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• 01 / 06 / 2009

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According to data given by Lopez, the Cuban tourism industry ended 2008 with 2.35 million foreign tourists, breaking the Cuban national record for 12 months, and meaning a growth over 9 percent.

Lopez said that while the World Tourism Organization states there has been little increase in the Cuban tourism sector for the year, with between 0 and 2 percent, Cuba schedules an increase over 9 percentual points, but this will represent a hard work in all the system.

As much in the commercial as in the market area, there should be a good approach to the airlines and quality services, she pointed out.

“We have to improve and make our promotion, fight for competitiveness for our products,” she stated.

Significant roles will be played by the beach of Varadero, main tourist pole in the island, and the “Juan Gualberto Gomez” International Airport, the second most important in the country.

Varadero Beach, located 87 miles east of Havana, and the international airport, close to Varadero Beach, closed 2008 with historical records, over a million tourists.

Statistics are pointing at a high tourist season –from December to April- without any precedents.

The Juan Gualberto Gomez International Airport will receive 114 weekly flights in that period, with Canada as the main issuer.

(Juventud Rebelde)