Tourism Minister Reports One Million International Visitors

Cuban Tourism Minister Juan Carlos García announced at the International Tourism Fair (FITCuba 2023) that Cuba had reached one million international visitors, a sign indicating the recovery of the tourism industry.

He said the figure represents an important step to the recovery of the Cuban tourism industry. Recognizing the difficulties in recovering tourism numbers, there is “the hope of reaching the previous figures again.”

Canada continues to be the leading market for issuing international travelers.

The minister was speaking at an international press conference.

Although 51 airlines currently fly to Cuba, there are connectivity limitations which affect tourism. As a result, this year’s FITCuba focuses on the airlines to boost seating capacities. Another source of visitors were the cruise ship arrivals (previously, some 600,000 tourists visited on cruise ships) were affected after measures by the Trump administration, Garcia said.

García also spoke of Havana’s heritage recovery occurring throughout the Island. It is “living heritage,” he said.

Cuba has a vast historical and cultural legacy, consisting of heritage cities older than 500 years, nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 290 national monuments, biodiversity sites, and over 600 km of beach.

FITCuba 2023 continues until tomorrow.