Havana, March 10 (RHC) -— Tourism to Cuba was up 16 per cent in January from the same time last year, sector officials said yesterday.

Visits from Canadians, who made up nearly half of the 371,160 people who travelled here as tourists, were up 15.5 per cent, according to Cuba's National Statistics Office (ONE).

Americans — who following new rules are more free to travel now to the island — arrived in greater numbers as well, with 75,435 visiting the island in January, compared to 66,195 one year earlier.

German, British, French and Italian tourists also led the swell of visitors, ONE said.

Tourism is the second-largest source of income for Cubans following professional services, particularly doctors.

According to ONE, the island passed the three million tourist mark for the first time in 2014, bringing in some US$1.89 billion.