Havana, December 31, (RHC), – Cuba´s Tourism Ministry announced that the total figure of foreign tourists to Cuba reached 3 million on December 30, standing for a 5.3 percent growth when compared to last year.

A news release by the ministry explains that despite 2014 has been a year marked by crises in several major tourist markets and the limitations imposed by the US blockade on the island, which bans American citizens from freely traveling to Cuba as tourists, the expected figure was reached, also thanks to the work of travel agencies, hotel chains, airlines and tour-operators.

This achievement suggests a continuous improvement of the work of the ministry, an increase of quality service, the diversification of the Cuban tourist offer and the expansion of modern technologies, the release explains and goes on to thank the tourism sector workers for their support of the growing economic area.

The Ministry also offers special acknowledgement to the Cuban people for their hospitality and high cultural level which guarantee an appropriate environment for foreign visitors.

Tourism is Cuba's third largest hard-currency earning pillar, bringing in $2.5 billion last year.