More than 2,000 people from 110 countries, including professionals from the sector, cigar aficionados, journalists, business people and other connoisseurs of the global cigar industry are taking part in the meeting, where they debate and attend tastings and tours (from February 27 to March 3).

Among the main voices consulted by Prensa Latina is the recently appointed co-president of the international corporation Habanos S.A., Maritza Carrillo, who said that in 2022, Cuba’s cigar sales represented the driving force of the country’s economy (her appointment was announced on February 20).

With a degree in International Economic Relations, she joined the company from the beginning of her career, worked in the marketing and trade areas, in addition to serving as a distributor abroad in Portugal and managing companies such as Comercial Iberoamericana S.A. (Coiba)-Spain.

She recalled that the productive stoppage caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the low levels of tourism due to the same reason constituted a difficulty, while the tobacco sector, despite problems, continued its progress and received the attention of many Premium cigar aficionados in the world, hence the relevance of this sector.

According to Habanos S.A. Commercial Vice President Jorge Perez, the importance of this Festival for distributors and consumers is the presentation of new products for 2023, including Partagas’s exclusive Master Line.

Regarding the Festival, the General Manager of the British firm Hunter and Frankau, Jemma Freeman, was pleased to participate in the meeting, which she has been attending for several years, as she considered the event an opportunity both to smoke good Cuban cigars and keep abreast of current market trends.

She pointed out that Havana cigars are a legend and new consumers understand the difference and distinction of this type of product.

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