Q & A with Manuel MarreroCuba´s Tourism Minister

by Minerva Hernandez Bazo

Within the framework of Cuba´s 26th International Tourism Fair, tourism minister Manuel Marrero told Caribbean News Digital that the massive turnout of boldface names and execs from different countries bears out the impulse of the island nation´s travel industry and the way the Cuban destination is basking in the world market.

Mr. Marrero also confirmed the start of the new Cuba-Venezuela multi-destination offer and called on the integration of the Caribbean region in such fields as tourism and trade.

Q.- What major outcomes do you expect from this fair?

A.- I´m upbeat about the possible results we´re going to reap in this fair. I´m very glad about the high levels of attendance from different nations, including presidents and vice presidents of major tour operators that target this particular destination. We´ve also welcomed presidents and vice presidents of a number of hotel chains with operations in Cuba, as well the top brass of several airlines serving our market.

Q.- What can you say about the Cuba-Venezuela multi-destination offer getting unveiled in this fair?

A.- This is a two-pronged product as construed between two countries, with Cubatur and Venetur acting as incoming travel agencies. This program is, above all, a way to tackle promotion and advertisement in different markets. It´s all about a product that can be known both in Cuba and Venezuela. The two ministries agreed on the project, while the airlines and the travel agencies will take on the program as such.

Q.- What new integration projects for the Caribbean are in the pipeline?

A.- We´re planning to hold a meeting of all tourism ministers from the region, right here in Cuba, and integration is definitely going to be one of the hot issues on the agenda. We´ll assess the behavior and the possibilities of multi-destination, climate changes, hurricanes and the ways to conciliate protection against natural disasters.

We will humbly explain the experience of Cuba in all these fields, including the future development and the advance of the hotel sector in the Caribbean. The gathering will also zero in on the best ways to deal with marketing policies for the whole region.

Q.- Will the topic of transportation be part of the meeting´s agenda as well?

A.- Of course. Transportation and intercommunication among Caribbean nations are serious problems we need to tackle. Sometimes it´s much harder to get to a Caribbean island than to travel to Europe. We´ve noticed there are more options on the table right now and we want to take advantage of those choices to further improve transportation in, around and out of the region.