The Cuba Tourism Board upbeat about Canadian arrivals
The Cuba Tourism Board wants to reassure travel agents that their clients will enjoy Cuba vacations, with the blackouts and hurricane damage the island had to contend with this fall having been rectified. Lessner Gomez, director of the tourist board’s Toronto office, told a recent Toronto audience that those in Cuban tourism remain upbeat, despite the earlier setbacks.
“This 2024 has been a difficult year for our country… but despite the challenges we continue to move forward,” Gomez told a large group of agents at an event that also featured many Cuba suppliers.
“We cannot tell you how deeply grateful we are for your support,” Gomez’s colleague Nieves Ricardo added.
A major blackout earlier this year drew international attention but tour operators on hand for the Toronto event expressed confidence in the destination, with Air Canada Vacations’ Dina Bertolo praising efforts by the Cuban government, which “did their best to ensure the well-being of our clients who were in the destination” when the disruptions occurred.
Hola Sun’s Hugo Rocha said the earlier negative publicity did cut into Hola Sun bookings, which are around 5% to 7% below what they were at this time last year. But an upside is that those who are going are opting for more upscale hotels, and so Hola Sun revenue is actually ahead of where it was this time last year in terms of revenue, he said. “People are booking higher-end hotels because they want peace of mind.” Rocha said those visiting Cuba now will find that “everything is operating normally.”
Roberto Diaz of Cuban tourism firm Gaviota in turn said that “everything’s working,” with Gaviota having 110 hotels, three-quarters managed by foreign hotel companies. Diaz said tourism is all-important to the Cuban economy and so the government is determined to keep it running efficiently. “We make sure that for winter everything is ready,” he added.
Gomez said Canadians are drawn to his homeland by its “pristine beaches and friendly people”, while adding its “charms remain as attractive as ever.”
This winter season will see Cuba receive more than 4,000 flights from 21 Canadian gateways, with those flights arriving in Varadero, Jardines del Rey, Santa Clara, Cienfuegos, Holguin, Manzanillo, and Cayo Largo. Sunwing will have a new flight to Camaguey, a World Heritage Site. The route will serve hotels in Santa Lucia area, which Gomez praised for having an outstanding beach with outstanding scuba diving.
Gomez also praised the city of Trinidad for its historic nature and culture. The city — which also has World Heritage Site status — can be compared to a museum because of its history, he stated. Canadian visitations up to October were similar to 2023 but as of Nov. 12 were at 97% compared to the same period last year, with the slight decrease blamed on the recent disruptions.
“Dealing with hurricanes is part of living in the Caribbean and Cuba has in place protocols that have been proven very efficient over and over, all customers in the affected areas were protected and all the services were guaranteed, all the airports were open and operational, except the ones in the Western part of Cuba that were in the path of Hurricane Rafael, which were closed for 24 hours as a precaution. Once the hurricane passed, they returned to normalcy,” Gomez said.
“The glitch in the national electric system as a result of the hurricane was solved immediately and today 100% of the tourist facilities have electrical services connected to the national system,” Gomez continued.
Meanwhile, Gomez noted his country is broadening its hotel inventory, with Sanctuary White Sands added to Blue Diamond’s all-inclusive, adults-only portfolio. The Cayo Cruz hotel is the first stand-alone Sanctuary Resort on that island..
The Resonance Musique Cayo Santa Maria marks the debut of Resonance Hotels, the first of eight Resonance Hotels scheduled to open on Dec. 1. The new Resonance hotels are located across Varadero, Cayo Santa María, Santa Lucia, and Marea del Portillo, and each destination will feature two unique experiences: a Resonance Blu and a Resonance Musique hotel. Resonance Blu is suited for those seeking tranquility, while Resonance Musique is for “guests who crave vibrant energy. This new adults-only concept is an innovative product tailored for young travellers seeking unforgettable adventures.”
New in Varadero is Grand Aston Varadero Hotel, while Holguin has gained the Sierra Cristal Hotel, found next to the Grand Memories Holguin in the Ramon de Antillas area, while the Grand Muthu Ensenada, is a five-star hotel scheduled to open in January with 482 rooms, and will be located next to the Sol Playa Turquesa in a “very picturesque and pristine beach, just few minutes from the beaches of Playa Pesquero and Guardalavaca Beach.”
The Iberostar Selection La Habana is scheduled to open in Havana by the end of this year and will be the tallest building in Havana with 42 floors. “It’s pure sophistication, modern, slick, with lavish facilities. It’s in the heart of modern Havana,” Gomez said.
The Corona Hotel is also scheduled to open in Havana by the end of this year and will be in Old Havana, next to the cruise terminal. “This hotel is a gem where they respect the heritage on the outside but inside, they welcome modernity,” Gomez reported.
The Gran Muthu Habana has decided to add a second tower. It is located in the Miramar area and is seen as suited for meetings and corporate travellers.
Gomez reported that all airports in Cuba have internet access, it’s becoming easier to enter and exit the country, and airport VIP lounges have been expanded and offer an elevated experience.
This winter will see more new rental cars, new buses, catamarans and excursion Jeeps and will see catamaran tours have Internet service for clients on-board “so they can share their experience while enjoying their vacation.”
Gomez noted his island celebrates events and festivals throughout the year, some of them becoming very popular, such as the Havana Jazz Festival, Santiago de Cuba Fire Festival, the Havana Cigar Festival, Cayo Santa Maria Music Festival and Destinos Gaviota. “No less important is the Cuba International Tourism fair, which will be held next year in Havana, and all the Canadian travel trade community got invited,” Gomez reported.
Gomez said the tourist board will continue to support travel advisors with fam trips,and noted The Cuba Travel Specialist program is up and running.
