Cuban tourism earnings grow 15 pct in first half of 2016

HAVANA, Cuba, Nov 11 (acn) The Cuban tourist sector earned more than 1.2 billion dollars in the first half of this year, standing for a 15-percent growth if compared to same period in 2015, according to the island´s National Statistics and Information Office (ONEI).
The areas of catering, general recreation, accommodations and transport contributed major income increase to the sector, according to the ONEI report, which was based on data from state-owned entities under the Tourism Ministry.
The report, cited by international media outlets, does not include the contribution made by the emerging private sector, which operates rented homes and catering services throughout the island.
By early October, Cuba reported 3 million tourist arrivals, out of 3.7 million visitors expected to come in 2016. Such growth will lead Cuban tourism to increase its infrastructure by building 108 thousand new hotel rooms up to the year 2030.
Canada keeps heading the group of major tourist sources to Cuba, followed by the Cuban community oversees, Germany, France, Italy, U.K., Mexico, Argentina and Spain. All these sources have reported increases in the number of their nationals to Cuba.