The Figures Are In! Cuba Tourism Had The Most Successful Year Yet!
Feb 09, 2018
February 6, 2018 – Cuba Tourism is delighted to share the news that 2017 was the most successful year to date welcoming 4.7 million foreign visitors – a 16.2 per cent increase over 2016.
Cuba also welcomed more than 1.1 million Canadian visitors. Canadian visitors remain Cuba’s top priority! Here are some of the exciting stats:
– 44 per cent of Canadian visitors in 2017 had previously visited Cuba
– For the seventh year in a row, Cuba has received more than 1 million Canadian tourists
– Cuba receives more visitors from Canada than from any other country
– Cuba remains the number one destination for Canadians in the Caribbean
– There are more direct flights from Canada (from 30 Canadian cities) including Halifax, St. John, Moncton, Montreal, Quebec City, Hamilton, London, Windsor, Thunder Bay, Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna and Vancouver.
“Peace, health and safety remain the pillars of Cuban Tourism and, ultimately, the factors that explain our incredible growth,” explains Eloy Govea, Director for Canada for the Cuba Tourism Board. “The unique environment allows everyone to thoroughly experience the Auténtica Cuba: our spectacular beaches, incredible people, vibrant culture, fascinating history and unspoiled nature; all of which is particularly accessible and affordable for Canadians.”
More Cruise Ships
– Participating cruise lines docking at many of Cuba’s port cities included MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company), Norwegian, Carnival, Fred Olsen, Holland America, Azamara, Oceania, Viking and Royal Caribbean
Higher Participation in Excursions
– The number of tourists participating in excursions significantly increased
Future Hotel Projects
– The Cuban government aims to have 224 new hotels complete by 2030
– These new hotel projects will add 103,000 new rooms. Therefore the number of hotel rooms will go from the current 68,000 to 171,000 hotel rooms in the next 12 years.
– These new development projects will occur in virtually all regions of Cuba including the main tourists spots such as Varadero and Havana
Growth in 2018
– Coming off the heels of a successful 2017 and a growth rate of 16.2 per cent, it is likely that Cuba will meet its 2018 goal of welcoming 5 million foreign visitors to experience the autentica Cuba.
– Fitur recently named Cuba the “safest country for tourism.”
About the Cuban Tourism Board
The Cuban Tourism Board represents Cuba internationally as a vacation destination. Known for the warmth and friendliness of its people, spectacular beaches and reliable climate, the Cuban Tourism Board is responsible for providing leadership and awareness of Cuba’s extensive tourism offerings. Not only does Cuba have some of the most spectacular beaches in the Caribbean but it is a destination rich in culture, history and leisure activities. The Cuban Tourism Board showcases the spirit of Cuba and the wonderful opportunities the country has to offer. For more information, visit www.GoCuba.ca.
