DESPITE the global economic crisis, 2008 was the best year for Cuban tourism, affirmed Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero at the opening of the 29th International Tourism Fair, FITCUBA 2009, in Havana. Some 900 professionals from 58 countries and 180 journalists from 34 countries are attending the event.

During the opening ceremony, the inaugural ribbon cutting was completed by First Vice President José Ramón Machado Ventura, who was accompanied by other executives and authorities from the Cuban tourism sector. It took place at the Morro-Cabaña Park, a historical-cultural complex facing the bay of Havana.

According to Marrero, a 12% revenue increase and a 9% growth in the number of visitors was achieved in this sector in 2008.

Last year saw a historic record both in the total of tourists visiting the island (2,348,340) and the time it took to reach the goal of two million guests for the fifth consecutive year, despite the negative effects of the financial crisis, which provoked a decline in global tourism, particularly in the Caribbean.

While the current year is predicted to be a tough one, the Ministry of Tourism reported that the island ended its winter season (November-April) with a 2%-increase in the number of tourists.

However, the sector recognizes the need to expand marketing and promotion in new areas in order to confront the decreasing tourism trend that could occur in markets like Europe, which have a deep- rooted tradition of traveling to Cuba.

Marrero insisted that tourist travel options to Cuba are enriched by miles of beautiful beaches and the country’s outstanding safety, nature, heath trips, sailing and other specialties.

"Cuba is much more than sun and beach. It’s heterogeneous and singular among the Caribbean nations; unique and diverse, with varied options. It is a multi-destination in itself," María Elena López, deputy minister of tourism, affirmed to Cubatravel.cu.

The Cuban official highlighted that, in less than 10 years, the country has become the third most popular Caribbean destination after the Dominican Republic and the Mexican Caribbean.

FITCUBA 2009 is dedicated to Germany, one of the island’s principal tourist markets. Last year, 100,964 German tourists traveled to Cuba. Guests from this country are to receive a special tribute.

It is also dedicated to the Cuba’s heritage cities. The fair provides an exceptional opportunity for touring eight treasures of the colonial era, preserved for humanity and current and future generations. They are: Havana, the Cuban capital; Cienfuegos, the Pearl of the South; Remedios, the city of fiestas; Trinidad, a museum between ocean and mountains; Camagüey, the land of large earthenware jars; Bayamo, the cradle of Cuban nationality; Santiago de Cuba, the most Caribbean city; and Baracoa, the initial settlement.

A special promotion of Hoteles E is scheduled for the fair. This is a chain recently created by the Ministry of Tourism using buildings conserving their original architecture and fitted out with a reduced number of rooms (between eight and 10).

Currently, the Cubanacán Group operates eight of these Hoteles E in Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Sancti Spíritus and Santiago de Cuba, while the Gran Caribe chain recently announced the opening of one facing of the Jaguar Hotel in Cienfuegos.