Cuba, the largest of the Antilles, strategically located in the Caribbean, shows a positive balance in the management of tourism in 2016 so far.

In practice, the results confirm the growth trend of the sector, since in the first half of 2016 the income of the activity reached 1.2 billion dollars, with a year-on-year growth of 15 percent.

The largest contributions were recorded in the gastronomy sector, although areas such as recreation, with a growth of 39.5 percent, as well as income obtained through accommodation and transportation, were highlighted.

In 2015, Cuba received revenues of US $ 2.8 billion for tourism, the most dynamic sector of the Cuban economy and the country's second largest source of income behind the sale of professional services abroad.

In addition, the island reached the figure of three million foreign tourists received in the beginning of October of the 3.7 million visitors that the authorities of the sector calculate for the year.

In the Caribbean, Cuba is only surpassed by the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico in receiving visitors, although this trend can be easily improved.

In this environment, the process of normalization of the links between Cuba and the United States is an important factor in favor of a greater influx of visitors.

While the option to travel to the island for Americans is limited to licenses that are granted in 12 categories, the conditions of logistics are given for an eventual growth in the flow of vacationers from that nation.

Meanwhile, internally the various hotel chains are preparing for a spike in demand from international visitors, supported by the increase in flights from various parts of the world.

On the island, the Gaviota S.A. Tourism Group stands out due to the volume of its operations, with 26,000 rooms under its management and distributed in 62 hotels and villas.

For the nautical recreation are available Gaviota marinas of Varadero, Cayo Las Brujas and Oriente, united to the Nautical Base Cayo Coco and the International Diving Center Maria La Gorda.

To the above are added five Tourist Resorts located in the main poles of the island, among them Las Morlas, in Varadero; La Estrella and Las Dunas, in Cayo Santa María, Villa Clara; Los Flamencos, in Cayo Coco, Jardines del Rey; And Pesquero, in Playa Pesquero, north of Holguín.

Also included are spaces with complementary services, such as the Almendares Club and the Jazz Café, in Havana; The Topes de Collantes in Sancti Spíritus and Cristobal Colon in Holguin; The ranches Gaviota and Toa, in Matanzas and Baracoa, respectively.

In addition, there are the Finca Duaba, also in Baracoa, and the restaurants La Punta (Baracoa) and Los Doce Apóstoles and Los Marinos, in Havana.