Havana, Aug 21 (IANS): Cuba received more than 1.8 million overseas visitors in the first seven months of 2012, an increase of over 5 percent compared with the previous same period, the country's National Statistics Bureau (NSB) said.

"International tourism registered a growth of 5.4 percent at the end of July," the NSB said Monday, adding that the country received 1,842,202 visitors in total, 95,093 more than that of a year ago, reported Xinhua.

According to the report, in July alone, "the island received 215,857 visitors, representing an increase of 3 percent over the same month in 2011, 4.6 percent more than in 2010 and 9.6 percent more than in 2009".

The "figures show the progress of one of Cuba's key economic sectors", the NSB said.

During the first half of 2012, the Cuban tourism sector saw revenues of $1.087 billion thanks to more than 1.6 million travellers.

Hoping to wrap up 2012 with some 3 million visitors, tourism officials have launched major investment plans in the sector and an international ad campaign to promote the Caribbean island's natural and cultural attractions.

Tourism is Cuba's second largest source of foreign revenue after export of professional services, mainly in the sectors of healthcare, education and sports, which bring in more than $6 billion annually.