Naval & Industrial set up shop in Cuba fourteen years ago with a view to provide full-fledged mechanical services to midsize and large vessels. This is how the company’s general agent, Amada Luisa Rios Alvarez, defines what Naval & Industrial is actually all about. In an exclusive interview with Caribbean News Digital within the framework of EXPOVARADERO 2004, Mrs. Alvarez said the sale of International Paint and Intersleek 700 –its top product- is high on the list of her firm’s goals. Other joint projects with Cuba are in full swing right now, including a partnership plan with Πmesco, the special mechanical group, and the upcoming opening in Varadero of a hardware store specialized in naval items and accessories.

Quintana Roo to Add 15,000 New Hotel Rooms The Mexican state of Quintana Roo, home to world-class Cancun, is making plans to enhance its stock of hotel rooms over the next five years with the addition of 15,000 new accommodations. The announcement was made by Eng. Dario Flota Ocampo, state undersecretary of tourism promotion, who also told Caribbean News Digital about some major investments for the state’s extra-hotel network that are currently underway. “Three years from now, we’ll have eleven new golf courses in addition to the seven courses that the state already has. That’s definitely going to give the destination a wider edge,” Mr. Ocampo pointed out.

Mexico Wants Tourism to Be its Fate of Choice Mexico´s Tourism Secretary Rodolfo Elizondo called on the local travel industry to be the destiny of the whole nation, as he officially opened the second edition of the World Tourism Exposition (WTE 2004). "We must join hands and be creative to make Mexico the destination of choice not only for foreign tourists, but also for investors," Mr. Elizondo pointed out. The high-ranking Mexican official praised the massive turnout to the Second World Tourism Exposition that this time around is gathering over 200 exhibitors from nearly two dozen countries. In Mr. Elizondo´s opinion, the WTE is destined to become one of the planet´s major travel tradeshows of its kind. "Mexico," he said, "is fostering the development of local and regional tourism because 86 percent of the industry´s revenues are generated by domestic travelers. For our country, tourism will be the lever we need to draw investment, to create new jobs and to bring progress to o

As Mexico’s second most sought-after destination, Puerto Vallarta –lying on the western side of the state of Jalisco and bathed by the Pacific Ocean- has a far-reaching development plan for the next three years. About this and other details, Caribbean News Digital talked with Gustavo Gonzalez Villaseñor, the highest-ranking municipal authority there.

With over ten years of experience in Sol Meliá –a considerable chunk of them in the Caribbean- Rodrigo Silveyra has just been appointed to manage the Meliá Cohiba Hotel in Havana. In this exclusive interview with Caribbean News Digital, Mr. Silveyra speaks about his career and the future plans of Cuba’s flagship lodging run by the Spanish company on the island nation.

“Our goal is to be the very best in each and every sector, in every category, and what we´re doing is contained in that slogan of ours that reads "We Are Hoteliers." That explains why we´re always looking for the best professionals in the industry for each and every hotel. That´s our philosophy." With these remarks, Marketing Director of Five-Star Hotels for the Hesperia Hotels defines what the goal of this world-class company really is. Later on, she refers to the firm´s main establishments, its major expansion projects and the development of new areas. Mrs. Lison also mentions other elements linked to the company´s marketing outlay and strategy.