News emerging from the Cuban Ministry of Tourism indicates the country is expecting to welcome three million tourists looking for luxury Cuba holidays this year.

During 2012, the country narrowly missed this important milestone with 2.9 million tourists entering the country. The Minister of Tourism Manuel Marrero announced the country had welcomed 2.85 million from January to mid-December in 2012, and it was expecting around another 500,000 for the Christmas period. Xinhua reported how this is up 4.9% from the figure reported last year over the same period.

The figure of 2.9 million predicted to close out 2012 is also a major target for the country, which makes 2012 a total success for Cuban tourism. Most of the arrivals in North America came from Canada, whereas Britain offered the main source of European tourists.

Some restrictions have seriously affected the amount of progress made by Cuba, though. Marrero reported how the continuing financial crisis is still preventing the tourism industry from expanding as people are taking fewer holidays. He also reported how travel agencies and hotels were less effective in their marketing strategies, therefore reaching fewer prospective tourists. An additional cruise suspension in Europe also hindered travel greatly. The continuing economic blockade from the US is, as ever, still a problem for the country.

The blockade implemented against Cuba still shows no signs of letting up, and has shown little change since its original implementation in 1961. However, positive steps taken this year reduced the number of restrictions on travel and various charter flights to Cuba.

Marrero claimed this is extremely positive news for the country because even with all these obstacles it still makes significant gains in the tourism industry. Making gains in this area has always been difficult with Cuba's competitors in Central and South America.

He stressed that state and private tourism was still a critical part of its winning formula, and it would continue to work together for the greater good of the country. The minister claimed: "Today we have a new vision of non-state tourism, since we don't see it as a competitor, but as a complement to state tourism."

Cuba currently boasts 60,000 rooms in 300 massive state hotels. It also possesses 1,700 private restaurants and an additional 700 full houses for visitors looking to rent on their holiday.

It has made major improvements since the ending of the Cold War. It is much more open about its past and history. Throwing off the shackles of its isolationist past has meant visitors from all over the world now have no issue with flocking to the country's shores.

The importance of tourism in Cuba cannot be stressed enough. It is the country's second main form of revenue and its continuing development means leader Raul Castro can continue to reform the economic state of the country.

We are based in the UK offering custom-made luxury Cuba holidays. Interested tourists can create the holiday they want whilst taking advantage of some of the most affordable prices in the industry.