Published on 2019-01-01 by
Norlan Echevarria
Authorities from the Tourism Ministry of Cuba confirmed that more than 4 million 750 thousand foreign tourists visited the island in 2018; which represents a raise of 1.3% compared with the previous year. Canada is still the first issuing market of tourists to Cuba, despite a growing of 2%. According to figures given by tourism employees there was a growing of 6% in the arrival of tourists through airports. On the other hand, the maritime arrivals increased by 48% that means the arrival of 850 thousand tourists from USA.
Otherwise, there is an appreciated increase on markets from Russia (30%), Mexico (23%), Brazil (16%), Cuban people that live abroad (13%), China and Colombia (10%). There was a slight lowing of tourists from Europe this year, mainly from the European bloc integrated by France, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom and Italy.
Other interesting markets were China, Japan, India and South Africa. However, other markets such as Holland, Eastern Europe, Nordic countries and Turkey are expected to be developed. Cuba endeavors to receive 5 million 100 thousand tourists in 2019, which means a record for a single year. Nowadays, Cuba counts with 70.879 rooms in hotels and just the capital city has 12.488 rooms in 84 tourist resorts.
