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A luring combination of sun, gorgeous beaches and scenery, coupled with warm and hospitable people, an array of cultural offers –all that sprinkled with top-notch services- made the Caribbean one of the most coveted travel destinations worldwide in 2005.

That explains the arrival of over 42 million sunbathers, broken down in 20 million cruise passengers and 22.5 million other trekkers, figures that accounted for a 3.5 percent increase from the year before. Cuba and the Dominican Republic took the lion’s share of these increments with 13 and 7 percent respectively, that according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) annual report.

Preliminary numbers revealed by this organization indicate that the travel industry generated some $23 billion for the local economies in 2005, a clear-cut sign that the leisure sector keeps bouncing back following the grim fallout of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the U.S.

As a matter of fact, the growth of tourism in the Caribbean is now way above the average increment on the rest of the planet, thanks in part to huge traveling outflows that shifted south in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks and to deep safety concerns for such regions as the Middle East and Europe.

Economic stability in most Latin American nations has also played a key role in these outcomes. Private investment in different sectors, the advance of business relations and intraregional tourism have benefited from this bonanza.

As to the top outbound markets for Caribbean beaches and other sightseeing spots, Americans, Europeans and Canadians remain high on the lists.

According to official stats, the fastest-growing travel destinations among Canadians were the Dominican Republic and Cuba, with more than half a million trippers combined. However, Mexico is also amassing a big slice off the tourist pie, with great options like Puerto Vallarta, a destination that’s taking in plenty of vacationers, chiefly from the U.S. and Canada.

Varadero should also take a mention of its own. The Cuban beach is welcoming travelers from Canada, France, Germany and the UK. As we speak, Varadero boasts 15,000 hotel rooms scattered in 46 lodgings, figures that make the so-called Blue Beach the island nation’s number-one destination. As a whole, the entire Caribbean region offers a unique cocktail of culture, sun and sand for all the world to wallow in.

Caribbean Association of Cuba The Caribbean Association of Cuba –chaired by Maria Rollock Hernandez- gathers natives and descendents of Caribbean nations such as Antigua, Jamaica, Bermudas, Montserrat, Haiti, Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Martinique, Venezuela, St. Lucia, the Cayman Islands, Trinidad & Tobago, Aruba, Anguilla, St. Kitts & Nevis, Grenada, Belize and Cuba.

Objectives: To foster a membership of Caribbean residents and their offspring for the organization. To spread the traditions, culture and history of struggles and achievements of the Caribbean’s different countries. To strengthen friendly ties among members and representatives from the brotherhood of Caribbean peoples.

Origin: The Caribbean Association of Cuba (CAC) was founded in 1928 when the first Caribbean migrants landed on the island. In 1946, the institution was called British-Caribbean Association, sponsored by the British embassy in Cuba. In 1978, its members agreed to give it the name of Caribbean Association of Cuba.

Main Activities: Caribbean Students Night (first Saturday of every month). Caribbean Night, specially devoted to one particular country on the day of its national holiday.

The Cricket Meeting (first Sunday of every month).

The Children’s Meeting “In the Caribbean Sea” (second Sunday of every month). The Caribbean Circle for elderly members (third Wednesday of every month).