Cuba bets on a sightseeing sustainable and harmonious with the environment, and is implementing measures for its development, Island authorities assured this Monday.
During an event on the subject, Elba Rosa Pérez, Cuban Minister of Science, Technology and Environment, considered that the tourism sector cannot be understood only as an income generator, but that “it is essential in defining guidelines for a future sustainable and resilient”, reports the Cuban News Agency (ACN).
The appointment, which had as its motto “for sightseeing for all generations”, met at the Iberostar Selection Varadero Hotel, and served as a prelude to the International Tourism Fair (FitCuba) that will be held from this Tuesday until the 7th in this renowned Cuban resort.
At the meeting, which was also attended by the Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero, and the head of the sector, Juan Carlos García Granda, Pérez recognized the importance of the sector for the country’s economic development and maintained that Cuba has “potential” to enhance its practice. sustainable.
the headline @ElbaRosaPM He concluded his speech by stating that #Cuba?? has opportunities to achieve the future growth of the #Sustainable tourism from strengthening alliances between both sectors.#Climate change #SDG pic.twitter.com/E8xOYbdzYy
— ECOVALUE (@ECOVALUE4) May 2, 2022
Among the actions that are already being undertaken in this direction, the minister mentioned the demolition of permanent structures on the dunes and the increase in shaded areas in the sand strip and public spaces. However, she recognized “pending issues” such as placing photovoltaic solar panels on roofs or parking lots and developing bioclimatic architecture, according to the agency. EFE.
The head of the Environment stated that the measures taken to move towards the “new concept” of sustainability are part of the state plan “Tarea Vida”, a government strategy launched in 2017 to mitigate the effects of climate change on the Caribbean island .
The event was attended by regional authorities, such as Rodolfo Sabonge, Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States, experts, businessmen and tour operators, and during it issues related to climate change, the impact of hurricanes, the conservation of beaches , waste management and energy efficiency, linked to the tourism sector.
Before the pandemic, tourism represented the second economic activity in Cuba, behind the sale of professional services abroad, and contributed close to 10% of the gross domestic product (GDP). It also employed approximately half a million people in the state sector and a high percentage of workers in the private sector.
After the closure forced by COVID-19, Cuba reopened trips from abroad last November and foresees a progressive recovery of the sector. The island government expects to receive 2.5 million international visitors in 2022 and enter some 1,159 million dollars (1,012 million euros), he recalls. EFE, forecasts that have not been modified despite the impact of the war in Ukraine, which has affected Russian tourism.
EFE / OnCuba
