Cuba receives its first million tourists in 2011

Cuba has already received the first million tourists from around 2.7 in 2011, representing a 10.4% increase over the same period last year Havana - The increase in visitors from Canada, Russia, Argentina, United Kingdom, Chile, Poland, Venezuela and Belgium is "an important factor" to achieve that goal, according to the official statement quoted by local media. The resumption of cruise ships, improving the infrastructure of hotels in popular resorts such as Cayo Santa Maria, north of the central province of Villa Clara, and in the resort of Varadero, the largest in the country, are also listed as a contribution to this increase. The newsletter of the Tourism Ministry also announced the conclusion of the 31st International Tourism Fair FITCuba, 2011, from 2 to 7 May in the Morro-Cabaña Historical Park of Havana, the most important event of the tourism industry of the island. Tourism is a strategic sector in the plan of economic reforms by President Raul Castro, who has proposed to diversify and expand deals with the creation of golf courses, marinas and new real estate developments, among other projects. The Ministry of Economy and Planning announced last week that in 2011 tourism revenues should grow by 29.5%, while it expects an increase of 10.3% in terms of visitor arrivals. Tourism, the second activity of foreign exchange earnings of the island following the professional and technical services, reported 2010 revenues of U.S. $ 2.1 million after the visit of 2.5 million people, according to official data.