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U.S. blockade impacts tourism
Lorena Sánchez
Damage to the Cuban tourism sector due to the U.S.
imposed blockade, already amounts to approximately
two billion dollars,
while
the main activities affected
are
logistic assurance,
management of travel agencies
and overall quality of services,
stated José
Manuel
Bisbé York,
President of the International
Group of Tour Operators
and
Travel Agencies Havanatur.
Bisbé
York, speaking on the final day of
the Sixth Latin American and Caribbean Congress on
Food
Quality and Safety, stated that despite the
blockade, Cuba has experienced a 4% increase in the
sector in the first half of 2014, adding that
national tourism is also developing.
He commented that among the positive trends which
will mark tourist activity in the country, is the
introduction of large-size aircrafts which are more
cost effective given that they can fly from any
country in the world to Cuba.
Bisbé York
also presented
the commercial
sector strategy
for the coming years,
focused
on diversifying tourist
offers; implementing new
programs
around historical-heritage
routes;
nature and health
tourism, the
cruise industry, diving and
other activities such as
yachting.
Bisbé York also stated that the number of hotel
rooms - the majority luxury - is schelduled to
increase to 85,000 by 2020.
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