The event started “in a big way” and could already be considered a success, according to the Cuban head of government, since more than 5,200 participants from 53 countries are attending, the highest number of all previous editions of the event, when the Covid-19 pandemic did not threaten the performance of the leisure industry.

For us, this fair is very important, Marrero said, because it is an expression of what could be the reactivation of tourism, a process that may not be going as fast as desired, but there is confidence that progress is being made towards the normality required by the economy of Cuba.

The Prime Minister thanked the heads of Tourism of Venezuela, Mexico and Argentina, tour operators, travel agents, businessmen and other people linked to the sector, and in particular those who have bet on the country despite the U.S. economic blockade, and those who bravely faced pressures and sanctions from Washington.

He assured that Cuba will continue to resist and develop, and will always be a free and safe country.

In his words, he commented on the country’s actions to control the pandemic, which allows assuring that Cuba is currently a safe destination; also the economic and social strategy for the development of Cuba and a group of measures in the agricultural sector and for the advancement of foreign investment, among others.

In this regard, the Minister of Tourism pointed out that there are 106 business opportunities in this branch, linked to management contracts, nature products, parks and leisure options.

Cuba has 77,809 rooms available in the country, more than 70 percent of which have Internet connection through Wi-Fi, a service that should be expanded.

Garcia explained to those present the benefits of the Cuban product, which in addition to excellent beaches and beautiful cities, with numerous heritage sites, has a vast culture, wide progress in health and biotechnology, an exuberant nature, it is a place where different tourist modalities can be developed.

The governor of the province of Matanzas , Mario Sabines, welcomed the tourist pole of Varadero, the country’s main sun and beach destination, to which the fair is dedicated.

After the inauguration, the president toured some of the exhibition spaces, while the prime minister visited the exhibits of state and private tourism suppliers.

ef/afl/mem/kmg