Cuba’s National Statistics Office counted over 98,000 Americans traveling to Cuba in 2012. This number is up from 73,500 in 2011.
The amount of travelers in 2012 is twice the number in 2007, due in part by the reinstatement of people-to-people cultural and educational travel programs allowed in early 2011. U.S. citizens can travel to Cuba by companies authorized by the U.S. Treasury Department by providing detailed itineraries and programs enlightening participants on Cuba’s art, history, culture and cuisine. Close iteraction between Americans and Cubans is another necessary component of these tours.
Cuba welcomed a total of 2.8 million tourists in 2012. So far, arrivals in 2013 are down two percent from last year.
For more information, read the Travel Weekly article.