Cuba has said that it is trying very hard to increase its levels of tourism in the coming years. It has been a strong tourist destination for a while now, but has seen a drop recently in European visitors and would like to regain these if possible. There was an increase in visitors last year from 2.15 million to 2.25million people, which likely came about through better financial investment in tourist areas. Cuba has also worked hard on its foreign diplomacy in recent years in attempts dispel outdated, potentially harmful impressions of the country that may put people off visiting on Cuba holidays

Maria Elana Lopez Reyes, the Deputy Tourism Minister has outlines that continuing to increase visitor numbers is a priority.Building 3000 new hotel rooms in popular destinations is one idea that has been but forward for action. It is hoped that more people will want to visit if they can be offered a better range and quality of accommodation. There has been development also in the luxury holidays market, as Cuba attempts to pull in holiday with more expensive tastes. Further to this, Miss Lopez Reyes has announced hopes that the new US government administration will relax the current travel ban that prohibits US citizens visiting Cuba legally. Nearly 50,000 people from the States enter Cuba every year but it is agreed by all that this figure would be a lot larger if entry was made fully legal.

This year also sees Cuba hosting the first International Culinary Festival of the Caribbean. This event hosts experts in the field of food from countries across the region to talk about various topics including recipes, techniques and cooking methods. The festival also aims to reinforce the importance of local and traditional dishes in strengthening cultural identity. The festival will be held in the East of the country in a Santiago De Cuba and there are hopes that it will help aid the current tourism efforts.