Cuba. ONCE IS NOT ENOUGH

Posted on 06/01/2016 | About Cuba

‘The time to visit Cuba is now!’ That’s Melia Resorts new ad, and is it ever true. People who say,“I went to Cuba once, or twice and know all about it,” make me laugh. I’ve been at least 50 times I think, and every time there is something new, and I certainly don’t know all about it. Sometimes I don’t even know the questions to ask.

This trip I flew Cubana Air, on time and a great flight. We flew home on Sunwing Air, again a good trip and on time. Canada was the guest of honour at the 36th annual FITCuba conference and trade show. This year’s edition of the Fair was devoted to Culture and highlighted the special nature of Cuba’s plastic arts, music and craftsmanship, as well as other cultural aspects. There were over 1000 wholesalers, hotel executives, and tour operators attending the show including 170 journalists from around the world. Canada set a record in arrivals with 1.3 million passengers in 2015, and that was 40 percent of all arrivals, making us the #1 tourists. This fair was the biggest ever. “Cuba has had seventy years of uninterrupted diplomatic relations with Canada, a testament of a relationship of respect and friendliness between Canada and Cuba. That manifests especially vividly in the fact that Canadians have made Cuba one of their top three tourist destinations in the world. Most importantly, Cuba takes this opportunity to reiterate that the country has always been and will continue to be loyal to its traditional partners and friends, those who gave them a hand when they needed it most, and will remain true to its principles, values and identity.” said Eloy Govea, director for Canada of the Cuban Tourist Board.

“And most important, we do have lots of beer.” The Minister of Tourism Manuel Marrero Cruz welcomed the participants to the opening that took place in the gorgeous newly renovated Gran Teatro del LaHabana “Alicia Alonso.” The theatre reopened on January 1st, 2016 and was renamed to honour the Cuban prima ballerina Alicia Alonso. Guests were treated to an evening of examples of Cuba’s musical heritage, and performing arts with renowned Cuban artistic groups. It was a beautiful show.

Canadian Minister of Tourism, Bardish Chagger, gave a presentation. For the first time, the tradeshow opened the gates of the Morro-Cabana Fairgrounds for the Cuban public to pay a visit, said Pilar Alvarez, president of OSDE Viajes Cuba. All Cuban tourism-related companies showed their products. This year, there is lots new in Havana, even though I was there late last year. On my first day I set out to reconnect. First and foremost, the paint salespeople have been, and the ancient buildings look fabulous painted up. No, there are still buildings that haven’t had a lick of paint in more than 50 years, but there are many that have been done up in the last year. Locals told me they have the Pope and President Obama to thank for this. Walk down most side streets in old Havana, and you’ll see all the Reno’s being done. The buildings are being turned into boutique hotels, restaurants, and even office buildings all restored to their former splendour. There had to be 10 times more cafes open, looking festive with new umbrellas, and smiling waiters playing their guitars between orders. Cuba tourism minister Manuel Marrero thanked Canadians, and said his government, “will always be thankful” to Canada.

“We will never abandon those who were always by its side.” Knowing that Canadians are worried about sharing their beloved Cuba with Americans, he said Canadians won’t be threatened, Havana is the only place that is really busy, and remember the American embargo means that American tourists must fit one of 12 categories, to be able to travel there, and enjoying themselves on a beach is not one of them. Monday May 2nd, the Fathom sailed in, bringing 700 Americans for the first time in40 years. You certainly could tell them apart. When I saw them, they were wearing round stickers with numbers on them, to represent their group and gathered around their tour leader who was talking about the statue, while the Americans looked longingly at the wonderful cars, and the café’s. The waterfront was all ready for company, and more old cars then I’ve ever seen in Havana were spotless and waiting to drive the tourists around. Cubans came down to the waterfront in the hundreds to welcome the ship.

The waterfront is looking wonderful with the old warehouses turned into craft shops, beer restaurants, and museums with new walkways joining them. Speaking of museums, there are 70 in Havana. Also new was the American flag added to the other flags flying outside the hotels. We saw a lot of kids on skateboards, and even tattoos on the locals, and it seemed as though every Cuban had a cell phone. Cuban Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz at a luncheon for Canadians participating in FITCuba said, “We know we have to improve quality, and quality in all services are a priority. We know we had less Canadians last winter and we need to know why.”

When your clients find out how many celebrities are flocking to Cuba, they’ll be booking too. We actually stumbled on the Kardashian family filming one of their reality shows in the Rum Museum. It was a big treat yet again, to revisit lovely Havana. An industry guru said “ This is going to be the most beautiful city in the world in the future. There aren’t just a few streets with stunning buildings, the whole city is a treasure, and yes it is going to change. “