MIAMI, United States. — In the midst of the worst economic and energy crisis so far this century, the Cuban regime launched yesterday the International Tourism Fair (FITCuba 2023), which seeks to relaunch the Caribbean country as a tourist destination.
The opening remarks of the event —which is based at the Morro-Cabaña complex— were given by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, who wanted to convey a message of optimism to businessmen and tour operators from dozens of countries.
In his words, the senior official emphasized the potential of the sector, whose development will contribute “to improve the living conditions of our people.”
“Do not harbor the slightest doubt that Cuba will never turn its back on you and that participating in the development of Cuban tourism is contributing to improving the living conditions of our people,” said Marrero.
According to the regime, “Cuba has shown many times that it has the capacity to overcome great challenges, however difficult they may be.
“I reiterate the security of developing competitive tourism, because Cuba is unique,” insisted the official, who for many years served as Minister of Tourism in the Caribbean country.
Marrero maintained that Cuban tourism faces difficulties derived from the COVID-19 pandemic and the US embargo, which “impacted the normal development” of the sector.
Despite the constant investments in hotels and tourist infrastructure, Cuban economists consulted by the EFE Agency they see the 3.5 million international visitors projected by the regime as impossible due to the serious economic crisis that the island is going through.
Last year Cuba received 1.6 million international travelers, below the goal of 1.7 million.
At the end of February 2023, the arrival of 489,000 foreign visitors to Cuba, of which 252,650 came from Canada. This is a discreet figure considering that it corresponds to the so-called high season, coinciding with winter in the northern hemisphere.
