On Cuba Press Day, March 14, 2023, the Minister of Tourism of Cuba, Juan Carlos Garcia Granda, hosted a media luncheon in downtown Toronto to share the latest destination news and honor Canadian travel media representatives and travellers.

Canadians continue to be the number 1 market in Cuba. As of today, Canadians count 80% in the current visitor statistics and more visitors are arriving every day.  

“Cuba is prepared to welcome more tourists,” says Juan Carlos Garcia Granda. “Hotel infrastructure has been improving including the renovation of 80,000 rooms.” As of now, 19 hotel chains are operating on the island.

Private Sector

For few years now, Cuba has been booming with the development of small and medium size businesses that play an important role in increasing the number of services provided to tourists. For example, new restaurants, art exhibitions, escorted tours, excursions, entertainment complexes etc are now available for tourists as well as locals.

Beyond Sun and Beach

Cuba now offers more specialized tours to target all kinds of travellers including:

History and Culture

Cuba has been known as a sun and beach destination for decades but there is so much more. One of the biggest strengths Cuba has as a destination is its culture and heritage. The island’s historical cities are very well preserved and are open for tourists to explore.

Canadian tour operators, in partnership with the government of Cuba, are working on the escorted tours that will allow your clients to visit multiple destinations like Varadero and Havana or Holguin and Santiago de Cuba. Travellers will enjoy the sunshine and amazing beaches of Cuba and learn more about the history of the island, experience the culture and try authentic Cuban cuisine.

The government is also working on a tool that will help your clients easily book all activities they want to do in Cuba online prior to their arrival on the island.

Nature Programs

Another important tourism segment Cuba is going to attract in 2023, is health and lifestyle. You can now promote Cuba as a wellness destination that offers health treatments, mineral springs, thermal therapies and more.

Protect the Environment, Cayo Largo – the First Waste Free Destination

With more resorts opening up in recent years, the Cuban government announced various projects that help protect the environment, keep the island as authentic and pollution free as possible and launch the real-life sustainable concept.

The first destination in Cuba to carry out this concept effectively is Cayo Largo, the newest tourist destination in Cuba.

Cayo Largo is the first SMART resort island in Cuba and is set as an example for other destinations on the island. This concept takes into consideration the digitalization of everyday activities like check in/check out, platform for booking excursions, strong WiFi etc. As well as the environmental issues like recycling, removing plastic, reuse of the different products to create no waste.

Cuba is Going Digital

In the last few years Cuba has been working on its digitalization efforts and you can already experience strong, resort-wide WiFi for free and an online declaration form designed to facilitate the passenger’s arrival in Cuba.

Cuba is continuing to work on its digital services including a tool that will enable visitors to check out online and a digital Tourist Visa that should be available by October 2023.

Foreign Investors Are Welcomed

“No more supply issues,” says Juan Carlos. For the first time, the Cuban government has allowed the foreign investors to fund in the retail and wholesalers’ sectors on the island. Few transnational companies have already shown interest and are ready to invest. It is possible that before the end of this year, some of these companies will have their presence in Cuba.

MICE and Events

Cuba is also working on the recovering their position in the Caribbean area as a MICE and Events destination. Cuba has all conditions for this segment and a lot of potential for future growth.

Unica

Cuba continues pushing its newest campaign called Unica. Launched in June 2022, the Unica is focused on what makes Cuba unique: historical sights, cultural heritage, national parks, cuisine and most of all Cubans! “It’s Cubans who make CUBA … UNIQUE”

FitCuba 2023

Want to learn more about what Cuba has to offer? Join your fellow professionals at The International Tourism Fair May 1-5 in Havana, the beating heart of Cuba. fitcuba.com

Photo (from left to right): Karen Puebla, Executive Assistant Cuba Tourist Board; Nieves Ricardo, Marketing Cuba Tourist Board; Juan Carlos Garcia Granda, Minister of Tourism of Cuba; Lessner Gomez, Director of the Cuba Tourist Board; Héctor Igarza, Cuba’s Ambassador to Canada; Yanier Castellanos, Consul General of Cuba in Toronto; Pilar de la Caridad Alvarez, Marketing Director Mintur

Cuba is a place to be in 2023. 

By Kateryna Ivchenko