Cuba received in the first half of 2012, 1 626 243 tourists, representing an increase of 5.8% over the same period of last year, the Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR) said.

According to Alexis Trujillo, first deputy minister of tourism on the island, Canada continues to be the first emitting market country, while nations such as Russia and Argentina showed a significant growth in the amount of tourists to Cuban destinations.

Trujillo spoke to the Cuban Parliament’s Standing Commission for Assistance to the Services, one of 12 such commissions working prior to the Ninth Ordinary Period of Sessions of the People's National Assembly to be held today, highlighted the steps taken by MINTUR to improve its performance.

He explained that while in January the number of Canadian tourists decreased, in the next stage they reached the normal rates and it reported a 6.4% growth by the end of June.

Trujillo said further that during the first six months of the year, tourism revenue grew 7.2%, while domestic tourism shows an increase of 30%.

On the other hand, he said that since they have not yet fulfilled their plan as to the arrival of travelers, which behaves to 97.4%, they are implementing new strategies to have a year as close as possible to forecast.

The official also said that these actions are aimed at reducing costs, increasing revenue and improving marketing of the products offered.

“Thus we expect to conclude in 2012 with 2 920 000 visitors, a figure never before recorded by Cuba,” he said.

Trujillo delivered a report on major investments made in tourism, which include the construction of new hotel facilities, especially in the center of the island, in the city of Trinidad, and Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo resorts. /AIN

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