The 41st edition of the International Tourism Fair, FitCuba 2023, was officially inaugurated this Monday in the Morro-Cabaña historical park in Havana, where most of its program of activities will take place until May 5.
The organizers confirmed that 573 international tour operators attend the event, in addition to representatives of 51 hotel chains and the same number of airlines, according to a note posted by official website Cubadebate.
The city of #Havanajoyful and fraternal, receives the participants in #FITCuba2023wishing them success during their journeys in #Cuba ??#May 1 pic.twitter.com/C7bU3V869Q
— Juan Carlos Garcia Granda (@JuannCarlosGG) May 1, 2023
This is the first Tourism Fair to be held in the Cuban capital since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and is dedicated to culture and heritage.
The report adds that the event began with the traditional cannon shot ceremony at the fortress of San Carlos de la Cabaña, whose welcoming words were given by the governor of Havana, Reinaldo García Zapata.
“They go to Cuba and Havana in extraordinary circumstances marked by the crisis caused by the covid-19 pandemic and the blockade of the United States. Despite this, they will enjoy the customs, habits and traditions that distinguish us, ”he told those present at the ceremonial act.
The head of the Ministry of Tourism (Mintur), Juan Carlos García Granda, assured that Cuba is an exceptional tourist destination, with a rich history and heritage, a vibrant culture and impressive natural beauty, adds the publication.
In turn, Manuel Marrero Cruz, Cuban Prime Minister, thanked the trust placed in the country and said that attention will continue to be given to the work carried out by tour operators and businessmen so that people travel to the Island and enjoy the benefits of the country.
The head of government added that despite the difficult circumstances, the main investments in the sector did not stop, due to its role in the economic development of the country and the well-being of the population.
The Government of the island intends that the fair contributes to promote the recovery of tourism, taking into account the opportunities it offers for the promotion of the tourist attractions of the archipelago and the negotiation of businesses.
This is an essential step to alleviate the acute economic crisis that the country is experiencing, aggravated in recent years by the impact of the pandemic, the sanctions imposed by the US administration and the scant effect of the measures taken internally to overcome the complex situation.
Cuba has fixed reach 3.5 million international tourists in 2023although the authorities of the sector have recognized that it is a difficult goal taking into account the moment the nation is experiencing, and that it has had an impact on the quality of the services offered.
During a balance of tourist activity last year, the Mintur confirmed that in that period the island received 64.6% of the 2.5 million planned tourists. This, in turn, represents 37.8% of those who did so in 2019 and a growth of 4.5 times compared to 2021.
Nor was the sector’s income plan met, which reached up to 74% of what was expected, which represented only 36.2% of what was entered in 2019.
