Tourism Professionals Wound Up Very Positive Tourism Convention in Cuba

The 24th Cuban Tourism Convention wound up successfully Wednesday evening with an award ceremony and a panoramic perspective of the Cuban tourist industry by Minister Manuel Marrero. The event gathered more than 2,000 delegates from nearly 60 countries.

The representatives from 45 tourist agencies, 15 airlines and 180 media outlets had a very full final day with presentations by Old Havana´s Habaguanex Company, Spain´s Sol Melia Hotel Chain, Gaviota Hotel Group, Formatur -tourism workers´ training program- and Aerocaribbean Airline.

Hotel chains were the main protagonists of the closing session of the 24th Cuban Tourism Convention, focusing on culture and nature.

Among the prestigious companies making presentations were Habaguanex and its San Cristobal travel agency. The firm operates in Old Havana and specializes in restoring colonial buildings, which it has turned into hotels, restaurants, taverns, bakeries and stores.

Gaviota inaugurated its 5-star Gran Lido Varadero Hotel on Wednesday, blessed with a 434 sea-front suites to be run under the category Super Everything Included, managed by Jamaica"s SuperClubs.

Gran Lido Varadero, a new five-star hotel oriented toward the business traveler, was opened in conjunction with the convention. Gran Lido is a 434-luxury room Super Club hotel (all inclusive) with novel architecture. Its opening was a highlight in the event.

Although the convention was officially over Wednesday evening, participants were welcome to the diverse cultural presentations Thursday at Jardines del Rey, the focus of this year´s convention, which includes a concert by famed Cuban jazz musician Chucho Valdes.

The 2004 Tourism Convention was devoted to Cuban culture and the British tourist market.

Rebecca Jara, chief of promotional and advertisement policy for the nation’s Tourism Ministry, noted the event gave marketing managers and execs from all the participating countries an opportunity to take a firsthand look at the entire tourist diversity that such a culture-laden nation as Cuba has to offer.

According to official stats provided by the organizers, the number of attending countries is broken down in 17 European nations; 11 from Asia and Oceania; 14 from Central America and the Caribbean; 2 from North America; 9 from South America, and four from Africa.

Cuba’s premier travel marketplace showcased the local travel destination of Jardines del Rey –a bunch of gorgeous keys off the central-eastern shoreline- stressing the role of culture within national tourism, and highlighting the British market, a segment that has marched down a steady growth path over the past five years.

Since earlier this year to date, the amount of traveling Britons to Cuba has climbed a whopping 52 percent, a figure that local authorities believe could peak 58.5 percent during the 27 weeks of the upcoming summertime season.

To top it all off, convention planners trumpeted a concert by world-class Cuban musician Chucho Valdez in Cayo Coco, one of the keys in Jardines del Rey on May 6.

Mrs. Jara also explained the 2005 Tourism Convention will highlight Santiago de Cuba as the main travel destination, with special attention riveted on circuits, tours and excursions.