Cuba salsas its way into winter

Delegates from Cuba’s travel and tourism industry officially launched the 2018-2019 winter season last night (Nov. 1) at a dinner event in downtown Toronto, sharing updates on a new and improved “Authentic Cuba.”

“This year we foresee welcoming more than 4.7 million visitors, a new record for Cuba, and we are pleased that Canadians remain our main source market. We reaffirm our commitment to continue this longstanding partnership,” Janet Ayala, marketing director for the Ministry of Cuba, told more than 200 travel agents, suppliers and tour operators at the Toronto Region Board Of Trade.

The festive night featured an upbeat live musical performance by salsa group The Clave Kings, salsa dancers, and presentations about Cuba’s latest hotel openings, sustainable initiatives for its 960 kilometres of beaches and plans for Havana’s upcoming 500th anniversary celebration.

“Cuba is a destination in constant renovation and at the same time [it’s] authentic, real,” Ayala said.

The informative night included a rousing trade show, which welcomed ten Cuba-based hotel chains and trade partners that showcased the latest experiences, programs, stays, tours, excursions, themed itineraries, leisure activities, nautical and wellness activities that Cuba has to offer.

What’s new for winter 2018-2019?

“We have new properties in virtually every single area in Cuba,” Eloy Govea, director with the Cuba Tourist Board in Canada, told PAX at the event. “Having new properties has always been a great indicator of growth.”

This winter’s new hotels and events include:

• The premiere of Cubanísimo By Havanatur in Varadero, at the Roc Arenas Doradas hotel, the first Cuban-themed club offering craft workshops and activities that revolve around local traditions.
• The opening of the Meliá Hotels Internacional in Varadero.
• The Iberostar Grand Packard luxury hotel has opened in Havana, just ahead of the city’s 500th anniversary.
• Santiago de Cuba welcomes two new hotels:  Segundo Frente and Los Peregrinos hotels near the Sanctuary of the Virgin of El Cobre.
• Long stays program, named Happy Age, put together by Cuban Medical Services is designed for healthy seniors physically and mentally active,  ranging from 75 to 85 years old.

Finally, the 39th edition of FITCuba 2019 – the country’s international tourism fair – will take place from May 6th to 11^th in 2019 in Havana.

Long-term investments ahead

Cuba’s Minister of Tourism Manuel Marrero Cruz was in Toronto earlier this month to provide an update on Cuba's tourism industry, pointing to Cuba’s commitment to adding 332 accommodations and more than 100,000 rooms by 2030.

The Minister said that Cuba will see 4,825 new rooms completed in time for this upcoming winter season. 

“This winter you will find that our capital looks different and this is because it’s in a process of working to recover its heritage, opening new hotels, shopping and cultural centres, all as part of the preparations for the celebration of the 500 years,” the Minister said.

For more information, visit www.cuba.travel/