Havana - High season of tourism in Cuba, starting today and extending to the end of April, has this year a higher interest driven by the purpose of reinforcing a climbing spiral in the travel industry.

Cuban tourism has wide targets in the present with promising plans for the immediate future based on the island's potentialities, according to authorities of the sector.

Some executives of the sector in the island have considered that at the closing of 2018, could be reached the longed for five million foreign visitors.

And this is considered still with about 4.7 million received last year and 11.6 percent growth, a good position in the Caribbean, only surpassed by the Dominican Republic.

Anyway, even the Cuban minister of Tourism, Manuel Marrero, considers the country is ready for the new winter season or high of the travel industry.

Marrero has said that despite damages caused by weather phenomena last year and the harshening of the economic and commercial snags of the U.S. in 2018, the island received over 3.5 million visitors.

Some markets like that of Mexico, showed dynamism with a rise of 22 percent, with 130 thousand 258 Mexican tourists this year, which could go beyond 155 thousand.

However, the main emitting countries are Canada (first), followed by the United States despite the obstacles mentioned, and several European nations.

Security, variety of proposals and kind nature of Cubans are among the most attractive aspects for many visitors.

Sun and Beach attractions, a wide array which includes nature, history, events and incentive trips, nautics and quality of life, complete a full portfolio for Cuban tourism.

Cuba has 69 thousand 286 hotel rooms, with 69 percent in the categories of four and five stars should conclude this year with five thousand new hotel rooms, as was estimated.

There are 21 hotels managed by foreign firms, meaning 45 thousand 333 rooms and 95 management contracts.

Operating in the country there are 27 joint ventures with five thousand rooms. Also, it is planned for 2030 a total of 610 new projects, and the country will have 103 thousand hotel rooms by that date.

Cuba has a potential evaluated of 400 thousand hotel rooms, apart from private homes for rent, which receive support from the Ministry of Tourism (Mintur).

As for the main tourists-emitting countries, the most important with 34 percent is Canada, while both the U.S. and Canada make up for 45 percent of the global arrival of travelers, followed by Europe with 33 percent.