The Cuban tourism industry should aim to attract visitors from all over the world in order to continue its growth, it has been claimed.

Amir Girgis, economist at the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), said it highly recommended Cuba targets the “entire global market” rather than focus on specific regions.

He added: “The rise of emerging markets creates a new source of travellers as well as travel destinations.

“Cuba should thus embrace globalisation and use it to their advantage.”

Meanwhile, the Cuban ministry of tourism has reported a 15 per cent increase in visitors to the Caribbean island during the first quarter of 2008.

Maria Elena Lopez, a vice minister of Cuban tourism, said the figures hinted at an industry recovery following a two-year slump.

The ministry also reported that the number of international visitors in 2008 reached the one million mark 22 days faster than last year.

A forum for business leaders in the travel industry, the WTTC works to raise awareness of tourism as one of the world’s largest industries.

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