Cuba for more tourism despite US blockade pitfalls
Havana, Cuba. – Tourism is a dynamizing factor of the Cuban economy: wherever on the Island it is and flourishes, there will be development for all.
That concept set the tone for the discussions that took place this week with the presence of the Cuban President, Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, during the Check-up Meeting of the Tourism Program.
We should not lose sight, reflected the Head of State, of everything that this sector contributes to the economy and society in the country; in addition to being a bridge, because in each tourist who visits us, he said, the clauses of the imperial blockade are being broken. “That’s why we have to defend it, that’s why we have to make it more efficient,” he emphasized.
To be fair, it will be necessary to talk more about the positive social impact of tourism, as well as the importance of the sector in many of the decisions that are taken, day by day, with a vision of a nation.
The minister of Tourism, Manuel Marrero Cruz said that to date, 2,81 rooms have been completed this year, so that, at the end of June, the country had 72,965 rooms. By the end of 2019, 4,197 new rooms are expected to be added – 97 percent of them in 26 new hotels, while the remaining three percent are extensions.
The Real Estate Development Program foresees the execution of 13 new projects; and with respect to the Recreation Development Program, the goal is to conclude seven projects, with special emphasis on those that have been conceived in the context of the 500 years of Havana.
The agenda of this second program also includes starting the projection of a theme park in the Canímar River, in the province of Matanzas, while preparing the works to be executed in 2020 with a view to the Varadero Tourism Fair (such as the El Quijote recreational park and the Varadero boulevard).
Regarding the Tourism Nautical Development Program, the minister commented that in 2019 work will continue on the integral recovery of the Hemingway Marina, as well as preparing the recovery of the Chapelín nautical base in Varadero. The purpose is to improve several marinas, nautical points and specialized equipment, the facilities of the marina Tarará are also in a program that aims to restore such spaces.
No less important is the Program for Nature Development, about which, as detailed by the owner, it is planned to complete 20 constructive actions by 2019, including the farms in the Valley of the Ingenios, in Trinidad, the second stage of implementation of the hotel Segundo Frente, in the province of Santiago de Cuba, the modernization of the tourist complex Guanabito (in Playas del Este), and the start of works for a hotel in front of the National Zoo.
In offering information on the Campsite Development Program, Marrero Cruz highlighted that investments are being prepared to recover, repair and improve several recreational facilities, within which the Northern Coast of Mayabeque is a priority.
President Díaz-Canel Bermúdez commented on the idea that, where there are possibilities, the option of the day pass is included, always taking into account the capacities of each place, so as not to strain or overload the services.
Regarding the Program for the development of supporting entities, the participants in the Checking Meeting were able to learn that 19 projects are planned, consisting mostly of technological improvements and the expansion of logistics capabilities, laundries, bakeries, ice cream factories, and attention to natural resources and housing in the provinces of Matanzas, Ciego de Ávila and Holguín.
Regarding the Non-State Tourism Program, Manuel Marrero Cruz reported that 27,814 freelance workers are authorized to carry out this activity. Among other data, it was reported that the 17,805 renters authorized to collect in CUC operate 26,224 rooms.
The current scenario incorporates, as stated by the head, the Cultural Tourism Program, for which it works in conjunction with the Ministry of Culture with a view to diversifying the offer of the tourist destination.
We have thought about the development of new accommodation capacities in heritage buildings and cities, whose spaces have close links with cultural facilities; and we already have, on the horizon, the rescue of international cultural events that marked milestones in showing the world the best of our art.
(Taken from Radio Reloj in Spanish)
Written by Radio Grito de Baire
