Q & A with Enrique SotolongoPresident of the San Cristobal Travel Agency

Within the framework of the recently concluded International Tourism Fair in Cuba, Caribbean News Digital talked extensively with Mr. Sotolongo about the features and offers that the San Cristobal Travel Agency has to make. This organization is part of a project spearheaded by the Office of the Havana City Historian that gives customers the chance of delving into 500 years of history rich in religious syncretism, cultural values and half-breed shades.

When did the San Cristobal Travel Agency come into being and what is it all about in the first place?

San Cristobal was founded back in 1996 by Habaguanex S.A. and is attached to the Havana City Historian´s Office. This is an agency specialized in incoming tourism and a very distinctive character of its own that helps travelers to find out what Old Havana is truly all about and draw them closer to the historical and cultural values this island nation cherishes.

All this is carried out with the help of a team of young, talented professionals who are always willing to go the extra mile to provide the best service money can buy, both to individual visitors and groups.

What are the main services you provide?

We put together travel packages and programs that are usually tailor-made for tourists, fancy options for honeymooners and newlyweds, others designed for FAM groups, specialized tours, conventions, historic and cultural programs, as well as dinners, cocktails, weddings, theme parties and lots of other possibilities.

To the best of our knowledge, San Cristobal is closed tied to cultural activities going on in the old part of town as well as to events and conventions, is that correct?

You bet. San Cristobal also offers visitors the possibility of enjoying a broad program of concerts and cultural shows that are held in Old Havana and all across the nation´s capital.

We guarantee all the logistics and services required to successfully organize congresses, meetings and conferences. Our marketing team is made up of top-class, young and talented professionals who know the ropes of this particular business. As a matter of fact, San Cristobal organizes all events and meetings convened by the Havana City Historian´s Office.

Is your company also involved in lodging?

We primarily market a hotel line developed by Habaguanex in the historic center of Old Havana, facilities that recreate the ambience and the image of colonial Havana. Those small hostels and hotels that have been reopened now for tourists from around the world were commonplace back in the time of the colonial rule. They are usually coupled with a mesh of local restaurants and eateries that also resemble the colonial atmospheres of some centuries ago. In all of them, the desire to please tourists is the name of the game.

Do you also try your hand at transportation?

We count on a huge offer of transportation services that include colonial-style horse-hauled buggies, the cute coco taxis, old-vintage cars from the 1950s and a line of high-tech vehicles as well. We run our own car rentals and provide support to other leasing companies across the country.

With this magnificent portfolio under your belt, what message is San Cristobal putting across its customers from around the globe?

We invite them to come to Havana and visit Cuba. They can rest assured we won´t let them down. That´s what many of our customers say. They believe the experience is worth the ride and our agency has what it takes to make them dreams come true.