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 The
tourism is not a new activity in Cuba. The natural beauties of the
country and its cultural and historical heritage have been always of the
attraction of foreign visitors. Starting from 1959, with the triumph of
the Revolution, the development of the economy was directed to other
important programs of the country regarding the economic and social life
of the country.
In the 80's the reopening begins to the international tourism, but it is
in 1990 that a new focus of the development of this sector takes place,
the first mixed companies are created and there is an accelerated growth
in the arrivals of visitors and in the revenues. From 1996, when it was
possible for the first time to surpass the million of visitors, Cuba has
intended to consolidate like destination of the Caribbean and world.
To market its tourist product, the biggest of the Antilles counts,
mainly, with the popular hospitality and quality of its people,
exceptional natural attractiveness, a historical autochthonous
patrimony, fruitful artistic and cultural life and a unique sanitary
development, the political stability and the security for the tourists.
Cuba's tourism industry, which is among the fastest-growing sectors in
the Caribbean region, offers a huge potential to develop traditional
beach and sun programs, as well as cultural and historical programs. In
addition, recreation is complemented by additional attractions,
including gastronomy, health tourism, nautical activities, culture and
diving. Therefore, tourism in Cuba is combined with medical treatments
to improve vacationers' quality of life.
 The very development of Cuba's five-century-old society is present in
many culinary options that have been enriched by dishes from other
countries like Spain, Italy, China, among others.
The infrastructure of Cuba's tourism industry is aimed at protecting the
country's historic and cultural wealth, so it is complemented by a
nationwide network of more than 300 museums. |
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More than 190 facilities in operation for international tourism
guarantee in Cuba space to meet the requirements of all kind of
visitors.
One million tourists visited Cuba in the first quarter of 2008, and did
so in record time. The number of arriving tourists had increased by 15%
compared to the same period in 2007 and the standards of the country's
tourist project enjoys nowadays stability in the regional market and has
seen over two million tourists annually for four consecutive years. The
mains sources of tourists are Canada, Europe and Latin American
countries.
Health tourism:
Cuban tourism industry follows the classic example of the Cuban health
system which has gained a lot of ground all over the world and lots of
foreign visitors come to Cuba to heal their affections.
Cuba offers a wide project of bio medical investigations with the aim of
offering a caring and modern medical attention. The high level of its
professionals in the medical programs guarantee specialized treatments,
welfare and exclusive programs that help to improve the quality of life.Currently
Cuba features 10 international clinics with primary attention and
emergency 24 hours a day and also 15 specialized centers in
different matters, all endorsed by great prestige, that makes them
be reference center worldwide. |
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Beaches:
The infrastructure of Cuba's tourism industry is aimed at protecting the
country's historic and cultural wealth, so it is complemented by a
nationwide network of more than 300 museums.
 The opinions of all the visitors who have come to Cuba and those who
always want to come back to enjoy once more of the good things about our
island, are enough reasons to have Cuba among the main sun and sand
destinations in the Caribbean.
Noted by its clean condition, the Cuban coasts feature marvelous
ecosystems easily notice through the high level of conservation of its
more than 300 beaches.Varadero is the most famous beach in Cuba and the
most famous sun and sand destination. It's a mixture of many dreams,
earlier perspectives, later on became projects and eventually facts.
Diving:
Diving enthusiasts can enjoy more than 70,000 kilometer of Cuba's
insular platform and 5,000 kilometer of coastline, bathed by the
Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
Coral formations are only a few meters from the Cuban coasts and among
its advantages are the protection to its beaches, attractive diving
sessions and the safe practice of water sports. Our coasts are also a
shelter for flora and fauna made up of fish of different kinds and
shapes.
 Cuba features more than 500 diving sites, spread all over exotic
underwater landscapes. Caves, vertical walls, tunnels and channels offer
infinite options for diving.
Discovering Nature
In Cuba, from one side to the other, you will find areas of great beauty
and high ecotourism values. Nowadays apart from Biosphere Reserves,
Natural Landscapes, National Parks, Ecological Reserves, World Heritages
are more than 300 protected areas which are 22 % of the national
territory. Some of these sites are among the favorite of nature tourism
lovers.
Cuba, with more than four thousand keys and islands, is an ideal place
for the development of the eco-tourism. According to the specialists, in
the country six thousand 370 botanical species exist, of which some
three thousand 180 are endemic. The fauna is extraordinarily abundant
and varied, with more than 13 thousand species. |
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Knowing Culture:
Cuba's culture is very prestigious. Its happy people live very rooted to
its traditions and customs. Havana, capital of Cuba since the 16th
century, is one of the Caribbean cities with the most rich and ancient
cultural heritages. Its historical center and its system of fortresses
were declared World Heritage.
 If you take a tour of the cities you will see the development of music,
dance or plastic arts, manifestations that have left a trace in the
world. The fortifications of the Spanish military engineering can be
seen in many cities of Cuba as well as the patrimonial and architectonic
value of many of the constructions.
Many important festivals like the ballet, cinema, Habanos are held in
Cuba, thanks to the prestige the island has earned worldwide.
An intense and permanent cultural life has been a Cuban characteristic
for more than forty years now. Hundreds of cultural centers and
institutions, museums, art galleries and important historical sites can
be found throughout the archipelago. Many of them are a powerful
attraction for tourists interested in knowing a little more about the
roots and customs of this island of dreams.
Excursions
 The variety of tourist that Cuba offers does not leave gaps for visitors
to get bored. For those who arrive in the Island, there is a wide
program of excursions and tours, with different resorts within the
country as departure points. Options encompass almost the entire range
of interests: city tours and visits to sites of historical,
architectural or cultural interest, tours to beautiful rural sites,
visits to cigar, sugar and rum factories, museums, cultural and
recreational centers, marine activities and excursions, and much more. |
