• Submitted by: admin
• Travel and Tourism
• Business and Economy
• 05 / 06 / 2010

---

HAVANA, Cuba, May 4 (acn) Cuban Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero said 1,053 million tourists had arrived in the island up to the end of April 2010, a record figure for this period of time.

Speaking in the 30th International Tourism Fair FITCUBA 2010, Marrero said that in spite of the fall on inbound vacationers in the first two months of the year, the island saw a rebound in March and April as a result of actions taken by MINTUR.
 
Marrero named Canada as the island’s top tourist provider sending around 1 million travelers a year and he mentioned that more and more tourists are arriving from Argentina, Colombia, Chile and Peru.

The minister highlighted the importance of the domestic market and the increasing flow of Cubans living abroad, especially from the United States, traveling to the island.

Regarding the tourism coming from the US, Marrero said that a recent meeting about US-Cuba travels held in Cancun, it was clear that American professionals of the industry were not fully acquainted with the potentialities of the Cuba destination.

According to Marrero, one of the reasons leading to that lack of knowledge was the limitations posed by Washington’s economic, financial and commercial blockade on the island. He said lifting those restrictions could bring about a positive impact in the exchange between both countries.

Marrero pointed out that MINTUR has been leading revamping strategies including the promotional campaign Authentic Cuba to be soon developed in different markets and remodeling and development works in the hotel infrastructure.
 
Cuba has around 50,000 rooms, of which 65 percent are in four and five-star hotels, while the minister announced an expected increase by 20,000 capacities within the next five years.
 
In addition, Marrero said investments are made in Varadero, Santa Maria and Cayo Coco Keys, and Guardalavaca.

He mentioned as well remodeling works in ports and airports and the strengthening of promotional events, and golf and nautical offers as part of the ministry’s most recent actions to boost the leisure industry in the island.

Following Marrero’s statements, Cuban specialists presented a catalogue on Eastern Cuba, and a stamp dedicated to that region of the country and signed by Cuban deputy tourism minister Maria Elena Lopez, and the vice president of the Mail Enterprise of Cuba, Ruben Arteaga.
 
FITCUBA 2010 will be underway at the Morro-Cabaña historical military complex until May 8. This year, the fair is focused on the promotion of Events and Incentives, Eastern Cuba destination and Russia, as the Guest of Honor to the event.

Source: ACN