Havana - Two million foreign tourists have arrived in Cuba in the first four months of the year for a record number and a 15% increase, recorded 39 days earlier than last year.

The stats was provided by Tourism Minister, Manuel Marrero, when opening the 37th International Tourism Fair, FITCuba 2017, taking place in Holguin, an attractive and growing destination in eastern Cuba.

Canada continues to be the island's first tourist market contributing 34% of the total of arrivals. However, during the first quarter of 2017, the USA made a relevant contribution, thus Canada and the USA covered 45% of all the travelers. Europe comes next with 33% of arrivals and Latin America, 16%.

Marrero recalled Cuba welcomed for the first ever 4 million tourists in 2016 for a 14,5% hike with respect to 2015.

In all 68 airlines are flying today to the island from 70 big cities around the world, and 25 cruise vessels are docking in Cuban ports, and shortly 8 more will join adding 265 ports of call and over 170,000 passengers.

The cruise ships are making ports of call in Havana, Cienfuegos, Casilda, Punta Francés, María la Gorda and Santiago de Cuba. Companies are interested in adding new destinations and terminals.

The Minister pointed out that surveys done during the first three months of the year indicate that 95% of foreign tourists expressed satisfaction, 86% said to be pleased with quality-price ration, 96% recommended the Cuban destination and 41% has returned.