Cuba Shows Progress in Sustainable Tourism in Regional Event

Cuba assured here Thursday that its tourism policy is governed by the need to contribute to socio-economic development from a sustainable base, in order to protect the national and regional environment.

Cuban Tourism Ministry planning director Gilberto Rios talked about the progress of Cuba in this sector, in a presentation at the 7th Caribbean Conference on Development of Sustainable Tourism, which will close Friday.

He mentioned the application of a new environmental strategy with a broad view of tourism, and an increase in protected areas of up to a little more than 30 percent of national territory, where tourism installations are forbidden.

There are also plans to make 6 new beaches available to the Cuban tourist system Bandera Azul del Caribe (Caribbean Blue Flag), and to promote sustainability in those resources in recognition of the right of tourists to enjoy a healthy environment.

He said that sustainability covers three inter-related fields, environment, culture and economy, and it requires education and a raising of social consciousness of the population, as well as legislation.

Examples in the cultural field are the design and architectural expressions of installations, to the fare provided in restaurants.

In the economic area the most important is the 100,000 workers in the sector, plus another 250,000 people indirectly linked to it.

This meeting in Tobago is also attended by ministers, experts and businessmen, who are discussing proposals regarding the best use of resources and environmental protection, in a sector which constitutes the main economic activity for many countries in the region.