Cuba is expecting the arrival of many more Chinese visitors to its shores. Cuba was the first outbound tourist destination for Chinese travelers in the western hemisphere. To attract still more Chinese tourists, the Cuban Embassy has endeavored to reduce the time necessary to issue a tourist visa.

The Cuban Tourism Ministry also plans to open a representative office in Beijing to provide better services to Chinese travelers.

The civil aviation authorities of the two nations are now discussing the possibility of opening the first direct flight from Beijing to Havana, aiming to make the city a gateway for Chinese tourists in their southern American tour.

At present, Chinese travelers must transfer via Frankfurt, Paris, Moscow, or Vancouver to reach the tropical nation.

Cuban tourism authority has approved nine travel agencies to offer services for Chinese travelers, and has improved the training of tour guides in communicating in Chinese.

(China Daily September 3, 2004)