• Submitted by: lena campos
• Travel and Tourism
• 07 / 26 / 2012

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As part of efforts to consolidate the Cuban tourism industry, a new air service between Japan and Cuba was announced Wednesday with two charter flights scheduled for August.

The Ministry of Tourism (Mintur) said in a statement that the two flights are scheduled every two years following an agreement between Japanese airlines and the state-operated Cuba tourism company Cubanacan.

It said this second edition of flights to Cuba will allow Japanese travellers to enjoy the attractions of this destination, especially in relation to historical and cultural heritage of the island, its natural values and hospitality of the people.

About 4,000 Japanese visited Cuba last year and that number could surpass 5,000 this year, according to Japanese Embassy estimates.

Cuba has been actively promoting tourism in recent years, particularly targeting Japanese tourists in a bid to obtain more foreign currency. With such flights, the ministry expects more Japanese visitors to this Caribbean nation in the medium and long term.

Cuba bets on the development of the leisure industry and authorities expect to close this year with 2.9 million visitors, besides having a plan for 2013 of more than three million tourists.

source: Bernama.com