HAVANA, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Cuba expects to receive more than 2 million tourists in 2007, Vice Tourism Minister Maria Elena Lopez said Friday.

    Lopez made the remarks during the 18th French Association Travel Agency Congress, held in Cuba's eastern city of Holguin.

    Cuba has great beaches and a wide variety of nature, she said, adding that in each tourist site, its culture and history are increasingly admired by foreigners.

    Earlier this month, Cuban Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero said Cuba's tourism has increased 6.3 percent in the first 10 months from the same period of 2006.

    Cuba obtains an average of 2 billion U.S. dollars gross income from tourism every year and 300,000 people are employed directly or indirectly in the industry.

    Some 500 French delegates attended the congress, aimed at promoting the island nation among French tourist