According to Granma newspaper, the issue was discussed at an annual balance meeting of the Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR), which was chaired by President Miguel Díaz-Canel and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero.

In 2024, Cuba is expected to receive more than three million visitors, after the growth registered in 2023 with a number of tourists that exceeded 2.4 million, the forum noted.

Canada remains in its position as Cuba’s main tourist sending market, while the number of vacationers from Russia, Spain, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands increased, according to the report.

Authorities said that the post-Covid-19 recovery is progressing here despite the coercive actions of the Government of the United States, whose unilateral measures continued to increase even during the health crisis caused by the pandemic.

Despite all adversities, Cuba’s tourism industry has many unique things to show visitors, said Díaz-Canel, who urged to use hotel entertainment to spread the richness of Cuban culture.

In this regard, he urged to take better advantage of “what distinguishes us as a people”, as well as to use science and innovation with creativity.

According to Marrero, the tourism sector must also improve the planning of its potential and consolidate linkages with non-state management.

In the Executive’s opinion, the sector’s boom should boost the rest of the economy, hence the importance of expanding productive alliances with different players, including cooperatives, self-employed workers, and micro, small and medium-sized private enterprises.

MINTUR data show that currently 69 percent of the branch’s purchases are linked to the domestic industry, but this is still insufficient.

In recent years, several companies have modified their technological lines and organizational concepts with the purpose of reducing imports of different products, while more than 250 tourist facilities have established direct links with producers to ensure supplies, including fresh agricultural products, according to MINTUR.

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