HAVANA.- The arrival of two million tourists to Cuba so far this year ratifies the confidence of tour operators, travel agencies, airlines and vacationers to the Caribbean destination, according to a report on Monday of the Tourism Ministry.

The figure was obtained on May 18th, 15 days later compared to the same period last year and amidst Washington reinforcing the economic, commercial and financial blockade against the island.

The press note by the Tourism Ministry says that this has been achieved despite the US anti-Cuba media campaign aimed at placing obstacles for people from visiting and the impact of Hurricane Irma last September.

Authorities from the sector sustains that although the decision of many travelers was due to the perception of the damages inflicted by the hurricane, but the tourism sites were recovered and now have a renovated image of its hotel and recreational installations in particular the keys to the north of the archipelago.

The communique adds that there has been in an increase in visitors from Canada and the traditional European markets and a sustained growth from Russia, Mexico, Argentina, China and Brazil. People from the US are still prohibited in visiting Cuba as tourists.

The first trimester in Cuba saw a decrease of 7 percent of visitors compared to the previous year, but tourism authorities reaffirmed its optimism of a record 5 million vacationers by the end of 2018.

Tourism is one of the main actors in the Cuban economy.