Tourism in Cuba

At the closing of year 2003, according to Cuban Government's statistics, 1.9 million tourists had visited the island that year; over 51 % of them came from the European Union. Official records show that in year 2002 Cuba received 1'668,152 tourists, from which 859,100 were European.

Tourism is one of Cuba 's economic activities with one of the largest foreign investment. Tourism revenues were an estimate US $1.7 billion for year 2002 . There are 77 Economic Cooperation Associations in Cuban tourist sector. Countries which make the largest investments in the area of tourism are France and Spain . Most joint ventures were established with parties in Spain , France , Germany , Italy , England and Canada.

Although this sector has become a vital element in Cuban economy, unfortunately the Direct Foreign Investment system established by Cuban Government as of Law 77 of 1995 has created a method which strengthens the regime and reinforces government finances at the expense of fundamental rights and the labor rights of the workers in the island and under the accomplice silence of international investors in the island.