Cuban Tourism Grows Amidst Economic Crisis

[dipsydoodle]

Havana, Nov 10 (Prensa Latina) Cuban tourism grew in the first nine months of 2010 with a 3.25 percent rise in income compared to the same period in 2009, according to official reports.

A report of the National Statistics Office (ONE) underlined the growing local recreation industry, which overcame the obstacles imposed by the world's economic crisis and is surpassing its own expectations.

Canada was Cuba's largest sources of tourism revenue, with 733,142 visitors, followed by the United Kingdom with 133,006, Italy with 85,813, Spain with 79,583 and Germany with 65,906.

Tourism is one of the most important income sources for Cuba and reported revenues equivalent to $2.1 billion after the visit of 2.43 million people in 2009, reflecting an increase of 3.5 percent compared to the number of visitors in 2008, ONE notes.

http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=236764&Itemid=1

Sad but true - part of the increase is attributable to tourists from both Canada and the EU wanting access before there is any risk of American tourists gaining easy access in abundance.

[flamingdem]

1. Good news! Sad also is that Americans may have to wait another decade to go! nt

[social_critic]

2. what economic crisis?

Canada and the Euro area are out of the economic crisis. Both report growing GDP rates. There are some rough spots (such as Greece and Ireland), but the world is definitely out of the economic crisis. Employment should start to rebound soon around the world. All we need is more fiscal responsibility and a greater savings rate, which can easily be achieved if nations stop fighting useless wars and buying so many weapons.

[Judi Lynn]

3. Cuba tourism inches up despite global economy

Cuba tourism inches up despite global economy
Updated: November 11, 2010, 10:15 AM


HAVANA (AP) - Cuba says tourism on the island has inched up during the first nine months of 2010, with both revenue and the number of visitors climbing despite global economic weakness.

Revenue through September was $1.3 billion, up 3.5 percent from the $1.26 billion reported over the same period last year. The number of tourists also increased during the period, up about 50,000 to 1.89 million through September.

Canada remains the country that sends most tourists to the island - with 733,000 in the first nine months of 2010 - followed by Great Britain, Italy, Spain and Germany. U.S. tourists are effectively barred from coming to Cuba, and Washington has maintained a 48-year trade embargo on the island.

Tourism and nickel production are Cuba's main sources of income. The country is in the midst of a deep economic downturn. Communist leaders are in the process of revamping the economy, injecting a measure of free market capitalism into the state-dominated system.

http://www.buffalonews.com/wire-feeds/24-hour-world-news/article249330.ece