During the World Travel Market in London, Caribbean News Agency interviewed Cuba’s Tourism Vice Minister Eduardo Rodriguez de la Vega, who gave us some enlightening figures about tourism on the island nation all through 2003, a sector that’s been making some incredible headway regardless of the unhelpful conditions triggered by a severe crisis that pummeled the travel industry worldwide through most of 2001 and 2002. Furthermore, Mr. Rodriguez speaks about new hotel investments and the need to add more air connections in order to snare a much larger inflow of tourists.

In this exclusive interview with Caribbean News Digital, the chief of TACA Office in Spain speaks about the new accords signed between his company and CATA (Central America Tourism Association) in an effort to ease flights across the region.

Within the framework of the World Travel Market in London, Caribbean News Digital interviewed Aruba’s Tourism Minister Edison Briesen. Among other things, Mr. Briesen talked about his country’s strategy to both branch out and enhance tourist markets. In the same breath, he referred to improvement chances for the local hotel industry as far as quality is concerned, as well as to the need of adding more air connections.

A new trademark comes into being Born for Evolution seems to be the sign of the times in this absolutely revolutionary image change. A few years after First Choice’s buyout of Barceló Travel (formerly owned by the Barceló Co.), this change now comes to pass. The company’s marketing director Gabriel Riera tells us how and why that happened now in the first place.

November 11, 2003 We’ll like to avail ourselves of this opportunity to congratulate Dr. Miguelina Ortiz for her appointment as Tourism Minister of the Dominican Republic. Mrs. Ortiz is replacing her husband, Rafael Subervi, who requested a leave as minister to become a presidential candidate in his country’s oncoming elections. Mrs. Subervi served her tenure as top advisor to the minister in recent years and did a great job that earned her this new post. We also pass on our good wishes to Mrs. Subervi for becoming the first woman ever to be appointed to such a high-ranking office. We talked to her yesterday and Caribbean News Digital asked her views on an array of different issues from her new standpoint. One of the things that astounded us the most was the calm and joyful way in which she got the breaking news. All she did that same day was to continue working for her country at the recently concluded London International Travel Market.

In an exclusive interview with Caribbean News Digital, Mrs. Gomez reveals some actions that will be making headlines soon and keeps us posted on what’s been going on lately in the world as to the International Gran Prix to be held in Havana in Feb. 2004 where the world’s finest barmen will come together.