Cuba reaches goal of 2million tourists in '04

HAVANA - Cuba's tourism minister said Sunday that 2 million people had visited the Caribbean island so far this year, achieving a long-sought-after goal despite U.S. efforts to undermine the country's main foreign exchange earner.

"This year the U.S. government increased the unjust blockade imposed on our country and pledged to affect the unstoppable development of our industry," Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero said.

"These 2 million visitors represent an 8 percent increase over last year and are one more demonstration that Cuba is not alone," he added at a ceremony in eastern Holguin province, where one of the island's tourist resorts is located.

Tourism and related activities earned revenues of $2.1 billion in 2003, and those earnings increased 15 percent this year, Economy and Planning Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez said earlier in the week.

Most U.S. citizens are banned by their government from traveling to Cuba, and visits by Cuban-Americans are also restricted. Nevertheless, 200,000 people came from the United States last year, 130,000 of Cuban origin.

Most U.S. citizens are banned by their government from traveling to Cuba, and visits by Cuban-Americans are also restricted. Nevertheless, 200,000 people came from the United States last year, 130,000 of Cuban origin.