Sources from the travel industry said that this figure is expected to increase by 200,000 tourists in 2004, according to official predictions.

In that regard, Cuban Tourism Minister Ibrahim Ferradaz pointed out that the achievement of that goal must be accompanied by improved efficiency.

>From January to September, he added, Cuba reported a 14-percent increase in tourist arrivals, and so far, October has seen an 18-percent rise, compared to the same month last year.

Ferradaz noted an increase in tourist arrivals from Canada, accounting for nearly 20 percent of the total, and from Europe, especially France, Italy and Great Britain.