Cigars still a blockbuster all over the world

Regardless of the economic crisis sweeping the world today, cigar sales in over a hundred countries are still reaping big profits with a market value of $240 million, Jaime Garcia Andrade, co-chairman of Habanos S.A. told the press.

In a news conference to unveil the details and preparations of the Fifth International Cigar Festival –scheduled from February 24 to 28 in Havana’s International Conference Center- Mr. Andrade was bursting at the seams with optimism over cigar retailing and said even the beating of war drums in the Middle East has not hampered the sale of stogies in that part of the world.

Manuel Garcia, vice president of marketing at Habanos S.A., mentioned the huge numbers put up by the new mechanically-rolled brand dubbed Guantanamera in Germany, Canada and Mexico. Mr. Garcia announced Guantanamera cigars will soon hit the shelves in Spain, Italy and Cuba. “In all cases, acceptance rates can’t be any better with an excellent price-quality ratio,” he said.

Both execs, alongside marketing director for Habanos S.A. Ana Lopez, revealed new amenities in this year’s festival in which patrons will have the chance of tasting whiskey and puffing at cigars.

The event will come to an end with the traditional Gala Dinner –to be held this time around at PABEXPO Fairgrounds- in which every year humidors, works of fine arts and other items are sold under the gavel and the collected money is funneled into the island nation’s public health sector.