Cuba celebrates World Tourism Day with excellent figures

World Tourism Day is especially important for Cuba as the industry represents 7 percent of the country´s GDP, said representatives of the Tourism Ministry.

During the first semester of this year, tourism grew 17 percent with 2 million 194 thousand 134 visitors compared to the same period in 2014, according to statements from the Cuban Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero.

Over 3 million tourists traveled to the Caribbean island in 2014 contributing to the country´s economy calculated at 2.7 billion dollars.
On occasion of the celebrations the World Tourism Organization organized activities with the slogan "billions of tourists, billions of opportunities, highlighting the benefits of the sector to socioeconomic development.

According to WTO estimates, over one billion tourists travel worldwide making the industry a powerful force in the lives of millions of people.

The sector contributes 10 percent of the world's GDP and 6 percent of the total exports, said the WTO General Secretary, Teleb Rifai.

The representative also recognized the potential of the industry to counter the world's more urgent challenges like socioeconomic growth, integral development and the protection of the environment.