Nicosia, October 2, 2026. - The Cuban ambassador to Cyprus, Mr. Rubén Pino Martínez, received this Friday Mr. Christos Christou, vice president of the Cyprus Travel and Tourism Agencies Association (ACTTA), at the headquarters of the Antillean diplomatic mission in this capital.
After thanking him for his visit, the Cuban diplomat spoke about the enormous potential that could be developed between both nations in the tourism sector, investments, and sociocultural exchange, encouraged by the growing interest that the Caribbean island has been generating among tourists from the Eastern Mediterranean area.
Along with updating him on the economic situation that Cuba and its people are going through as a result of the U.S. blockade imposed for more than six decades, Pino Martínez also briefed him on the recent executive orders from that government, which make the living conditions of ordinary citizens even more severe and difficult, because they aim to impose a kind of collective punishment on millions of Cubans and prevent any possible international aid or trade from the island with entrepreneurs, entities, or any nation in the world that shows interest in Cuba.
Despite this, he explained that his government is implementing a set of economic measures and various adjustments in its current legislation to expand investment opportunities in the tourism sector, aiming, among other things, to create economic development zones with special regimes in the Portfolio of Opportunities and new business models.
Likewise, the establishment of travel agencies by joint ventures, with foreign capital or from the non-state sector; the operation of tour guides and private sales agents, the leasing of tourist facilities, the granting of usufruct for a fee, and investment by Cubans living abroad, among other modalities.
During the meeting, the ambassador gave the vice president of ACTTA a copy of the report that Cuba will present at the United Nations General Assembly, titled "Need to End the Economic, Commercial, and Financial Blockade Imposed by the United States of America Against Cuba," which highlights the impact of the blockade on the Cuban economy and population; at the same time, he invited him to participate in the 42nd Havana International Fair, FIHAV 2026, which will be held in a hybrid format and where he will be able to see firsthand the offers and new opportunities that Cuba now offers to investors. He emphasized that it is both a duty and an excellent opportunity to, from ACTTA, promote Cuba as a complete tourist destination.
Christos Christou showed interest in the fair, already committed to sharing that information with his colleagues and clients, while also appreciating the chance to promote— with the help of the Cuban diplomatic mission in Nicosia—presentations to the local specialized sector, showcasing Cuba as the safe destination it is, reflecting the beauty and reality of the island, and thus sparking new incentives to visit the Caribbean country, also as an affordable option for Cypriot tourism, especially since the ACTTA vice president confirmed “that the interest of Cypriots in Cuba is not negligible.”
As a result, he encouraged the Cuban diplomat to look for ways for the largest of the Antilles to participate in the Nicosia Travel Expo, the most important exhibition event dedicated to tourism, an ideal stage for promoting Cuba as a more accessible tourist option from the Eastern Mediterranean region. Embassy of Cuba in Cyprus
Embassy of Cuba in Cyprus