Q & A with Elena Rabassa VaronaChief of Cuba´s Tourism Office in Germany
by Jose Carlos de Santiago
Germany is by far one of Europe´s top outbound markets for Cuba, and the island nation´s strategy for coming years will focus on further strengthening of all trade ties with major tour operators from that country. In the same breath, Cuba will continue supporting all small and large operators willing to make the largest Caribbean island a part of their travel packages.
This is what the head of Cuba´s Tourism Office in Germany had to say about these topics in this exclusive interview with Caribbean News Digital.
Q.- When were you appointed to this post?
A.- I was promoted recently, just a month ago. However, I´ve got vast experience in the field of Cuban tourism because I´ve been working for the Tourism Ministry for more than twenty years.
Q.- What did you do at the Cuban Tourism Ministry?
A.- Well, I´ve taken many responsibilities. I´ve acted as hotel manager, director of Cubanacan in the province of Camaguey, and more recently I´d been working as chief of the International Sales Enterprise of CUBATUR, the local travel agency.
Q.- Were you familiar with the German market?
A.- Oh, absolutely. My experience in the German market has been marked by many years of work. I´ve been dealing with some of Germany´s top tour operators since I first started working for Cuban tourism, especially with those that first promoted the travel destination of Santa Lucia, in northern Camaguey. That´s how my working relations with this lovely market got a start in the first place.
Q.- What new projects does the Tourism Ministry have in store for the German market?
A.- Well, Germany is one of the top outbound markets Cuba counts on right now. Our main idea is to continue beefing up our trade ties with all major tour operators within this market and to continue providing support to all small and large operators willing to make Cuba a part of their travel packages.
Q.- How are you planning to promote Cuba Cultural in Germany?
A.- Cuba Cultural is a far-reaching concept because Cuba is indeed a large travel destination in which its people and its culture stand out. This is no doubt a huge product. We revamp our cultural products everyday and we´re definitely rebuilding our strategy and our ties with the local culture by remodeling and enhancing museums, restaurants and everything else linked to culture in this country. The entire Cuban cultural heritage is being incorporated to the German market.
Q.- I believe Cuba´s Ministry of Culture has a big say in this travel planning, doesn´t it?
A.- In the case of the German market both ministries work hand in hand. Our job in Germany as the Tourism Ministry fits in everything the Cuban Ministry of Culture does in that country. The Ministry of Culture has vast experience in the German market because it has for years working out musical deals there and buttressing its ties with a number of German organizations and institutions.
Q.- Are there any plans to overhaul the layout and missions of Cuba´s Tourism Office in Germany?
A.- No, there aren´t any plans whatsoever to do such thing. As I said at the top of this interview, our goal is to do a much better job and continue strengthening that work.
