highlighted at the fair, including approval of new foreign importing companies MESOL, LHC and VIMA working alongside Cuban importers ITH and AT Comercial, and new hotel management contracts. The Italian chain Domina Hotels is named as operating Domina Marina Varadero, Domina Metrópolis and Domina Real Aduana, with Domina Real Aduana slated to open in 2026. Globalagents also reports a new leasing modality in Cuba’s hotel sector with Iberostar Origin Laguna Azul operating under a leasing model starting January 2026, and a Vila Galé expansion of three new properties.

Globalagents’ listing of product and amenity developments cites pickleball facilities “across all destinations,” a Kitesurfers Club launching in Cayo Guillermo with exclusive services at the Iberostar Daiquiri Hotel, and new wedding packages. Featured properties named for the market include Barceló SolyMar; Iberostar Playa Alameda; Meliá Varadero; Meliá Internacional; Meliá Las Antillas; Starfish Varadero; Royalton Hicacos; Grand Memories Varadero; Meliá Costa Rey; Sanctuary White Sands; Memories Caribe; Gran Muthu Almirante; Grand Memories Holguín; Grand Memories Santa María; Memories Jibacoa; and hotels in Cayo Largo del Sur, among others.

Trade listings show a partial record: Eventseye records FITCUBA for May 6-10 in Varadero but leaves the venue field blank, while PAX and Paxnews cite Plaza América as the confirmed location. Organizers have not published a detailed exhibitor roster or expected attendance numbers in the material cited by trade outlets, and a CiberCuba sidebar references Gaviota promoting trips from Canada through third countries without providing operational detail.

FITCUBA’s May 6-10 dates and Canada’s guest-country status now set a calendar for delegates and hoteliers. The fair’s immediate test will be whether tour operators and Canadian delegations arrive and whether Varadero’s hotel capacity and transport links hold steady in the weeks leading to the event.