The 13th International Wine Festival of Havana at the National Hotel of Cuba constitutes a major boost for the development of high-end tourism in the island, organizers of the upcoming event said Thursday.

Cuba has registered a significant rise in tourist arrivals in the first seven months of 2012, with the National Statistics Office reporting a 5,4 percent growth compared to the same period last year.

Cuban tourism sector reflects today favorable results, with high increases in arrivals, overnight stays, hotel occupancy and revenues, official sources reported.