Article Directory :: Travel & Leisure Articles Cuba Making Impressive Gains in Tourism By Keith Howard Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 20Mar2012 Word count: 453 Viewed: 78 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site During a press conference in Barbados on February 15, officials from the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) announced that Cuba was leading all tourist destinations in the Caribbean in terms of overall growth. In 2011 Cuba topped the list for total growth for the entire year followed by the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Combined numbers from the top four showed a growth rate of about 4.2% in 2011 over the year before. CTO officials stated the numbers are following the historical trends typically sent by the "big four." While they occasionally swap positions back and forth from year to year, they typically own the top four slots in terms of total arrivals and market share. Interestingly enough, Jamaica was not mentioned at all in the CTO's remarks. Meanwhile, tourism officials from Cuba are presently in Europe pitching their nation as a top Caribbean destination. On February 14 the group presented Cuba at the Belgian Salon des Vacances Fair held at the Expo Brussels Exhibition Centre in the nation's capital. The delegation presented its "Cuba for Real" program which was among the most visited pavilions in the Caribbean section of the event. Belgian officials claim that previous marketing activities by Cuba have caused a rise in arrivals from that country to the tune of about 10% last year. On February 15 the delegation moved on to Italy where they presented at the 32nd Italian Tourism Bureau events. Their attendance in Italy is designed to both promote Cuba as a destination and strengthen ties between the tourism industries within the two nations. Together they have agreed to cross promote one another's events for 2012 including the International Tourism Fair, FITCuba 2012, and others. Though Cuba luxury holidays are still not in the same league with destinations like Mauritius, the Maldives, and St. Lucia, Cuba is making a strong showing on the international stage. Since the passing of the torch from Fidel Castro to his brother Raul last year, Cuba has been aggressively working to build its reputation as a travel destination. Government officials realize that tourism is at the heart of the nation's economy at this time. Reform efforts are now under way to encourage private property ownership, especially where it pertains to the tourism industry. Visitors to the island can expect the typical Caribbean weather along with beautiful natural surroundings, comfortable luxury resorts, and amenities as good as you'll find anywhere else. Culturally speaking, Cubans love their music and dance and are more than happy to share it with visitors. For example, tourists are more than welcome to join the locals in the evening for some good food, a drink or two, and a night of Salsa dancing. Cuba luxury holidays are but one of the options available from Airworld Tours the UK-based luxury holiday company specialising in the Caribbean and Indian Ocean regions. EasyPublish™ this article - publishers click here More articles by Keith Howard

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