The number of visitors to Cuba this year reached 1 million as of Thursday, the Ministry of Tourism announced.

"Arriving again at this important number of visitors, in a shorter period than the previous year, confirms a preference for our destination and our promise of a tranquil, healthy, safe and reliable" tourism experience, the ministry said in a statement.

The largest number of visitors came from Canada, followed by Argentina,

Russia, Germany, France, and Mexico respectively, the ministry said, adding that it expects more tourist arrivals from these nations over the next few months.

The ministry said it also hopes to see an increase in the number of visitors this year from Colombia, Peru and the Netherlands.

The island nation saw a 4 percent increase in visitor arrivals in the first quarter of 2012 over the same period of last year while tourism revenues grew by 12 percent in the same period, the statement said.

Cuba is expected to receive a total of 2.9 million tourists in

2012 and hopes to increase the number in coming years.