Number of Russian tourists to Cuba doubles in 2011

The number of Russian tourists to Cuba has doubled in 2011, reaching about 46,000 tourists so far this year, the Cuban Ministry of Tourism said Thursday. In order to attract more Russian visitors, Cuban tourism authorities are promoting more programs, including package tours to the cultural and historical sites widely remembered by the two peoples. Luxurious hotels and accommodations in both cultural and historical centers in Havana and other parts of the Caribbean island are included in the packages, the tourism ministry said. Cuba is participating in Moscow's ongoing International Trade Fair For Tourism, Leisure 2011, to attract more Russian tourists. The greater influx of Russian tourists is a result of improved political and economic ties between Havana and Moscow since 2001. Cuban tourism authorities expect Russian visitors not only to enjoy the tropical sun and sea, but also to seek out historical places from the Cold War era that they or their ancestors were familiar with. Russia ranks ninth on the list of countries which have the largest number of visitors to Cuba, behind Canada, Britain, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Mexico and Argentina. Cuba announced last Saturday that the total number of visitors in 2011amounts to 2 million, still short of the expected 2.7 million at the end of the year. Tourism is a major revenue contributor to the island nation, reaching over 2 billion U.S. dollars a year.