Cuba Celebrates 25th Edition of the Havana International Tourism Fair
Havana is a city full of magic and charms that puts its smart money on its own realization. That explains why it continues to be dignified, well preserved by its own residents, every nook and cranny restored to the utmost to make its esthetic details and intimate, majestic ambience reign on for forever more.
That´s the picture Cuba´s capital paints of itself today now that the 25th edition of the island nation´s International Tourism Fair is round the corner, an event that this time around will gather attendants at the Morro-Cabaña Park from May 10 to 13.
The tradeshow is extremely important based on the fact that the travel industry is by and large Cuba´s top income source, churning out some $2 billion annually. The Caribbean island´s natural charms and safety, coupled with comfy hotel and extra-hotel infrastructure, helped the country last year crack the two-million-tourist plateau for the first time ever. Estimates for 2005 are gunning for a whole lot more as experts believe Cuba could reel in as many as 2.3 million sunbathers, a new record high.
There´s no doubt this fair is a key player in making this dream come true because it´s by far the perfect framework to showcase two great travel products like Havana and Santiago de Cuba. The latter, Cuba´s second-largest city, offers great weather conditions, cultural values and a warm population. The travel mart also opens a window of opportunity for companies to ink major contracts that will eventually help give the nation´s travel destinations a big boost.
Last year´s fair, held in Varadero –Cuba´s top beach destination- was attended by a thousand industry professionals, including 593 representatives from 145 tour operators and travel agencies. Now the event is changing its venue and retuning to the location where the 21st edition took place back in 2001: the Morro-Cabaña Park.
This is a historic enclave that offers breathtaking views of the city and hooks up with the old part of town through the bay tunnel. China and France will be coming as guest countries as more and more nations keep a close eye on Cuba´s fast-paced advance of the leisure industry. France is, as a matter of fact, one of premier outbound markets for the island nation.
The 25th edition of the International Tourism Fair will also give a leg up to the so-called circuit, tour and excursion travel, relying on an assortment of options that are simply too hard to resist, organizers say.
The Morro-Cabaña Fortress, built during the Spanish colonial rule to protect Havana residents from lurking pirates and corsairs, is these days showing off its potentials as the perfect place to promote travel and underscore Cuba´s stance as an excellent destination.
