Wednesday, 14 December 2011 13:37
Photo courtesy of estaticos.elperiodico
From the news that systematically get published by the National Statistics Office (ONE), I could draw some interesting facts that I would like to share with you, concerning the increasing numbers of tourists going to Cuba.
The number of tourists coming from all over the world is increasing, except from the Middle East, Africa and Southern Europe. Most tourists (42.2%) are from the North American continent. In general, all nations show an increase in the number of tourists going to Cuba, the Canadians representing 38.2% of all. However, numbers from Italy, Portugal, Peru, and Brazil are decreasing.
Although some might have another impression, the statistics reveal that there are traveling as many women (50.3%) as men (49.7%) to the country; if we look at the age range, we observe that women traveling to Cuba are mostly between 15 and 24 years old, whereas men are between 45 and 60 years old. March seems to be the strongest month, followed by January and February. However, the highest occupation rate is achieved in February (closet to 80%), while from March to July the rate is around 60%.
The economic income from tourism from January to September 2011 was of 1’343’909'000 Dollars, which is an increase of 12.4% compared to the previous year and 2’700’000 tourists are expected until the end of the year, which means 200’000 more than in 2010.
The Eastern part of the Island is the most visited one, especially the touristic centers of Varadero and Havana, “the most elegant and historic city in the Caribbean and without a doubt, one of the top ones on the continent”, as a journalist stated.
The Cuban authorities are now aiming to attract more families as well as building more ports and new golf courses.
