Díaz-Canel attended the inauguration in Varadero of the 40th edition of the International Tourism Fair, FitCuba-2022, the one with the largest attendance in its history
Author: Freddy Pérez Cabrera | internet@granma.cu
May 3, 2022 12:05:17
Varadero, Matanzas.–The safety of Cuban tourism, as well as the excellent hygienic-sanitary conditions of the Greater Antilles for the development of this activity, based on the control of the pandemic and the fact that we have our own vaccines, were highlighted during the inauguration of the 40th International Tourism Fair, which was attended by the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, who, together with the member of the Political Bureau and Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz, cut the ribbon that made the opening of the meeting official, based here.
Marrero Cruz reiterated the welcome to the participants and thanked the presence of the diplomatic corps, the tourism ministers of Mexico, Venezuela and Argentina, as well as tour operators, airline representatives, businessmen and women, journalists and the rest of the present, who trust in Cuba's destiny.
He also recognized the massive turnout of 5,260 people from 53 nations, the largest number in the history of the event, a sign of confidence in the recovery of the sector in the archipelago.
The Prime Minister also spoke of the complex context in which the activity unfolds, as a result of the imperial harassment against Cuba, despite which the country did not stop in the development of an industry that is vital for its economy, and also highlighted the role that the new economic actors are called to play in strengthening this activity.
"What has been done by tourism shows that Cuba will continue to resist and develop, with the support of a people that trusts in its Revolution," said the Head of Government, who stated that the most recent example of that support was the participation of more than five million Cubans in the parade of the 1st. of May.
For his part, Juan Carlos García Granda, Minister of Tourism, referred to the business and investment possibilities in the sector, which today has 240 hotels and 77,809 rooms, of which more than 59,000 already have Wi-Fi connection.
"We are optimistic and we trust in the recovery of the sector in the shortest term," assured the minister, who highlighted the steps that are being taken to attract the largest number of visitors to Cuba in the coming months and years.
RECOVERY IN THE SECTOR
• In the first four months of 2022 the number of visitors grows compared to the same period of the previous year.
• To date, Cuba has received more than 450,000 tourists, and the goal of welcoming two and a half million visitors this year has not been abandoned.
• Due to the effects of the blockade imposed by the Government of the United States against Cuba, the Greater Antilles has been forced to compete with markets at a greater distance, which complicates the situation, although alternatives are sought.
• With regard to the main issuing markets, the Canadian is recovering, in addition to other Europeans, and the Russian is not renounced at some point, which was one of the main ones due to the number of visitors it brought, which is already being worked on .
• Airlines that bring tourists to our destination are reactivated, such as World2 Fly, from the Iberostar group, which increases the number of offices in Cuba, and also highlights the growing demand of the English market.