Moscow, March 20 (RHC) -- A general increase of tourism is expected for the year 2012 with a particularly notable increase of Russian tourists. Two important delegations are currently participating in Tourism Fairs in Moscow with the purpose of attracting possible Tourists.

One delegation is headed by the Cuban Vice-Minister of Tourism Xiomara Martinez Iglesias, in charge of International relations, commerce and promotion. In statements to Prensa Latina news agency, Martinez Iglesias said that they are foreseeing the arrival in Cuba of over 85 thousand Russian tourists. She also underlined that the total number of tourists to come to the island in 2012 will be over two million nine hundred thousand, which is two hundred thousand more than in 2011.

Russian tourism is arriving through direct flights with Russian airlines Aeroflot and Transaero, and through other countries like France and the Netherlands with airlines like KLM and AirFrance, which offer connecting flights to Havana.

Martinez Iglesias says that they hope to promote Cuba as a tourist destination in different regions in Russia to expand the tourist market. Cuba is also developing programs to engage the youth, which is an important tourist sector.

Share this article