An Air Canada plane arrived at Cayo-Coco resuming tourism flights to Cuba. ACN Photo

Havana, September 4 (RHC)-- Cuba welcomed on Friday the first planeload of tourists to come on the island in months as it struggles toward post-pandemic new normalcy.

An Air Canada plane arrived at midday at the Cayo-Coco airport on the northcentral coast. Air Canada Vacations, the airline's tour business, said it would now fly weekly to Cuba and biweekly beginning next month.

According to official data, Canada has long been Cuba's most important tourist provider, accounting for 1.1 million of the 4.2 million arrivals in 2019.

The Canadian tourists stay at the Pullman, Playa Paraíso, Memories Caribe, and Memories Flamenco hotels in Cayo Coco.

The resumption of tourist operations with the tour operator Air Canada Vacations shows the existing confidence in the Cuban health system, which has certified the hotel, extra hotel, transportation, and marine facilities in Cayo Coco with the condition of Most Hygienic and Safe Tourism.

This certification includes compliance with strict health and safety protocols, including PCR testing and medical monitoring in each accommodation.