TORONTO — Cuba’s bookings for April and beyond from the Canadian market “are looking great and we are very much looking forward to a very strong 2018”, says Eloy Govea, Director, Canada for the Cuba Tourist Board.

Cuba received a record 4.7 million visitors in 2017, resulting in 16.2% growth year over year. The island’s cays in particular took a hit from Hurricane Irma but room inventory recovered quickly.

“We have been open for business since the winter season started, and we are doing very good from Canada, with over 400,000 passengers already so far this year,” said Govea.

He adds: “We just had the Grand Muthu inaugurated in Cayo Guillermo (500 rooms) and the Sercotel Experience in Cayo Santa María (660 rooms).

“The next openings include the International Hotel in Varadero (634 rooms), the Iberostar Holguin (838 rooms) and Packard Hotel and Prado y Malecón Hotel, in Havana (321 and 250 rooms respectively).”