The resumption of direct flights between Cuba and China, the visa-exemption policy for Chinese tourists to visit Cuba are expected to benefit the Caribbean country's tourism industry, Cuban officials said.
In an effort to boost Cuba's tourism sector and strengthen the commercial ties and cooperation between Cuba and China, the Cuban government announced last Saturday that it would adopt a visa-free policy for Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports, starting this month.
Cuban officials anticipate that at least 3.5 million tourists will visit the Caribbean country this year.
"This decision is part of efforts by both nations to take bilateral relations to a higher level. I believe that is in the common interests of the two countries to continue to strengthen mutual political trust," said Ariel Lorenzo Rodriguez, director of the Department of Asia and Oceania at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba.
China and Cuba have enjoyed strong relations of friendship and cooperation over the past 60 years. China has supported the island country in sectors such as telecommunications, energy, transport and tourism.
Cuba authorities expect that not only the visa-free policy for Chinese citizens will contribute to the local tourism, but also the resumption of direct flights announced recently by Air China, the country's flag carrier airline.
Air China will resume flights to Havana on May 17.
"In this case, Air China will start, as you said, on May 17th two weekly flights. At the beginning, it will be on Tuesdays and Fridays. In the second stage, it will be on Tuesdays and Saturdays. So, this will help them to come [to Cuba] in a direct way. It will be faster and the travel hours will be shortened a bit," said Elizabeth Vela Jaime, tourism counselor for the Asia-Pacific region under the Cuban Ministry of Tourism.
Cuba's tourism official also said that travel agencies and hotel chains are considering offering Chinese tourists rooms, restaurant menus, and other logistics services in line with Chinese traditions to better cater to their needs.