Havana, March 12 (RHC)-- Cuba welcomed its first one-millionth vacationer over the weekend, further confirming the country's recognition as a peaceful and safe destination for travelers from around the world.

The Cuban Tourism Ministry reports that this result was obtained amidst the stepped up slander campaign against Cuba, including a travel warning issued by the U.S. State Department to try to stop the flow of US visitors to the Caribbean island.

The Tourism Ministry noted that the main market of tourists to Cuba is Canada, followed by France, Germany, Italy, Britain, Russia and Spain, Mexico and Argentina, in that order.

The communique also highlights that Cuba reached its first one-millionth vacationer mark this year, despite the severe damage inflicted by Hurricane Irma, in September of 2017.

Tourism has grown significantly in Cuba over the past two decades, with the record number of four million 700 thousand visitors in 2017.

Tourism is a main income source for the country's economy, along with the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector and the provision of health services.