Havana - A two-day meeting of the Latin American Hotel and Tourism Investment Conferences (SAHIC) opens today at Melia Cohiba Hotel in Havana, with the eyes set on the island''s growing tourism.

SAHIC president, Arturo Garcia, stated that this country could become second as tourist destination in Latin America.

This depends on investors interested in the travel industry playing a bigger role. He said Cuba welcome at least 12 million visitors, to come second after Mexico in the region.

The gathering, today and tomorrow, takes place for the first time in the Caribbean at Cohiba Hotel's halls. About 250 hoteliers, executives and high-level specialists interested in the Cuban tourist development are attending the event.

The Conference turns 10 years old, and it is responsible for investments and projects in hotel and recreational industries of small, medium and great relevance.

This meeting in Havana is a great opportunity for Cuba, as senior executives of the sector come from Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and most from the United States.

Delegates from Marriott and Hilton hotel chains have expressed their interest in Cuba's opportunities for hotel business regardless of whether Washington's trade restrictions against the island are still unchanged, Garcia said.

The president of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), David Scowsill, is also participating. These elements shows the growing importance Cuba is gaining in the hospitality business.

Cuba participated in SAHIC's two most recent events: Lima, Peru (2015) and Guayaquil, Ecuador (2016).