CUBA’S tourism industry grew more than expected in 2016, with over four million international tourists visiting the socialist island last year, the Ministry of Tourism revealed at the weekend.

Even more are expected to visit this year as the country becomes more accessible due to greater numbers of international flights. Cuba outperformed its original goal of 3.8 million international tourists by six per cent and expects to receive more than 4.1 million people this year, the ministry added.

North America and Europe were Cuba’s biggest markets for tourism, where the numbers of visitors increased by 13 per cent from 2015 levels While US citizens are technically prohibited from travelling to the island because of the ongoing blockade, increasing numbers are flocking there.

US travel restrictions were eased by President Obama last year, including the announcement of regular flights between the two countries for the first time in more than 50 years.