Havana - Cuba is investing in additional hotels in the hope of increased tourist numbers.

"We're adding to our hotel capacity, by about 3,000 rooms," Deputy Tourism Minister Maria Elena Lopez Reyes told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.

In 2008, the number of foreign visitors rose to 2.25 million from 2.152 million. Although there was an overall drop in European visitors, the decline was offset by more visitors from Canada, Latin America and Russia.

The almost 50,000 rooms on the island enjoy an annual capacity of between 60 and 65 per cent. The minister said she expects the FIT travel convention, co-sponsored by Germany, to offer "strong incentives for Germans" "to visit. The convention runs May 4-8 in Havana.

Lopez Reyes said preparations are being made in the hope that the new US administration will ease a travel ban preventing US citizens from legally visiting Cuba.

"In general, we want and need more investment and foreign exchange."

Regardless of US policy, the expansions will be made, with an eye on tourists from all nations. Despite the ban, about 45,000 US visitors a year head to Cuba presently.

While some come to visit relatives, others arrive on side trips from Cancun, Mexico or Jamaica. Cuban authorities do not stamp US visitors' passports to help them avoid trouble on their return home. (dpa)