Cuba Sets a New Height for Caribbean Tourism’s Peak Season

Cuba’s tourism sector seems resilient to recession as the country observed record number of tourist arrivals during its peak tourist season.

According to figures released by the Cuban National Statistics Office (ONE), Cuba recorded 809,937 tourist arrivals during Q1 2009, setting a new record for the peak tourist season in the Caribbean region, as reported by CUBAN NEWS AGENCY.

Beating all the past reports, tourist arrivals in Cuba increased by 2% from the figure recorded in Q1 2008. This is especially important as this growth has come amid global recession that has severely affected the worldwide tourism industry. As per the official figures, in 2008, total 2.3 Million visitors visited the country, 9.7% higher in comparison of 2007, and spent $2.7 Billion. Cuba’s tourism officials have projected a figure of 2.5 Million tourist arrivals in 2009.

Canada posted the highest number of tourists to the island, which was followed by Britain, Italy, Spain and Germany. Cuba’s economy largely relies on its tourism industry, which employs around 300,000 people. Tourism, one of the highly resistant sectors of the economy, may suggest some strategic way to support the economy at a time when the global economic scenario is not optimistic.  

Cuba opened its door for the overseas tourists in 1980. After the drying up of tourism from the Soviet bloc, it has been constantly depending upon a few millions of European, Canadian, South American and Australian tourists. 

Besides, for long, a 47-year old US trade ban has been restricting the citizens of US from visiting Cuba. However, the situation seems to be changing as legislation to lift this ban is pending at present in the American Senate. Supporters are speculating that the legislation could be passed, which could be a major development in softening the relations of US with Cuba.

According to a Research Analyst at RNCOS, “Cuba saw increase in tourist arrivals in Q1 2009. Also, the US is thinking to lift-up the prohibition on traveling of Americans to Cuba by passing a legislation. On the approval of this law, large numbers of Americans are expected to visit Cuba. So, the island should improve both the quality and capacity of its tourist infrastructure.”

Related Market Research Reports:
Turkey Tourism Industry Forecast to 2012
Vietnam Tourism Industry Forecast to 2012
Opportunities in Singapore Tourism Industry (2007-2009)