Russian tourist arrivals in Cuba up 3.5 times in Jan-Oct 2023 - deputy PM

MOSCOW. Dec 22 (Interfax) - Russian tourist arrivals in Cuba grew 3.5 times to 146,300 in January-October 2023, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko said at a presentation of business opportunities in Cuba to Russian entrepreneurs.

"Bilateral relations are time-tested and future-oriented. There is no other country in Latin America with such a long-term, multifaceted experience of trade and economic relations with Russia as Cuba. Significant successes reached with [our] Cuban friends over the past year deserve a special mention. First of all, the number of direct flights from Russia has markedly grown, while tourist arrivals increased 3.5 times in January-October 2023. More than 146,300 tourists from Russia visited the republic in January-October," the press service quoted Chernyshenko's greetings as saying.

Russia's Mir bank cards are accepted in Cuba, he said.

"What is more, a key area of Russian-Cuban cooperation where we have made the most impressive breakthrough is trade and economic cooperation, and the creation of a favorable business climate for Russian companies in Cuba, alongside the implementation of investment projects," Chernyshenko said.

According to the Cuban Tourism Ministry, 178,000 Russian tourists visited Cuba in the pre-pandemic year 2019.