HAVANA, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The number of international visitors to Cuba so far this year has reached 3 million, said a release from the island's Tourism Ministry on Friday.
"This result is achieved despite the campaigns directed by the U.S. government to prevent the flow of tourists to our country," said the release.
According to local tourism authorities, it proves the confidence and recognition achieved by Cuba as a destination that offers security and quality to its visitors.
Canada continues to be the most important source country for tourists to the island followed by European countries. Russia stands out as the one with the highest growth rate, with development prospects for the coming seasons.
Cuba ended the first quarter of 2019 with a 7.2-percent increase in foreign tourist arrivals, slightly higher than forecasted. The nation expects to receive 5.1 million visitors this year.
Tourism is Cuba's second largest source of foreign revenue, bringing in over 3 billion U.S. dollars last year, an increase of 17.6 percent compared with that of 2017.
