“Destinations Gaviota” Tourism Marketplace Underway in Cuba

The 2018 edition of the “Destinations Gaviota” Marketplace, organized by Cuban tourism group Gaviota S.A., officially kicked off Thursday at the Hotel Grand Muthu Cayo Guillermo, nestled in Jardines del Rey, north of the province of Ciego de Avila.

With a turnout of some 350 representatives from tour operators, travel agencies, hotel chains, airlines and tourism service providers, the Gaviota Group wishes to show the good operation of Jardines del Rey one year after the havoc wreaked by hurricane Irma.

Irma, of category-five hurricane, caused significant damage to the hotel infrastructure and the sand dunes of Jardines del Rey, thus preventing Gaviota S.A. from holding its traditional travel marketplace.

Frank Ostulki Rodriguez, deputy president of Marketing for Gaviota S.A., explained those attending the event that as the island nation’s leading travel and tourism company, Gaviota maintains an annual growth of 12 percent. Only in the ongoing year, the group has added over 3,000 new guestrooms, which amounts to a grand total of 33,200 rooms in 93 accommodations.

“What’s more, it is of special interest for Gaviota its 4,000 management contracts, which include the Playa Cayo Santa Maria, Playa Coco in Cayo Coco and Playa Pesquero in Holguín”, Mr. Ostulki said in his keynote remarks before more than 300 people attending the event.

He also assured that all hotel beds in the keys off Cuba’s north shore are in perfect condition and ready for the start of the peak season in Cuba, which begins on November 1.

For her part, Yusimi Perez Ramirez, chief of Promotion for the Gaviota Group, said that Jardines del Rey is one of the destinations the company pays more heed to on the island nation.

“This event paves the way for B2B meetings among international companies that manage and run the Gaviota hotels, as well as Marinas Gaviota, Gaviota Tours, Trans Gaviota, AT Gaviota and Gaviota Hotels, which will work in search of synergies that allow for successful tourism operations,” said Mrs. Ramírez in her presentation.

The opening ceremony of the inaugural “Destinations Gaviota” marketplace boasted a nice array of artistic and cultural values with the performances of singer-songwriter Raul Torres and the Revolution Dance Company.

The event, which will come to an end tomorrow, will feature presentations by a number of hotel companies and tour operators, including Spanish hotel groups Meliá and Iberostar, as well as Fiesta Americana from México.