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world travel market Excel London 09 - 12 november International Tourism Publication founded in 1996 year IX • number 186 • november 2009

Edition Europa

www.traveltradecaribbean.com

ISSN 1724 - 5370

Poste italiane Spa - Sped. in Abb. Post. D.L. 353/2003 Conv. in L. 27/02/2004, n◦ 46 Art. 1 comma 1, DCB Milano - Prezzo per copia EURO 0,25

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Cubana’s 80 Years

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Saratoga Hotel

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Cuba at Top Resa

New Cubana LondonHolguín-Havana Route With the aim of expanding its connections with Europe and promoting arrivals of visitors from the old continent and especially the United Kingdom,

Occidental Miramar’s 10 Years Two powerful reasons led Mr. Juan Candeal, director general of the Occidental Miramar, to give TTC an interview: the commemoration of the hotel’s 10th anniversary on November 1, and the fact that “British tourism is still one of our principal markets,” according to him.

Continued on page 8

United Kingdom Cuba’s second tourist market At the close of August 2009, the British market was still Cuba’s second – after Canada – followed, in this order, by Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Mexico, Argentina, Russia and the Netherlands.

The figures reported for the January-August period registered 119,120 UK tourist arrivals, representing 6.9% of the total of arrivals.

Continued on page 2

New opening Iberostar Laguna Azul

The Gaviota S.A. Tourism Group and Iberostar Hotels & Resorts have announced the opening of the new Iberostar Laguna Azul Hotel. This five-star installation, located

by the shore in the beautiful Varadero beach resort, will operate under the All-Inclusive modality under the standards of Iberostar.

Continued on page 2

a new commercial air route was recently inaugurated that covers the London-Holguín-Havana itinerary, operated by Cubana Airlines.

Continued on page 2

TTC interviews Abe Moore SuperClubs Vice President of Operations

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Dominican Republic Wants to 14 Conquer Central Europe Quintana Roo: Best Tourist Center in North and Central America

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travel trade caribbean • year IX number 186

2 From page one - United Kingdom...

From page one - New Cubana London-Holguín-Havana Route

This market is very important for Cuba, as well as its historic condition of being the second issuer, since it has great stability during the summer season when other issuers tend to decrease.

The London-Holguín-Havana route begins with a weekly flight on Wednesdays. Cuba’s flagship airline uses for this regular flight modern IL 96s with a seating capacity for 258 passengers and latest generation Russian technology, in addition to other incorporated comforts.

It is a landmark since it fosters a direct link between both countries – a nine-hour trip with total security and comfort.

These Cubana Airlines flights’ stopover at the Frank

País International Airport in the eastern city of Holguín favors the increase of British tourists who wish to enjoy the attractions of this tourist destination, the third in Cuba, which stands out for its natural beauty, refreshing beach resorts and a comfortable hotel network with more than 4,400 rooms.

After Canada, the UK is the principal tourist market in this territory.

In 2009 this distinctive trait has been ratified, a rather stable seasonal performance, since it doesn’t feature the abrupt seasonal peaks of the majority of the issuers, according to data by Cuba’s National Office of Statistics.

From page one - New opening: Iberostar Laguna Azul

This is the Majorcan hotel company’s sixth establishment in Cuba. It has 814 rooms, of which 24 are suites, 82 are connected doubles and eight are especially designed for the handicapped.

Moreover, the Laguna Azul will have multiple sports installations to practice from tennis and archery to windsurfing and water polo.

The hotel is equipped with six swimming pools, two of them for children.

Win3Nights in Varadero

The Iberostar chain pointed out that the new establishment’s gastronomic offer is very varied, since its buffets offer show cooking and it has four restaurants: Japanese, Cuban, gourmet and Italian.

The Contest Already Has its Winners…

Citizens from Cuba, the UK and Mexico were the winners in the Win3Nights in Varadero on-line contest Sol Meliá Cuba carried out through the Facebook social utility.

More than 2,200 cyberspace travelers participated in the contest, which lasted from June 5 to October 4. Available in English, Spanish, French and German, Win3Nights in Varadero also covered campaigns in Google, Yahoo, MIVA and TripAdvisor.Boris Ernesto Barber Velis (Cuba),

Susan Parsons (UK) and Lissette Prekop Jasso (Mexico), in that order, won the contest’s three prizes, which consist in two free stays for two persons in Varadero. The first prizewinner will enjoy a stay at the Paradisus Princesa del Mar, the second at the Meliá Varadero and the third at the Sol Palmeras.

Sol Palmeras

Address: Via Galileo Galilei, 47 20092 Cinisello Balsamo, Mi • Tel: 02 36649575 • Fax: 02 36649576 • Mail: redazione.italia@traveltradecaribbean.com / commerciale.it@gmail.com • Printer: Officina Grafica S.R.L. Via Della Meccanica, 8 Vigano Di Gaggiano 20083, mi Honorary President Renzo Druetto • Principal Director Giuseppe Ferraris • Director Alfredo Rodriguez - director@traveltradecaribbean.com • Editorial Staff for Italy Tiziana Settanni • Editorial Staff for Cuba Josefina Pichardo - redaccion@traveltradecaribbean.com • Photo Reporter Hairo Rodriguez hairo.rodriguez@traveltradecaribbean.com • Digital News Services Hairo Rodriguez / Frank Martin • Desing Jesus Rodriguez ( Junior ) - jesus.rodriguez@ traveltradecaribbean.com • Webmaster Hairo Rodriguez • Collaboration and Marketing Ana Cecilia Herrera - anac@traveltradecaribbean.com / Maria E. Leyva - mariae.leyva@traveltradecaribbean.com / Orlando Ojeda - orlando.ojeda@traveltradecaribbean.com / Magdalena García - magda@enet.cu / Mercedes Guillot • Email italia@traveltradecaribbean.com • Web site http://www.traveltradecaribbean.com • News Office for the Caribbean La Habana, Cuba / ttc. cuba@traveltradecaribbean.com • Contact and Information info@traveltradecaribbean.com Registered at the Milan Court under the number 166. 13/03/2002 ^Publicity 45%. Property of Travel Trade Caribbean S.R.L. Registry date at the Chamber of Commerce 08/01/2001.

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travel trade caribbean • year IX number 186

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Paradisus Resorts Enhances Comfort in Cuba Paradisus Varadero and Paradisus Río de Oro hotels will soon have their Royal Service areas, one of the best spaces for personalized attention that provides its guests with unprecedented privacy. The Royal Service at the Paradisus Varadero and the Paradisus Río de Oro, in Holguín, will be

TV set, Bali bed on the terrace, outdoor Bali shower and kingsize beds. The Royal Service at the two hotels will also form part of their exclusive Garden Villas, of which the Paradisus Río de Oro has two in operation, while the Paradisus Varadero has one, and another is currently

and direct access to the beach.

Some of the facilities and courtesies of the Royal Service include butler service, a parlor with VIP reception, private barrestaurant, exclusive swimming

feature individual pavilions and suites for couples with Jacuzzis, palm shelters on the shore, hydrothermal circuit installations, room for relaxation, swimming pools with jets of

Paradisus Río de Oro

Paradisus Varadero set up in a special area of the hotels and will include 80 and 54 new Master Junior Suites, respectively. Each one will cover an area of 80 square meters on the shore and will include a parlor, bedroom, large bathroom with hydro massage, entrance hall, closet dressing room, LCD

under construction. The Garden Villas are chalet-style cabanas with a classical colonial design and special services, and have an outdoor Jacuzzi with a view to the sea, terraces, garden with a thatched-roof breakfast spot, private swimming pool, a lookout tower, and exclusive

pool, beach and swimming pool concierge, pillow menus and aromatic experiences, minibar with Premium beverages, free access to the Internet and deluxe amenities. The Paradisus Varadero will also open a modern Spa with the first yang tsu swimming pool in Cuba, in which water massages will be given, since the water is hypersalty and will enable people’s bodies to float on their own. Its facilities

water, treatments with Cuban aromas and flavors, professional products, certified therapists, beauty parlor and gym with instructor.

Therefore, the messages respond to the link between

country’s goals, commitments and traditions, to the increasingly greater link with the world, to its scientific, economic and social development, and to the solidarity and fraternity among the peoples.

Thus the culture of service and the highest quality continue being identified with the Paradisus Resorts in Cuba, which continue creating the scenario to boost the senses and live unique experiences.

Cubana Airlines Fetes its 80th Anniversary This October 8 Cubana Airlines celebrated its 80th anniversary in the air. Cuba’s flagship airline, one of the first in Latin America and the world, which flies with pride the Cuban flag on its tail, is all decked out and once again tours labyrinths and remote places announcing it is celebrating.

context of the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the

Based on this concept, its slogan was created: “Cubana 80 years for Cuba: because Cuba unites, because Cuba boosts, because Cuba feels, because Cuba believes.”

The commemoration of its 80th anniversary has been focused on the just recognition of its history, its oldest workers, the reencounter. Cubana Airlines in the memory of those who made and make it possible to be celebrating its anniversary with the pride of being Cubans.

The press release issued by the company underlines that the festivities are taking place in the

Cuban Revolution and this transcendental coincidence cannot be overlooked.

Cuba and Cubana. The history of Cubana Airlines is doubtlessly associated to the

Contact: Telephone: (53-7) 2664644 Van Troi Ave and Final José Martí International Airport.

Terminal 1 City of Havana http://www.cubana.cu

travel trade caribbean • november 2009

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Cost Control in Restaurants Cost control and analysis in the restaurant business means the control of the different processes that take place in a restaurant: purchase – reception – storage – butcher’s shop – bar – sale, everything that should have a positive effect on the economic results of the installation, given that if there is an adequate offer, demand has a positive reply to it, and if all the processes in this procedure are properly set in motion, this can represent a factor that will give a boost to the establishment.

Given the aforementioned, it is necessary to go to the details of the operations, which at times

When we speak of cost control we are also referring to other aspects related to management, operational and financial spending, among others, because they are expenditures that should be compensated with the restaurant’s operation incomes, thus we need to know: how much we spent, how much should we have spent, how much more did we spend and what to do to avoid it.

we do not take into account and are sources of waste (in the best of cases) if there is not

Saratoga Hotel Readers’ Awards 2009 According to the results of the Readers’ Awards 2009, which the prestigious British magazine Condé Nast

installations, gastronomy, location, rooms and service, and geographical area. Its publication came out in

Traveller convenes every year, the Saratoga Hotel, of the Habaguanex S.A. Tourist Company, ranked 16th among the 100 best hotels in the category of America and the Caribbean.

October’s edition and can be consulted in its website: http://www.cntraveller.com/

This ranking is the result of the vote by the magazine’s readers, who are asked to nominate their favorite hotel among more than 7,000 put at their consideration, based on parameters of design,

The recognition is in addition to the one also granted by Condé Nast Traveller in 2006, when the Saratoga Hotel ranked 24th in the category, 60 best new hotels in the world, on the Hot List of 2006.

an effective control. The vital points of the entire process are: selection of supplier; order, reception and putting the merchandise in the warehouse; refrigeration and freezing temperatures; lack of control in warehouse and in transportation to the sales outlets; mistakes in the orders to clients and charging the client.

Thus we can say that cost control is of the essence, since it will have an influence on the results of our operation.

Text: Bachelor Rigoberto Fernández Padilla and Master of Science Mario Escalona Serrano, professors of the School of Hospitality Higher Studies and the Faculty of Tourism of the University of Havana.

travel trade caribbean • year IX number 186

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Gran Caribe’s 15th Anniversary Gran Caribe reached its 15th anniversary with 52 hotels and 12,354 rooms in the country’s principal tourist destinations and cities, all-inclusive hotels by the shore of the archipelago’s best beaches and keys, specialized nautical and scuba diving products and interesting proposals for night entertainment.

Eulalia Llópiz Avila, president of Gran Caribe, said that this group “was born on August 1, 1994 to promote and market a mainly four- and five-star hotel product, plus a non-hotel division that complemented our offer in terms of excellence and exclusivity.”

Under the current slogan of “the authentic art of hospitality,” Gran Caribe, according to its president, “has not remained static but rather has become dynamic and has adapted to the demands of the new times.”

More than 11,000 workers – 1,600 founders – is “the company’s most important emblem.

We thank all of them, as well as the service and product suppliers for our hotel industry, the markets and guests contributed by the tour operators, travel agencies and airlines, for having gotten up to here and we also thank them beforehand for their continued support in the future we have ahead of us,” added Eulalia Llópiz.

Hotel Nacional

Cuba at Top Resa Cuba participated in the 31st edition of Top Resa, International French Travel Market (IFTM), with a 45-square-meter stand of the Tourism Office of MINTUR (Ministry of Tourism). Its delegation was headed by Manuel Bisbé, MINTUR marketing director, and made up by representatives of entities such as Cubanacán Travel Agency, Gran Caribe, Cubatur, Gaviota, Havanatur, Habaguanex, San Cristóbal, Sol Meliá Cuba, Iberostar, Accor, Sandals and NH Hoteles, which were joined by representatives of Cuban entities in the market: Tourism Office, Cubana Airlines, Sol y Son and Havanatur Paris.

The Cuban delegation made effective contacts with associates and interlocutors with the aim of consolidating the strategy of showing French clients Cuba’s benefits as a tourist destination, consolidating the existing operations with a view to the 2009-2010 winter season and implementing new marketing and communication actions that will have a bearing on the increase of French tourist arrivals to the island.

The most important part of the tourist fair held in France designed for the professional public took place in the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Park in Paris and welcomed a total of 22,880 visitors.

46%; hotels and restaurants, 19%; airlines, 7%; French

new technologies and services, 16%. Eleven percent of the

In a communiqué released by its organizers, it was reported that 1,200 trade brands distributed in 315 stands were present, taking up 27,000 square meters of the 7.2 pavilion.

visitors were foreigners from 138 nations (93% from the European community).

There was a strong representation of all the tourism sectors: tourism offices and foreign tour operators,

regions and professionals, 4%; associations, unions and institutions, 3%; transportation companies, the press, networks,

The objectives of the visits: business tourism, 24%; business travel, 23%; and pleasure travel 53%. There was an especially strong presence of visitors from distribution networks such as: Afat Voyages, 10%; Thomas Cook, 9%; Tourcom, 8%; Selectour, 8%; Carlson Wagon Lit, 5%; Manor, 4%; CEDIV, 2%, and HAVAS Voyage, 2%.

travel trade caribbean • year IX number 186

8 From page one - Occidental Miramar’s 10 Years

Candeal, in your opinion, what characterizes the Occidental Miramar?

thus manage an internationally renowned product, with a very good short-term projection, in the sense that reforms are going to be made, such as modernizing the gym to turn it into a spa and condition the 5th floor for executives and the 4th as a club. Thus, services that present-day travelers need, especially those involved in business tourism, will be facilitated.

What mainly characterizes it is the quality of its services, its location and its installations. It has become established in these last 10 years, which is the time it has been in operation, as a fourstar hotel with quality services and modern installations; and with possibilities that are very appreciated by companions, group and circuit tourism.

How are the hotel’s indicators performing?

The year 2008 was the best in all its years of operation; we had an upward trend that made us presume that in 2009 we could have good results, and that’s how it was, until April, when we reached a record occupation rate. However, May was very affected, apart from the world situation, by the cancellation of flights in Mexico; approximately 20% of our guests come from there, not just Mexicans but other markets

That is, it is among the first in the statistics of travelers’ opinions.

It is very well viewed by local and foreign tour operators; we

that enter through that country.

We began recovering in July; July and August have been typical months of the low

choosing our hotel. We have the only Japanese groups that stay in Havana, in a global way, throughout the year. They

season. As we see it, October is going to have the same projection as in 2008, that is, it won’t be a bad year. We are very satisfied, since we have had the backing of tour operators and guests’ loyalty, which has

have a rather notable presence.

Even so, British tourism is still one of our principal markets.

allowed us to get around the adverse situation we are all facing with plenty of solvency.

high-quality tourism, which is the segment of the Cayo Ensenachos Royal Hideaway Hotel, one of the best in the island. The Miramar hopes to be the base in the capital for tourists who are going to stay there.

Which are your principal markets?

The principal market depends on the season, but Latin America is outstanding, way above other more traditional markets.

The European markets are rather depressed, not in business, events or professional tourism, but in overnight stays and circuits.

However, we have had the surprise, or rather the result of the work we have been doing, about the preference for the Occidental Hotels in Latin America…a growth in Colombia, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, which are

Projections…

As part of the Occidental group, we are betting a great deal on

Creating the conditions here with the investments I was referring to previously, already approved and with financing, favors the assimilation of that type of tourism; this makes us think that we are going to grow. Moreover, we have plans for the modernization of the Occidental Miramar, even turning it into a five-star hotel.

We are devoting our attention to our hotel in Varadero, which will be of great help and is in our line with Gaviota, our partner here in the island.

travel trade caribbean • november 2009

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Varahicacos

New Tourist Attraction in Cuba

Ecotourism in Varadero Through the Southern Thruway of the famous Varadero beach resort, on kilometer 14, the Varahicacos Ecological Reserve spreads out, providing new tourist-recreational opportunities with absolute respect for the environment’s ecological integrity and biodiversity.

Covering an area of approximately 30,000 hectares, which include a marine part, adjacent keys’

Limones-Tuabaquey Ecological Reserve

surface strips and Varahicacos’ land area, it is a site with a great wealth of vertebrate fauna, specifically in terms of reptiles and birds, especially migratory.

The Varahicacos Ecological Reserve’s conservation efforts are in harmony with the tourist attributes of the Varadero destination… a place where ecotourism is compatible with the primary objectives of conservation, sustainability and meeting the current demand for this type of tourism.

The Limones-Tuabaquey Ecological Reserve, in the Sierra de Cubitas, emerges as a nature tourism power in the province of Camagüey.

Its forests are home to some 400 types of plants of more than 300 families – including some 41 orchid species – and close to 10% are endemic.

The Reserve is carrying out seven projects to rescue the ecosystem, since birds such as the tocororo and the cartacuba as well as the jutías and the Santa María snake are in danger of extinction.

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Culture

travel trade caribbean • year IX number 186

Fariñas and His Universe of Fantasies Painter, draftsman and writer, artist José Luis Fariñas (Havana, 1972) has reaped impressive prizes and recognition in Cuba and abroad. which treasures originals by Picasso and Lautrec. His works are in private collections, among them those of John Le Carré, Jay D. Hyman, Gabriel García Márquez, Thiago de Mello, Alicia Alonso, Luis Eduardo Aute, Silvio Rodríguez, Tomás Sánchez, Joaquín Sabina, Carlos Weil, Steven Spielberg and Chucho Valdés.

Fariñas graduated with a Gold Title from the San Alejandro Academy and studied four years at the Higher Institute of Art. He has presented 108 collective and 33 personal exhibitions in Cuba, the United States, Spain, Great Britain, Panama, Mexico, Argentina, Germany, Austria and Japan.

Watercolors and oil paintings by Fariñas form part of collections in the museums Las Américas and Mizel in Denver; Jewish in Boca Ratón; American Jewish in Pittsburg; German Book and Type Museum in Leipzig; LIBER Ediciones in Pamplona,

He has been awarded national and international prizes and distinctions as a visual artist, poet and narrator. Represented in Cuba, the United States, Spain and Central America he has given workshops and lectures at renowned universities.

As advisory editor of The Contemporary Who’s Who of the American Biographical Institute, he has been included in repertoires and has been anthologized

by Stephen Sadow in Hostos Review, New York, and by Salvador Redonet in Cuba, Mexico and the University of Salamanca.

Fariñas has opened a new perspective for his contemporaries.

His mastery of visual arts, especially his refined drawing technique with a loose and precise stroke,

make his brush give detailed expression to the depth of the looks, expressions of the face and the texture of the hair, hands and wings of the creatures represented basically in the gamut of ocher, sienna and sepia, in a white background.

Contact: http://www.farinas-abas.com farinas@cubarte.cult.cu

Favoring Return of Martí Art Galleries in Havana Theater to Havana Nights The Martí Theater is a paradigm of the vernacular in this island. On the corner of Dragones and Zulueta, in Old Havana, its neoclassical building, whose doors closed in 1977, is being restored and rebuilt to recover that symbol of the erected patrimony, a valuable institution from a historic, architectural and cultural perspective. The theater, inaugurated on June 8, 1884 by its builder, the Basque Ricardo Irijoa, was named Martí in 1900.

Images of the Martí’s interiors and its glittering shows, in accordance with that golden age, have made the rounds of the world’s movie theaters in

the Cuban film La bella del Alambra, by Enrique Pineda Barnet.

Its current technical state makes it possible to recover part of the original structure.

The project’s greatest challenges range from the insertion of new techniques and technologies proper of contemporary theaters, lighting, soundproofing, air conditioning and technical booth – which did not exist then. The facades, doors, windows, stained-glass windows, fragments of mural paintings and woodwork are being recovered with extreme rigor, following the traces of the ruins and old photographs.

The Génesis Art Galleries was conceived to nationally and internationally commercialize, represent and promote artistic production. As an exporter and importer before the Chamber of Commerce, Génesis represents the work of visual artists – exclusive or not –, subsidizes artistic projects and authorizes the purchase-sale

procedures, even in galleries that do not belong to the company. Génesis is made up by La Acacia, one of the most renowned institutions of its type in the island; Habana Gallery, La Casona Art Center – includes the Diago and La Casona galleries – and the René Portocarrero Silkscreen Workshop.

travel trade caribbean • november 2009

Rancho La Guabina La Guabina is an equestrian country estate located 10 kilometers from the city of Pinar del Río, set in a peaceful environment of mountains, valleys and a large reservoir.

It is a magnificent site for resting in a discreet and natural environment, or for those who like intense physical activity.

The more than 1,000-hectare country estate is devoted to the breeding of Pinto Cubano and Appaloosa horses, with

11 Marlene@grandslamcuba.com / www.grandslamcuba.com

close to 200 specimens. It has a thatched-roof establishment for lunches, a five-room house and three private bungalows, a restaurant, grill and bar.

•What to do in the estate?

Horseback riding, rowboat or motorboat tours, walks, horse exhibition, rides on horsedrawn carriages, visit to the community. A specialized guide will accompany you on all the activities.

WTO Promotes Sustainable Tourism

Importance of sustainable development highlighted during World Tourism Day. The World Tourism Organization (WTO) underlined the importance of diversity as a driving force behind sustainable tourism, coinciding with the celebration in Accra (Ghana) of the 30th anniversary of

World Tourism Day which is commemorated every September 27, this year under the theme of “Tourism, Celebrating Diversity.”

“We are increasingly more aware of tourism’s role

as an economic activity and of its indisputable potential for creating jobs, contributing income to the states and generating benefits, be it directly or through the effects on the economy. Tourism is a

world sector and, as such, has the responsibility of making its contributions to the entire world in favor of a balanced and sustainable development,” affirmed Taleb Rifai, secretary general a.i. of the WTO.

travel trade caribbean • year IX number 186

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TTC interviews Abe Moore, SuperClubs Vice President of Operations Mr. Moore began his conversation with TTC by saying, “We are going to speak about a subject that is in everyone’s minds: the Americans…. SuperClubs is also positioned in the United States and we hope that some Americans will start coming to Cuba soon.”

“I think it would not be good for us that thousands of Americans come at the same

SuperClubs has been in Cuba for 16 years. It operates three hotels in the island: Breezes Varadero and Breezes Bella Costa in Varadero, and Breezes Jibacoa, at Jibacoa beach, east of the capital. In an interview with TTC, Abe Moore, SuperClubs Vice President of Operations, gave some of his impressions about the presence of the hotel chain in the Caribbean and specifically in Cuba.

he added: “Although Cuba has worked intensely, today we do not have the capacity to receive them massively; logically, in the months of February and March it will be much more difficult, except to the detriment of the already traditional markets.”

When referring to tourist destinations in his opinion, could first to be visited by

When asked if SuperClubs plans to expand its hotels in Cuba, he did not doubt in answering: “In fact, we are holding talks with Cubanacán about the possibility of expanding business here.”

Cuba’s which, be the people

Breezes Jibacoa time, it is preferable that they come little by little or that they come from May to October.

I doubt it, but we hope and we are getting ready for that opening. “But the arrival of

Caribbean Culinary Festival

The 1st Caribbean Culinary Festival has contributed to the region’s heritage by analyzing themes on eating habits and nutrition and traditional foods of the different peoples; as well as in the educational and professional field with the exchange of chefs, cooks, ethnologists, students and

Americans is going to change, of course, the way we do things in Cuba, since this market has other interests, another style of communicating, another need for service, for food, in short, several things we have to really study and be well prepared.”

professors from some 20 nations. During the meeting held in the city of Santiago de Cuba, the Federation of Cuban Culinary Associations decorated with the Culinary Merit Plaque personalities from this sphere in the world: Gissur Gudmundsson, president of the World Association of Chefs Societies; Gerard Dupont, who heads the Culinary Academy of France; and Diego Silva, president of the Association of Gastronomic Restaurant Workers of the Americas. David Tauber, rector of the University of Potzland, Poland, was also distinguished.

from the United States, he listed “the area of Varadero, since it is already very well known; Havana, of course; and perhaps Santiago de Cuba or Trinidad.” Regarding this

Subsequently, in order to highlight the markets that preferably opt for SuperClubs, Mr. Moore said: “Mainly Canada, we are strong in Canada; we have a big office there. In fact, SuperClubs was born by working in Canada, but when the Americans began visiting our hotels, and since the Americans pay much more, the numbers for these markets began to change.

Just taking into account other hotels in the Caribbean, an average of 75% of our clients are Americans…although the European markets, mainly Great Britain and Germany, also have a high incidence,” he concluded.

Viva Cuba Road Show Through Eastern Europe The Viva Cuba tourist road show toured eight Eastern European countries with the participation of tour operators, travel agencies and airlines. The tour began on September 29 in the city Warsaw and included Budapest, Bucharest, Sofia, Zagreb, Belgrade and Bratislava.

Representatives of Cuban and associated foreign entities

such as Cubatur, Havanatur, Gran Caribe, Habaguanex, Iberostar and Sol Meliá participated in the road show on board a bus especially designed with images of the Viva Cuba campaign.

A video illustrating each one of the island’s tourist areas was presented during the exhibitions, and the public enjoyed a musical show and Cuban cocktails.

travel trade caribbean • november 2009

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Guamá Havanatur Travel Agency in Spain Carries Out Training and Annual Updating Trip Like every year, Guamá Havanatur, a specialist in the Cuba destination, carries out its training trip: a team

opportunity of participating in the activities of TURNAT 2009, verifying the beauty of the area and the magnificent conditions

to Topes de Collantes, in the Escambray Mountain Range, to get acquainted and get updates on the Quality of Life programs offered at Los Helechos Hotel, of the Gaviota Group. They ended their tour with a touch of green and culture in the

to plan their trip to Cuba, thus ratifying their condition as specialists in the destination and ready for the 2009-2010 season.

Hotel chains such as Islazul, Gran Caribe, Cubanacán,

Zapata Peninsula from its commercial and sales department has toured the Caribbean island for the 22nd time, and on this occasion they received firsthand information from several hotels in City of Havana, Varadero and Cayo Santa María.

On a trip designed according to their tastes and accompanied by a Havanatur specialized guide, they didn’t miss the

of the Zapata Peninsula, venue of the event. Guamá Havanatur, which has its own tour operator, will be the official agency of TURNAT 2011, to be held in central Cuba.

They also visited the heritage cities of Remedios and Trinidad.

Santa Clara and its emblematic monument to Che updated them on historical events. The program also included a visit

Zapata Peninsula country’s western region, with a visit to Las Terrazas Complex.

Havanatur specialists showed them the programs and excursions our travelers can purchase in Cuba. This team went home happy and as always prepared to advice all those who prefer Guamá Havanatur

Gaviota, Habaguanex, Barceló, Accor, Sandals, Sol Meliá, Occidental and SuperClubs participated in the training session, showing them the country’s central and western regions’ product, with added values they have prepared for the new season.

Islazul Expands and Diversifies its Offer for Tourism HOTELES ISLAZUL HAS SET ASIDE A SPACE FOR YOU TO ENJOY AN AGREEABLE STAY THROUGHOUT THE LARGEST CARIBBEAN ISLAND, TOGETHER WITH ITS HOSPITABLE INHABITANTS, AT BEACHES, CONSERVED NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS AND COLONIAL CITIES.

The hotel group defines its product as two-star and three-star installations, with excellent conditions for family, long-distance, student, events, specialized and quality of life tourism, since they are located in cities, beaches and natural environments.

Islazul promotes the enjoyment of Cuban history and culture, particularly in the hotels located in the country’s principal cities, especially Havana, Santa Clara, Sancti Spíritus, Camagüey, Holguín and Santiago de Cuba. Its most outstanding beach destinations are Santa María del Mar, east of Havana, and Varadero; and nature sites such as San José del Lago, Hanabanilla, Villa Santo Domingo, among others.

Some of its installations stand out for developing attractive as well as singular proposals, which is the case of the Pernik Hotel in the city of Holguín, with rooms personalized by Cuban visual artists and cultural figures in general, among them those dedicated to Choco (Eduardo Roca) Cosme Proenza or Nelson Domínguez, where visitors can get acquainted with their works while enjoying a different stay. Each one of the Islazul hotels guarantees a stay full of attractions, adventures, discoveries and facilities that enable visitors to feel at home.

www.islazul.cu

travel trade caribbean • year IX number 186

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Dominican Republic Wants Jamaica Aims to Boost to Conquer Central Europe Historical Tourism

Colón Lighthouse The Dominican Republic announced a promotion offensive in central Europe with the opening of an office in Vienna, the 21st established by the Caribbean country abroad, from which it expects to expand its markets in Austria, Slovakia and Rumania.

The office’s opening in the Austrian capital makes Vienna

the principal goal of the campaign, which includes a greater number of offers and a strategic and multifaceted plan in Rumania and Slovakia.

According to this strategy, an office was recently opened in Prague and the opening of tourism offices in Stockholm and Moscow are previewed for this year.

Jamaican aims to increase historical tourism based on that English-speaking island’s wealth, announced Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett. He said the island has the potential to benefit from the cultural heritage tourism market, which each year generates more than 160 million trips. He described his country as one of the most attractive Caribbean destinations in that sphere, after Cuba and Puerto Rico.

Our athletes’ recent successes have generated interest about the country, about our history, to find out what makes us run so fast and dance so much, underlined Bartlett.

He added that Jamaica has three of the sites UNESCO considers as having universal interest: Port Royal and the Blue and John Crow mountains national parks and the Sevilla Heritage.

Quintana Roo: Best Tourist Center in North and Central America

Cruise Arrivals Increase in Costa Rica

Costa Rica plans to receive this year 262 cruise ships, 24 more than last year, which will generate close to 18 million dollars, exceeding last year’s 16.4 million, reported the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism (ICT).

The ICT expects 140 cruise ships to dock this year through the Caribbean, a figure exceeding that of 2008, when 135 cruise ships arrived in Costa Rica through the Atlantic coast. The Caribbean season will last until late April.

Because of its natural conditions, infrastructure and services, Quintana Roo won seven of the eight World Travel 2009 prizes awarded each year by the principal world organizations of travel agencies and international tourism wholesale companies, and which is seen as an Oscar award for cinema.

Cancun and Tulum were awarded prizes as “Best Tourist Destination” and “Best Beaches of North and Central America,” respectively.

Selvática Puerto Morales was recognized as the best adventure park and the leader in that genre in Mexico and Central America; Cozumel’s Punta Langosta Maritime Terminal got first place in the category of Cruise Tourism; and Playa del Carmen’s El

Deseo Hotel Complex the best in the category of charming hotels.

The Tres Ríos Hacienda Hotel was awarded two trophies: the best in the All-Inclusive tourism sector and best as an Ecological Tourism establishment; the Sian Ka’an Organization, as the leading ecology group; and the Cancun International Convention Center, first in the category of congress and meeting tourism. A trophy was also given to Chichen Itzá, Yucatan, as the leader in heritage and culture; and the Mexicana de Aviación Company was awarded a prize as the best airline in the area.

The prizes are given out through rigorous voting by 167,000 travel agencies, large-scale tour operators and tourism companies from 164 countries.