Security and diversity: pillars of the Cuban image
• Record figure of 1.53 million visitors in the first quarter of 2010
•  Canada remains top source country

Lilliam Riera

• CUBA is to continue providing secure, diverse and quality tourism, affirmed Manuel Marrero, minister of this sector, addressing participants in FITCuba 2010, the 30th edition of the Tourism Fair, dedicated this year to Russia.

The fair was opened by Esteban Lazo, vice president of the Council of State, in the presence of Mijail Kaminin, the Russian ambassador to Cuba, among other public figures.

Speaking at the Morro-Cabaña Historic-Military Park, Marrero noted that Cuba possesses cities where the colonial and the modern converge, many natural attractions, a rich culture and citizens’ security.

The tourism minister went on to note that 1.53 million people visited the island in the first four months of this year, a record for the period, and affirmed that Canada has maintained its lead as the principal source country, with approximately one million visitors per year.

He stated that, despite the global economic and financial crisis, the sector had a 3.5% economic growth in 2009. The island received 2.43 million visitors last year.

Marrero stressed that, over the last 20 years, Cuba’s tourism development has been among the most dynamic in the region, and the country is in ninth place for preferred destinations in the Americas.

He also stated that promotion work has been stepped up in Brazil, Venezuela and Mexico, while work is ongoing with Russia, China and India.

He spoke of the importance of the internal market and the influx of Cubans resident abroad, particularly in the United States.

In relation to tourism from that country, he said that it had become apparent in a recent meeting on U.S.-Cuba travel in Cancun that there was a lack of information in the U.S. professional sector about Cuba as a potential destination, due to the economic, financial and commercial blockade imposed on Cuba by Washington for the last 50 years. The minister affirmed that interchange between the two countries would have a positive influence if those restrictions were removed.

In terms of development prospects, the reparation and upgrading of facilities continues. Cuba has 50,000 hotel rooms throughout its territory, 60% of them 4- or 5-star category. Currently 45,000 are being marketed internationally, with a scheduled increase of 20,000 units over the next five years, according to Marrero.

The tourism minister highlighted the construction of four 5-star hotels in Guardalavaca (Holguín), Cayo Coco (northern cays), in the international sector of Varadero (Matanzas), and in Trinidad (Sancti Spíritus), as well as official approval for a real estate development policy linked to investors interested in constructing golf courses and marinas.

He informed participants in FITCuba 2010 of the Nuevos Hoteles E project for the restoration of heritage buildings, such as the Royalton in Bayamo in the eastern province of Granma, and the Barcelona in Remedios, in the central province of Villa Clara.

He likewise mentioned ongoing work in Old Havana and on installations in the Valle de los Ingenios in Sancti Spíritus, both places designated World Heritage Sites; the restoration of Havana’s Malecón and Avenida del Puerto; and noted that in the future, the Bay of Havana could become an important tourism port.

Infrastructural modernization in Varadero, the country’s largest resort, the upgrading of airport facilities and the restoration of the Ciénaga de Zapata and diving centers, are other activities underway.

After Marrero’s speech, José Manuel Bisbé, MINTUR’s commercial director, launched the El Oriente Cubano (Eastern Cuba) catalogue. The fair’s inauguration concluded with the cancellation of a stamp signed by María Elena López, deputy minister of tourism, and Rubén Arteaga, vice president of the Cuban Postal Service, attached to the Ministry of Informatics and Communications.

FITCuba 2010 FITCuba 2010 takes place from May 3 through 8, and is promoting the island’s attractions with a special focus on events and incentive options in tourism, the eastern region as a destination, and Russia as a market.