Cuba benefits from tourism, a fast-growing economic sector, based on the country's natural, historic and cultural values and the complement of its excellent tropical climate.

Dozens of kilometers of white-sand beaches bathed by warm waters are a major attraction for thousands of foreign tourists who visit Cuba every year.

Traditional sun and beach options are complemented by more than 70,000 kilometers of Cuba's insular platform and 5,000 kilometers of shores, bathed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

In addition, three dozen diving centers operate nationwide to provide initiation courses and diving excursions in the coral reefs and caverns, following strict international standards for nautical activities.

Cuba's nature is also complemented by the country's historic and cultural values.

Cuba's mountain ecosystems are also affected by the fast growth of the tourism sector, so many tours include visits to the countryside and farms.

The potential of nature tourism lies on the country's relief, as Cuba has four major mountain ranges that cover about 21 percent of the island's total area, in addition to 37 percent of its surface covered by forests.

Sports also provide an additional value to the tourist industry.

Known all over the world by its excellence in baseball (the country's national pastime), boxing, track and field, wrestling, judo and volleyball, among others, Cuba every year receives thousands of vacationers who come here to practice sports.

Regarding culture, Cuba has some 120 art galleries, antique shops and plastic arts exhibition halls, in addition to nearly 260 museums and more than 80 multiuse theaters.

Cuba's cultural calendar includes many meetings, workshops, festivals, congresses and specialized courses to meet most people's artistic demands.

As an additional element for the tourist sector's development, a new sectorial policy to promote foreign investments is expected to be approved soon and a complementary legislation will be enacted to carry out real estate projects linked to golf courses.

The Cuban government plans to build golf courses linked to exclusive apartment buildings that will provide a wide range of services for foreign residents.

Moreover, tourist authorities expect to improve the standards of five-star hotels, in tune with modernity and the offers in other tourist destinations.