Canadian Tourists Just Love Cuba

The flow of Canadian travelers to Cuba showed a marked increase during 2010. By December 25th, 918,064 visitors from Canada, 3,180 more than in 2009, enjoyed the charms of the Caribbean island.

Tourism specialists attribute the increase to the efforts of transportation companies Cubana de Aviación, Sunwing Air Lines, Air Transat, Canjet, Air Canada and West Jet, which link several Canadian cities with the top 10 tourism destinations in Cuba, led by Varadero.

Official estimates have more than 2.5 million tourists visiting Cuba in 2010, 4 percent more than the previous year.

An increase in the number of connections from Canada to the Cuban capital via new direct flights by Sunwing Airlines and Air Transat, both
with new service possibilities, is foreseen for 2011.

The Hotels Preferred by Canadians A survey just released in Havana indicates that most Canadians spending their holidays in Cuba prefer to book at the Paradisus Río de Oro Hotel, in eastern Holguín Province, or the Melia Cayo Coco in the central coastal region.

While other hotel facilities around the island appeal to Canadian visitors, these two hotels are favoured, according to the travel reviews
on www.monarc.ca - the most important travel community in Canada, gathering 80 percent of online Canadian travel agencies - the survey was issued by Spanish Sol Meliá Company, which manages several major hotels in Cuba.

Paradisus Río de Oro, a five-star all inclusive Eco-resort and spa with 354 rooms, was chosen as best in overall impression, total value, value for money, restaurant service and ideal for couples. The hotel is located in Bahía de Naranjo Natural Park in Playa Esmeralda on Holguin's northern coast.

The same reasons were given for the choice of the Melia Cayo Coco by Canadian tourists who visited the central northern Cuban coast. The all inclusive five-star beachfront resort has 250 rooms, is home to a colony of pink flamingos and is designed for adults over 18 years.