Despite numerous setbacks, including the two initial months with decreases in tourism, March and April have recovered the deficit, ratifying Cuba as one of the leading destinations in the Caribbean, despite only 50 % of its natural market because of the U.S blockade.

At the end of the first four months the country is showing a rise in tourism. One of its competitive advantages is its clear ability to grow faced with adversities, in a short period of time.

It is noteworthy that, despite of the increased competition on unfavorable conditions, the economic situation, climate change and the limitations to access to the 50% of the Caribbean tourism market, Cuba has challenged the situation and improved its national economy, which is no stranger to the current global scourges. 

The Minister of Tourism, Manuel Marrero said that the island has overcome these setbacks and in the first four months of this year has been visited by more than a million tourists, which is considered an achievement taking into consideration January and February were the worst months.

The national authorities have decided to continue working on this sector with options such as marinas, golf courses and other tourism investments, while seeking to design the best strategy to improve the sugar industry, displaced by the leisure industry, which generates an annual income of about two billion dollars. 

The results of the January-April period strengthen the tourism sector, which closed with a 3.5 percent increase over the previous year, when global tourism activity closed with a 4.3 percent decline.

Cuba is visited annually by a million Canadian tourists. However, Europe has lagged behind and only Spain shows an increase, mainly Cuban immigrants, becoming one of the most important sources of visitors, as well as in the national market.

Then, there is the upward trend in the territories of the region such as Argentina, Colombia, Chile and Peru, which are increasing their potential. However, there are still significant untapped reserves in other directions as in the case of Brazil, Venezuela and Mexico. Similarly, Russia, China and India are looking at Cuba as a future destination.

At the International Tourism Fair FITCUBA 2010 - recently concluded - it was revealed that the 50,000 rooms currently available will receive another 20,000 in the next five years; as well as other investments  to make the Bay of Havana into an extraordinary tourist port and improvements in Varadero airport and the terminal two at the Jose Marti, among other works.

These plans will become other phases of the local tourism development, included among the most important of the Americas and the Caribbean, since in two decades it has succeeded in climbing 14 positions to reach the ninth position of preference among the destinations of the region.

In the past two decades, Cuba has received 29 million visitors from more than 70 countries, a period in which the nation has opted for a safe and sustainable tourism. It should be noted that for six years, running smoothly, Cuba has exceeded two million international arrivals.

The thirteenth International Tourism Fair of Cuba was dedicated to promote Events and Incentives, the Eastern region of Cuba and the Russian tourism.

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