Havana to Host FITCuba 2019

In the year that marks the 500th anniversary of its foundation, the Cuban capital will host the country's number-one tourism and travel fair, in which Spain -one of Cuba’s top outbound markets - will be featured as the guest country of honor

FITCuba 2018, which this year set out to relaunch Cayo Santa María –the Cuban tourist destination pounded hardest by devastating hurricane Irma in September last year- fulfilled its mission and surpassed all expectations, said Cuba’s Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz during the closing of the International Tourism Fair in Plaza Las Terrazas on the key.

"It has been four days of intense and fruitful negotiations. So much so, that I would dare to describe this fair as one of the best we have carried out so far," said Minister Marrero in his closing remarks.

The fair gathered a grand total of 3,319 representatives from the travel industry hailing from 62 countries, in addition to 178 journalists from several major media. Among the most numerous delegations, Spain, the United States, Mexico and the United Kingdom stood out.

Minister Manuel Marrero explained all major agreements and achievements reaped in the course of FITCuba 2018. The most outstanding ones are:

- The FTI Group from Germany signed an agreement for the management of hotels in Cuba and will charter, as of next winter, a plane for daily flights between Santa Clara and Europe.

- The chartering of flights to improve domestic airlift on the island.

- The signing of a letter of intent between Louvre Hotels of France and Cubanacán for the administration of all hotels operated by the Cuban incoming agency in Sagua la Grande.

- The addition by all European tour operators specialized in circuits, of all hotels in Santa Clara, Remedios and Sagua la Grande in the catalogs due out next winter.

- The signing of a contract between Iberostar and Gaviota for the administration and management of the Packard Hotel in Havana, which will open in the coming month of August.

As it is traditional, Minister Marrero took the opportunity to announce that FITCuba 2019 will be held in Havana, in the same year that the great Cuban city will turn 500 years. In the same breath, Spain was selected as the guest country of honor.

"We are pleased to announce that the FITCuba Organizing Committee proposed, and thus was approved, to dedicate next year's fair to Spain as the guest of honor," announced Mr. Marrero, who invited Spanish ambassador to Cuba, His Excellency Mr. Juan José Buitrago de Benito, to come onstage and pick up the certificate.

"I want to try to convey the gratitude that I feel at this moment, not mine but from the government of Spain, for this designation that we will try to honor with great professionalism and, especially, with great affection," Ambassador Buitrago said in his words acceptance.

Finally, Mr. Marrero Cruz informed that next year's edition of the International Tourism Fair, which as previously reported will feature Havana as the venue of choice, will be dedicated to MICE travel (meetings, incentives, congresses and events).