During the present edition of the OTDYKH / Leisure tourist fair, which is held annually in Moscow, it was announced that in the first seven months of 2019 more than 93 thousand 700 Russian visitors arrived in Cuba.

According to Sputnik, they are figures that were announced at the event, considered one of the most important in the sector in Europe and this figure represents a growth of 12% compared to the same period of 2018, when in total they visited the Island more than 137 thousand 900 Russian tourists.

Cuba on this occasion is the partner country of the event and as part of a large delegation composed of businessmen and officials, is the commercial director of the Ministry of Tourism of the Caribbean nation, Michel Bernal, Sputnik reported.

The note states that Bernal said that currently "a large volume of Russian customers" choose to spend their vacations in the "beautiful beaches" of Cuba, while the country also enjoys "many cultural and heritage attributes," among other advantages.

The Cuban official invited Russian businessmen to participate in the development of the Cuban tourism sector, offering the country "a portfolio of opportunities." He mentioned, for example, "166 projects already developed," the Russian media publishes.

Michel Bernal also announced that Russia will be the guest of honor at the next edition of the FITCuba tourism fair, "the most important event in the sector".

Statements by the Ambassador of Cuba in Russia

According to the newspaper, Cuban ambassador to the Kremlin, Gerardo Peñalver Portal, said in a conversation with Radio Sputnik that Russia is the fastest growing emitting market. In this context, he was convinced that the current year will close "with a growth of around 15%".

The Ambassador also said that advances in tourism are only one aspect of the excellent development of relations between Havana and Moscow, which are going through their "best moment" since the fall of the Soviet Union.

"The economic-commercial relations between Cuba and Russia have grown extraordinarily in recent years," said the diplomat, "We began working with Russia on strategic projects for Cuba's long-term economic and social development," he added.