Cuban Tourist Investment Growing, Says Minister

Havana, Apr 12. – Cuba insists in a strong investment process to develop more the tourism industry, with 2.9 million visitors expected this year, according to Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero.

In remarks to journalists at the 9th International Fair of Construction (FECONS 2012) in Pabexpo exhibition center, in Havana, Marrero explained that the fair is expected to contribute to attain the goals of the investment plan in terms of hotel capacities and also in terms of the recovery of patrimonial buildings of tourist interest.

Marrero cited measures including funds to build new hotels in the area of the cays and the construction of gulf courses and dolphinariums aimed at increasing family tourist attractions.

He described FECONS as an important channel for these plans due to the presence of firms and suppliers of modern technologies, with emphasis on energy saving and low-budget constructive processes.

Marrero stressed the priority of tourism to boost the countryâ�Ös economy and replace imports, besides collecting funds for the nationâ�Ös industrial process.

He announced that the upcoming International Tourism Fair (FITCuba 2012), to be held on May 8-11 in Cayo Santa Maria, in central-northern Cuba, is expected to have a larger presence of foreign firms.

It will be dedicated to Argentina, as a guest of honor, to the cays as a product and to the family as a segment.

Cuba currently boasts over 50,000 rooms in some 300 hotels, with eight priority regions for tourism development countrywide, and authorities hope to receive soon three million visitors per year.(Prensa Latina)