Cuban Culture Enthralls French Delegation Attending 2014 FITCuba

“I feel something different on this island, something seductive and strong that tells me that Cuba is far more than sun and sand in terms of tourism”, the Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, Tourism Promotion and French People Overseas, Fleur Pellerim, told Caribbean News Digital.

The French officer traveled to Havana to attend the 34th International Tourism Show, which has France as guest country, and three days were enough for her to perceive the cultural wealth of this nation, its patrimonial treasures, eclectic architecture and history in every corner.

After the official cutting-ribbon ceremony of 2014 FITCuba, Pellerin gave us a few minutes to highlight the relevance of this kind of event, and praise the work carried out by Cuba in an effort to develop a sustainable, attractive and cliché-free travel industry.

“Tourists can also visit museums here, they get to know the history and culture of this country, and I think that’s something powerful Cuba has to develop its tourism sector, which is very interesting to the government of France”, Pellerin asserted.
She also pointed out that the country holds multicultural events, such as the French Movie Festival, the second largest event dedicated to the cinematography of that country out of French borders, whose 17th edition is presently taking place in Havana.

The visitor commented that both governments are negotiating the possibility of French cruises, sailing to islands Guadalupe and Martinique, to include calls in Cuba, so as to diversify the tourism experience.

The presence of Pellerin in 2014 FITCuba is surrounded by a promising environment for the relation between Cuba and France, a reality that was supported by the recent visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Laurent Faubius. Furthermore, Pellerim inked a short-term credit agreement to facilitate and broaden commercial relations between both nations.

France stands among the top-ten outbound markets for Cuba, with 96,000 visitors in 2013, and French companies Accor, Nouvelles Frontiéres and Fram-Voyages operating in the island’s travel industry, with optimistic growth perspectives in the offing.