The Caribbean island of Cuba has seen significant increases in UK visitors numbers over the past year, enticing sun-starved Brits with its unique combination of Caribbean beaches and colonial heritage.
Many operators are reporting a boost in sales to the destination year-on-year, with many adding new hotels their books to cope with the boost in demand. As well as its culture and stunning beaches, Cuba also offers fantastic weather and beautiful natural scenery inland, including rainforests and sprawling nature reserves. Brits looking for a few relaxing days on the beach combined with cultural sightseeing and adventurous tours are flocking to Cuba to enjoy the island’s many attractions.
The Cuban tourist board is pushing for even more visitors, especially from the UK, which is its largest European market.
“We have an ongoing campaign ‘Auténtica Cuba’ that is running throughout the UK,” commented Rogelio Curbelo, the director of the Cuba Tourist Board. The campaign, running on websites such as bbc.com and frommers.com, as well as on posters on taxis in the UK, has clearly been a success. “By the end of September we had a 5% increase in British visitors to Cuba in comparison to the same period in 2010,” explained Mr Curbelo.
The Cuban capital Havana is ideal for a day’s wandering around the historical streets and piazzas, followed by a night at one of the city’s many salsa bars and clubs. While Varadero is the most well-known beach resort option, travellers looking for something off the beaten track could try out Cayo Ensenachos or Cayo Santa Maria in the north of the island for a more secluded beach experience.
Image by Eduardo Deboni
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