Cuban Minister of Tourism Manuel Marrero announced that, during the first quarter of the current year, the number of visitors has grown 14 percent compared to the same period in 2016.

Minister Marrero forecasts the uptrend will continue in the summer, when usually the numbers go down, but airlines have confirmed they have booked more seats than in previous years, he said.

He pointed out that, though the numbers bring them satisfaction, the Ministry is undertaking a group of actions to encourage tourists to extend their stay in the country.

He also spoke on the uplift the entire industry is taking in the country, with new hotels and many projects that will allow Cuba to have more diversified offers for visitors.

Also, the growing number of private rental houses and restaurants opens new possibilities to face the steady growth of tourists, he added.

In 2016, the amount of visitors to Cuba reached the 4 million mark for the first time in history, and the year was the third in a row with over 10 percent growth