Cuba, an ideal destination for tourism, has regained positions in the Caribbean as a result of the diversification of its offers for foreign visitors.

Actions have been aimed at improving conditions in the main tourist destinations, in addition to rehabilitating more than 200 beaches.

Undoubtedly, cruise tourism stands out in the diversity of the Cuban leisure industry, supported by the operations of important shipping companies dedicated to this modality.

In 2018, from January to November, 790,000 people arrived in Cuba on cruise ships, accounting for an increase of 49 percent compared to the previous year.

This trend is general for 36 destinations in the Caribbean, which received 25.1 million cruise travelers in the first ten months of 2018.

With a significant presence of US tourists, companies such as Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Cruises are present in Cuba.

This trend is maintained despite the fact that US citizens can only travel to Cuba for non-tourist activities such as cultural, religious and educational trips or family visits.

The best use of cruise tourism contemplates the increase in visitors' spending, which requires the design of a broad investment program.

Add to this the commercialization of quality handicrafts with a high level of authenticity, the safety of the destinations and the preservation of the environment, among other factors.

Foreign vacationers are also attracted by the wealth of the first towns founded by the Spaniards in Cuba in the early 16th century, such as Trinidad, Havana, Santiago de Cuba, Camagüey, Baracoa and Cienfuegos.

The historic hearts of these cities hold a rich patrimonial history of the nation.

Cuba also adds urban tourism programs to the options, supported by the colonial heritage that is found everywhere in its cities.

In that regard, Havana stands out as the main destination for tourism in the country and with establishments that set standards in Cuban traditions, such as the Riviera and Nacional hotels.

The city also has the Inglaterra Hotel, inaugurated on December 23, 1875, and which honored with its name the main power of the world at that time, in addition to being one of the best hotels in the world after undergoing a reconstruction in 1886.

The building, located in an important area of the so-called Old Havana, has a neoclassical style, with elements that give a touch of originality, like the mosaics from Alicante and fences brought especially from Seville, Spain.

Meanwhile, the Jagua Hotel stands out in Cienfuegos, with its renewed attractions after an extensive reconstruction process that restored its splendor.

This area in central Cuba is also known for its unique nature, with sites such as the Centennial Botanical Gardens (created in 1901), which covers an area of 97 hectares and holds one of the most complete collections of palms in the world.