Cuba Keen on Branching Out Investment, Outbound Markets
Cuba’s Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz said Tuesday the island nation wants to open an average 2,500 guestrooms every year, a figure that could ramp up dramatically following the signing of new foreign partnership agreements at a time when an increasing number of tourists is visiting the country. Last year Cuba cracked the 3-million-visitor plateau for the first time ever.
His opening keynote speech took place during the grand opening of the 35th edition of the International Tourism Fair (FIT Cuba 2015), currently under way in Jardines del Rey with a massive turnout of businesspeople and tour operators, plus 156 different airlines and travel agencies from the United States.
Mr. Marrero outlined the local travel industry’s guidelines that come down to the bulleted aspects below:
- Diversification of outbound markets: The traditional markets of Canada, Spain, Chile, China, Colombia, Sweden, Brazil and Uruguay will be joined by Venezuela, Germany and Italy, three nations that have put eye-popping numbers on the board in recent months.
- More guestrooms and bigger infrastructure in Havana –the island nation’s top travel destination- as a strategy to improve conditions for the ever-growing demand that’s clearly outnumbering the current offer.
- The creation of new foreign partnerships, especially in the real estate sector. One partnership agreement was recently inked with China as the second stage of the Bello Monte development in Havana is about to phase in.
- Joint efforts between the private and public sectors at a time when the former is now running a staggering 1,574 restaurants and bistros, let alone 11,504 homes outfitted to accommodate foreign tourists.
- Upgrade airports and marinas in an effort to step up the flow of visitors in and out of Cuba. New flights operated by Iberia, Air China and Brazil’s GOL are expected to begin this year.
- Encourage cruise calls and yachting at a time when the Marina Gaviota in Varadero, featuring 1,200 slips, is about to be concluded. Similar facilities are being built in other seaports and harbors, like the ones in Jardines del Rey.
