Cuba’s Minister of Tourism: thousands of new hotel rooms, internet upgrades are coming

Cuba’s Minister of Tourism Manuel Marrero Cruz was in Toronto last Friday (Oct 5) to provide an update on Cuba's tourism industry, putting focus on the volume of new hotel rooms and improved infrastructure his country will see in the near and distant future. 

“Canada continues to be our main market,” the Minister said, speaking in Spanish as Eloy Govea, director of Canada at the Cuba Tourist Board, translated his speech in English. “Hospitality and safety are among the main characteristics that distinguish Cuba.” 

The lunch event, held at Toronto’s Sassafraz restaurant, was hosted by the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Cuba and Cuba Tourism Board and drew nearly three dozen attendees, including media, tour operators, hotel and airlines representatives and Cuban delegates. 

CUBA BY THE NUMBERS

The Minister pointed out that at the time of his speech, Cuba had received 3,553,772 foreign visitors, representing 97.4 per cent of what the country reached in 2017, and a growth of 19 per cent compared to 2016. 

Cuba currently has 69,250 hotel rooms, 66 per cent are part of four and five-star hotels, the Minister said. There are 24,000 rooms in private homes, such as bed and breakfasts, and more than 2,000 private restaurants. 

“We have more than 960 km of beautiful beaches, some of them being among the best in the universe,” the Minister said. 

MORE HOTEL ROOMS ON THE WAY 

Cuba has many projects in development that will carry it well into 2030, the Minister said. The 610 initiatives include adding 332 accommodations and more than 100,000 rooms, 51 recreation projects, 30 real-estate projects associated with tourism, 50 nature-related activities, 55 camping attractions and 22 projects associated with recreational boating.  

Cuba will see 4,825 new rooms completed in time for this upcoming winter season, among which includes the Packard Hotel in Havana and the Varadero International, which will open its doors by year-end. 

The Minister said that 5,249 new rooms will be ready the end of 2019 with the completion of the Prado and Malecón luxury hotels. 

ALL EYES ON HAVANA 

“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 centers, all as part of the preparations for the celebration of the 500 years,” the Minister said. 

It’s for this reason that FITCUBA 2019, an international tourism fair, will be held in Havana from May 6-10 in 2019. 

UPGRADES FOR THE UPCOMING WINTER SEASON 

The Minister said that, since last year, measures have been taken to ensure “superior quality service” in the areas of renovation, hotel infrastructure and food standards. 

He said progress has been made around wi-fi connectivity, including the implementation of 3G and 4G networks, noting that Cayo Santa Maria and Cayo Largo “will be the first digital sustainable destinations of Cuba.” 

Cuba is a destination that "will change always for the better by providing comfortable hotels, music, food, tobacco, rum, sun and the best beaches” in addition to having no organized crime, drug cartels, or kidnappings, the Minister said. 

“That is 100 per cent authentic Cuba.”

For more information, visit gocuba.ca.