The Minister of Tourism, Juan Carlos García Granda, paid a working visit to the Republic of Türkiye, from September 16 to 19, 2022, with the aim of deepening the historic ties existing between both nations and peoples, reviewing the progress made in the marketing and promotion of Cuba as a destination and examining the existing potentials for its development.
During his stay in Turkey, the head of Cuban tourism met with Mr. Nail Olpak, President of the Foreign Economic Relations Council of Turkey (DEIK), with whom he examined the existing possibilities for the development of bilateral relations in the tourism sector. The meeting was also attended by senior DEIK officials: Merih Kepez Örnek, Deputy Secretary General; Ecem Mahmutoğlu, Director of the Turkey-Americas Regional Council; and Leyla Ilhan Pamukcu, Head of Cuba Affairs.
Likewise, from the Minister of Tourism García Granda was received by Mr. Bilal Ekşi, General Manager Turkish Airlines, accompanied by Mr. Ahmet Kaya, Vice President of Cargo; Mr. Hikmet Mesut Türkseve, Vice President of Sales; Özlem Salíhoğlu, President of International Relations and Alliances; and Onur Alpan, Manager of International Relations and Agreements for Europe and the Americas. The meeting discussed the potential for the development of bilateral relations in the tourism sector, particularly the consolidation and expansion of the Turkish airline's presence in Cuba.
He also held meetings with important executives of the Turkish Travel Agencies Association (TURSAB) and gave a lecture at the headquarters of that organization on tourism in Cuba and its development potential, as well as exchanged and talked with Turkish tour operators working in the Cuban market.
Minister García Granda was accompanied by Alejandro F. Díaz Palacios, Cuban Ambassador to Türkiye; Eddy Santos González, Deputy Director of Marketing of the MINTUR; and Cristina de la Caridad León Ysnaga, Trade Policy Expert of the MINTUR.
