Cuba tourism on the rise

Cuba's tourism industry is recovering strongly from the Covid-19 pandemic as the beautiful island nation recorded a boom in foreign visitors in the first months of 2023.

Argentinian tourist Valentina Fernandez is having the holiday of her dreams after arriving in Cuba's capital Havana for the first time with a group of friends. The 33-year-old was fascinated by the island's beaches and revolutionary history, including Che Guevara's stay in the Caribbean nation.

“This island is amazing. The beaches are beautiful and the people are so nice. We are having a great time here,” said Valentina Fernandez as she walked down the Malecon, Cuba’s most famous seaside promenade.

Cuba also attracts repeat visitors. Juan Gonzalez, who is with his wife, two sons and grandson, waits for a bus to the coastal resort of Varadero, about 90 miles east of Havana. The Spanish tourist said he has been to Cuba three times. His family loves the food, music and countryside of Cuba, as well as the country’s cultural heritage.

Tourists visit a temple in the historic center of Havana, Cuba, May 4, 2023. (Photo: Xinhua)

According to the Ministry of Tourism and the National Information and Statistics Agency of Cuba, in the first four months of 2023, Cuba welcomed more than 1.2 million foreign tourists, an increase of 190% compared to a year earlier.

Visitors from Canada topped the list with about 495,000, followed by visitors from the US with 54,000 and visitors from Russia with 44,000.

“High fuel prices and the US embargo on the island have impacted the flow of European tourists to Cuba,” said Tourism Minister Juan Carlos Garcia.

However, the Cuban government still hopes to welcome about 3.5 million foreign tourists this year as the tourism industry gradually recovers to pre-pandemic levels of more than 4 million visitors annually.

In 2022, Cuba will welcome about 1.7 million foreign tourists, less than the 2.5 million the government had expected.

Tourism is a very important industry for Cuba's economy as it generates revenue from activities providing accommodation, restaurants, travel and customer care services.

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