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HAVANA, Sept. 17-- Cuban authorities are making big efforts to recover the tourism industry, the most dynamic sector of the island's economy, which was seriously hit by the devastating hurricane Irma a week ago. Irma is considered one of the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic and lashed Cuba' s north coast from the eastern tip to Havana in the west, a route along which the main tourist destinations in the country are located. Officials from the Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR) told the press that resorts have reported major architectural damage, including broken roofing, ceilings, lights and windows. The hurricane wreaked havoc on the hotel infrastructure of the Jardines del Rey, Santa María, Guillermo and Coco Keys, located north of the central provinces of Villa Clara and Ciego de ávila. Some 5,000 foreign tourists have been evacuated to the Varadero resort, about 140km east of Havana, which was less affected by the storm. Following the passage of Irma, Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero toured the battered archipelago and remarked that all the damage was completely recoverable. Before the imminent beginning of the high tourism season, which runs from November to April, Marrero said that even the most severely damaged places, such as the Jardines del Rey airport, will be fully recovered. In Havana, coastal flooding caused a severe impact. 18 hotels in the city were evacuated, with tourists evacuated to the Memories Jibacoa resort, east of the capital. | 
