Madrid, January 31 (RHC-PL) -- Cuba confirmed in the International Tourism Fair in Madrid (FITUR) that the country maintains open doors to investments and businesses in the tourist industry, today headed towards a substantial expansion of options and capabilities.

When updating business people, tour-operators and representatives of airlines in Spain the condition of the sector, the island's Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero stated that the growth of the industry is continuing, supported by a renewed interest of investors.

A substantial increase of visits by Spanish and European citizens, as a result of decisions recently adopted by airlines, among other factors, is outlined along with it, Marrero said during a Cuban gala on occasion of the International Tourism Fair in Madrid.

With the reopening of the Iberia-Cuba route as of June 1, the reiteration of operations by Air Europa and Cubana de Aviacion, and the expansion of Evelope Airlines in 2015, there will be about 16 weekly flights from Madrid to Havana, the minister said.

According to estimates, this will represent from 25,000 to 30,000 travelers more in the year from Europe, most of them Spanish citizens.

Marrero also confirmed an explosive increase in requests for investments after the adoption of a new law for the sector and maintaining the annual growth rate of rooms at about 2,500, as well as other infrastructure projects.

Among the latest ones is the construction of a water park in Varadero and real estate complexes with golf courses as complement of the country's tourist offer.

Another project is the opening in the coming Cuban Tourism Fair, from May 5th to the 7th in Jardines del Rey resort, of a business pavilion, given to the high level of investment proposals.