Share

Cuban tourism industry stalls

Havana - The Cuban tourism industry stagnated in 2013 and is struggling this year for more visitors, a government report said on Wednesday, the latest indication of a general slowdown in the country's economy.

Tourist arrivals last year numbered 2.8 million and income totaled $2.3bn, similar to 2012, according to the National Statistics Office statistical abstract for 2013.

Tourism is one of the Caribbean island's most important hard currency earners, after the export of professional services and remittances, and a major employer.

The industry faces a US ban on travel to the Communist-run country, with the exception of Cuban Americans and licensed US citizens.

An estimated 350 000 to 400 000 Cuban Americans visit each year, but the government does not count them as tourists.

The statistics office report said 92 000 US citizens not of Cuban origin visited Cuba last year, down from 98 000 in 2012.

The official Juventud Rebelde newspaper said another report by the statistics office showed tourism was up 3.9% through June, due to increased arrivals earlier in the year, but declined 1.5% last month compared with June of last year.

"After an optimistic start this year, the arrival of travelers gradually has slowed," Juventud Rebelde said.

The newspaper cited a speech by Economy Minister Adel Yzquirdo earlier this month in which he criticized the sector for poor organization and promotion abroad.

The Cuban economy grew just 0.06% during the first semester of the year, compared with a 2.7% increase in the gross domestic product in 2013.

Cuba set a goal of three million visitors in 2013 and again for this year.

"At this rate it will be difficult to arrive at the anxiously awaited three million visitors, a psychological barrier that we have not been able to reach and at times appears unreachable," Juventud Rebelde said.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
19.00
-0.3%
Rand - Pound
24.15
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.64
-0.3%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.38
+0.4%
Rand - Yen
0.13
+0.4%
Platinum
905.16
-2.0%
Palladium
1,006.63
+0.1%
Gold
2,154.73
-0.3%
Silver
24.92
-0.5%
Brent Crude
86.89
+1.8%
Top 40
65,996
-0.4%
All Share
72,197
-0.3%
Resource 10
53,320
0.0%
Industrial 25
99,852
-0.6%
Financial 15
16,590
-0.2%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders