HAVANA (AP) — Cuba says tourism revenues rose 12.8 percent in 2011, returning to levels from three years earlier as the key sector recovers from losses due to the global financial crisis.
A report posted online by the National Office of Statistics says tourism income was $2.5 billion in 2011, compared to $2.2 billion the previous year.
In all, the island hosted 2.7 million visitors in 2011, up 7 percent from 2.5 million the previous year.
Tourist arrivals continued to increase in recent years despite world financial difficulties. But travelers have been spending less money, delivering a hit to one of Cuba's main sources of foreign income.
The $2.5 billion figure is about on par with tourism income from 2008.
