Cuba is shaping up to be one of the hottest tourist destinations in the world. So far, the Caribbean country has logged in an impressive one million foreign travelers in 2016 and the numbers are projected to be even greater throughout the year.

The Million Tourist Mark

According to reports, the one million mark reflected a 14.6 percent rise over the same period in 2015. Throughout the first quarter of the year, Cuba was able to welcome a huge flock of tourists from numerous markets including the United States, Germany, Britain, France, Italy and Argentina.

Tourism officials from Cuba project that the numbers will reach 3.7 million foreign visitors within the year, which is over 175,200 than last year's 3.5 million figure. Accommodations in state hotel facilities are also expected to rise by 12.3 percent from 2015.

The increasing number of tourists has translated well into Cuba's economy as the leisure industry is now dubbed as the most dynamic sector of the country's economy as well as the second strongest that's raking in foreign currency. In 2015, the industry was able to produce a revenue of $1.94 billion, a 10.7 percent boost from the previous year.

US-Cuba Factor

The tourism performance of Cuba has already been impressive last year with 145,000 American tourists visiting the country, a 79 percent increase from the previous year. This is likely an effect of President Barack Obama's initiative to improve relations between the United States and the Caribbean nation.

Between March 21 and March 22, the U.S. president will be visiting Cuba himself, the first of his position to do so in nearly 90 years. As Latin Post previously reported, Obama will meet with Cuban President Raul Castro to discuss a bevy of topics including democracy, businesses, freedom of speech, human rights, religion and trade.

The POTUS is leading the efforts of the current administration to improve the tourism opportunities in Cuba as the United States gears up for lifting more restrictions ahead of his landmark visit such as letting people, who fit into 12 specific categories travel to the nation. These categories include visiting Cuba for family, educational or cultural reasons.

Last month, the two countries already signed a milestone agreement to revive commercial flights between the nations. Additionally, the administration is also planning to scrap some of the barriers to trade and banking in the island nation. All of the final changes will reportedly be confirmed to the public on the eve of Obama's trip.

Despite the more relaxed tourist opportunities, general tourism is still expected be somewhat limited for Americans due to the U.S. embargo still in place. This can only be lifted by the U.S. Congress and is not likely to be completely lifted any time soon.