Cuba: Tourism to Reach an 8% Growth by the End of 2011

According to a report presented by Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero to the Cuban Parliament, the leisure industry also showed a rise in income and noted that Canada will reach new heights with one million tourists from that country expected to arrive in the island before the year ends.

By ACN

Cuba’s tourism industry is expected to show an 8.2 percent increase in arrivals by year-end as 2.7 million people have chosen the island to spend their holidays this year, 2011.

According to a report presented by Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero to the Cuban Parliament, the leisure industry also showed a rise in income and noted that Canada will reach new heights with one million tourists from that country expected to arrive in the island before the year ends.

Marrero insisted on the need to increase the island’s competitiveness as a tourist destination, which, to his opinion, is one of the main current challenges of the country. He said actions have been taken to diversify hotel and non-hotel offers, at the time that the overall quality of the sector should be improved by offering the best of the island’s culture, history and traditions paired with the joy and hospitality the Cuban people is known for.

In his review Marrero mentioned that following Canada as the major international market for the island is the United Kingdom “the most important one from Europe-, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Argentina, Russia and Mexico.

Tourism authorities expect 2.9 million people to travel to Cuba in 2012 for which a Comprehensive Development Plan and short- and mid-term programs that include revamping tourist facilities, improving products and regionally reordering tourist resorts will be implemented.

The tourism sector is considered in Cuba as a key source of foreign currency and therefore a priority for the development of the country.