On December 12, Cuba reached the figure of 4 million foreign visitors, despite the continued restrictions imposed by the Donald Trump administration, which directly affect that branch of the national economy, Manuel Marrero Cruz, Cuban minister of Tourism, announced on Twitter.

The new US anti-Cuba escalation is reflected in the elimination of Cuban hotels and other tourist facilities from online search systems, the ban on cruise ships docking at Cuban ports, as well as the closing of several air routes between the two nations.

Minister Marrero Cruz said that despite these difficulties, Cuba’s tourism continues to grow, as the sector remains a top priority in the country’s foreign investment program. "We continue repairing hotels and building new ones.” He stressed that the year closes with some 4.000 new hotel rooms and another 4.200 will be built in 2020.

The Cuban tourism minister stressed that while Americans are forbidden from visiting Cuba as tourists, there are nations where interest in the Cuban destination grows exponentially. He mentioned the Russian Federation, Portugal, Argentina and China.

Damage caused by the US blockade to the Cuban tourism sector surpasses 38.7 billion dollars.