VNA

Cuba is expected to welcome about 2.5 million foreign tourists in 2006, an increase of 7.7 percent compared with the previous year, according to a report of the Cuban Ministry of Tourism released on April 25.

More than 740,000 foreign visitors came to Cuba in the first quarter of 2006, Deputy Minister of Tourism Oscar Gonsalez said, adding that the income gained from tourism increased by 4 percent in the quarter.

The majority of European tourists to Cuba came from Britain and Spain. In his opinion, the number of travelers to Cuba from both these countries will increase by 10 percent during the year.

The Cuban tourist sector brings in an annual average of 2 billion USD to the country.