According to a report by the National Office of Statistic (ONEI), gastronomy and transport made a significant contribution to Cuban tourism during the first half of 2014. The report, published August 18, stated that of the tourism industry’s total revenue, gastronomy contributed 39.1% and transport 12.9% (with accommodations constituting 34.1%). The document also stated that from January through June 1,660,055 visitors arrived to Cuba, a slight increase in comparison to the same period last year (1,597,000). Despite the minimal increase, the rate of hotel room bookings declined from 53.7% in 2013 to 52.5%. In regards to parameters and indicators; accommodation, gastronomy and transport are the three primary contributors to Cuban tourism revenue, which says a lot about the efforts being realized in the gastronomy sector; continuously working to provide more distinctive and professional food in hotels and restaurants. Following the top three, are retail and recreation. In regards to visitor demographics, the greatest number of tourists come from North America with 49.7%; followed by the Caribbean (11%); Eastern Europe (10.6%); Latin America (8.3%); Southern Europe (6.4%; and other nations (28.3%). Canada continues to be Cuba’s primary tourist emissary with 181,269 visitors arriving in the first half of 2014, followed by Britain, Germany, Mexico, Italy, Venezuela, Russia, Argentina, and Colombia.
