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Cuba invests in tourism to
expand options
• Opening the 34th
International Tourism Fair, minister
Manuel Marrero announced a 5%
increase in visitors to date.
Cuba is committed to improving and updating its
tourist offerings - given the island’s attraction as
a tourist destination, stated
Manuel Marrero, upon opening the 34th
International Tourism Fair, FitCuba 2014.
FitCuba 2014 is dedicated to Havana.
The inauguration of the Fair, which took place at
the emblematic Hotel Nacional, denoted the
increasing national interest in developing and
establishing Cuba as a broadly appealing Caribbean
destination. Marrero highlighted advances in the
investment process geared toward development of
infrastructure in the Cruz Keys (north of the
province of Camagüey), Paredón Grande (Ciego de
Ávila) and the Ramón Peninsula (Holguín), in
addition to the more than 10,000 new rooms,
currently being added in the major tourist areas.
He also commented on the expansion of the hotels
Rancho San Vicente and Cayo Levisa in Pinar del Río;
as well as Manzana, Packard, Prado and Malecón in
Havana, to which the current edition of the fair is
dedicated. In 2013, a year of modest but sustainable
growth, a policy to develop nautical activities,
with the intention of improving services for yachts
at tourist marinas, was approved, Marrero indicated.
Confident of the importance of diversifying options
for tourists in Cuba, beyond traditional beach
resort vacations, the Ministry also created the
National Commission of Nature Tourism, designed to
create sustainable recreational activities in areas
of priceless ecological value.
The Commission has also completed the updating of
their
business opportunities,
in order to promote
an attractive portfolio
of projects to
foreign investors. In this regard,
Marrero emphasized the development of real estate,
with the construction of golf courses, and
collaboration with prestigious, internationally
recognized foreign companies in hotel
administration.
Thus far this year, tourism has grown 5%, with an
increase in flights and cruises over the winter
season. During the Fair’s inauguration,
Fleur Pellerin, French Secretary of State for
Foreign Trade and Tourism, spoke of her country’s
interest in expanding links with Cuba, not only
within the sphere of tourism, but in trade and
culture, as well.
Before guests and more than 10 exhibiting companies
present at the
Morro Cabaña
Historic Park, she thanked Cuba for selecting France
as special guest country of the 34th International
Tourism Fair. Caleb Rafai, general secretary of the
World Tourism Organization, highlighted the advances
Cuba has made - over the last decade - within the
sector, also mentioning the challenges that must be
overcome to transform Cuba into a competitive
destination within the region.
Strengthening links with French airlines.
Airlines Cubana de Aviación and Air France, signed a
commercial cooperation agreement, designed to
strengthen the current connection routes between
both countries. The accord was signed by
Ana Margarita Godoy Guzmán director of
Cubana de Aviación, and Zoran Jelkic, Vice President
of Air France.
Jelkic said that the agreement demonstrates the
desire to advance the development of travel between
Europe, Cuba and the Caribbean. Jelkic also,
highlighted specific elements of the agreement,
notably the extension of flights to other cities in
Cuba, such as, Santiago de Cuba, Santa Clara and
Holguín, bringing French tourism to those areas.
Fleur Pellerin, said that the expansion of flights
between Havana and Paris, thanks to this mutually
beneficial agreement, as well as the recent addition
of a direct flight Cuba-Martinica by Cubana de
Aviación, will facilitate expansion in this sector.
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