International Tourism Publication founded in 1996 Year XII • No. 207 • January 2012 • Regular Edition • www.traveltradecaribbean.com • ISSN 1724 - 5370 Poste italiane Spa - Sped. in Abb. Post. D.L. 353/2003 Conv. in L. 27/02/2004, no. 46 Art. 1 comma 1, DCB Milano - Prezzo per copia EURO 0,25
Cuba-Spain Economic Relations Have Deep Roots Mr. D. Javier Landa Aznárez, Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Spanish Embassy in Havana, speaks to TTC about the presence of Spanish companies in Cuba, especially those associated to the tourism sector. 12
WTTC Regional Summit in Cancún
Cuba-CARICOM Summit a Success The Caribbean and the Pan American Games
The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) will hold its first Regional Summit of the Americas in 2012, in Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico. 9
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ITB Berlin Convention 2012
Gloria Guevara, Mexican secretary of tourism, made the announcement at a press conference in Paris.
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PHOTO: TTC
Interview with Mr. D. Javier Landa Aznárez, Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Spanish Embassy in Havana
Upcoming Tourism Fair in Dominican Republic
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New Air Connections in the Caribbean
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Spanish Presence in Caribbean Hotel Industry More than 200 hotels are managed in the Caribbean area by some 20 of the most important Spanish hotel chains. Meliá, Iberostar, Riu, Barceló, Bahía Príncipe and Occidental head the list. The Mexican Caribbean, Dominican Republic and Cuba assimilate around 94% of the hotels under management contracts with the Spanish companies. 16
CTO Forecasts 4-5% Growth in Arrivals to the Caribbean
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Cuba at FITUR 2012. Cuba is present in the 32nd edition of FITUR, an event that because of its international dimension has become an important scenario to promote this tourist destination under the evocative slogan Authentic Cuba. 2
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TRAVEL TRADE CARIBBEAN • YEAR XII • NO. 207 • JANUARY 2012
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
Cuba-CARICOM Summit a Success
Cuba at FITUR 2012 Nature tourism will be one of the modalities that will be promoted together with the sun and beach product. Photo: Courtesy of the Cuban Ministry of Tourism
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he participation in the meet will facilitate the establishment of important commercial agreements, the identification of new lines of business geared at boosting the increase of tourist income and the arrival of visitors to the island, at a time of consolidation of the so-called smokeless industry, which in 2011 again surpassed for the eighth consecutive year the figure of two million tourist arrivals, confirming the position of the destination as competition for other Caribbean vacation spots. The Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR) heads Cuba’s tourist representation together with the Cubatur, Cubanacán Viajes, Gaviota Tours, Viajes San Cristóbal and Ecotur travel agencies; the hotel chains Gran Caribe, Islazul, Cubanacán and Gaviota; the Palmares business group, the Habaguanex group, Cubana Airlines and other entities like Amistur, Paradiso and the Museum of Fine Arts. All of them have included in their agendas professional meetings with the principal tour operator partners, airlines, associated hotel chains, among others.
Information will be given on the wideranging possibilities of the destination for the development of the combined modalities and circuits through a perfect integration of the sun and beach product with proposals to enjoy nature, cultural, historic, health and quality of life tourism, and the holding of events, congresses and incentives. MINTUR is making known the principal events for 2012: the International Tourism Fair of Cuba, which will take place May 8-11 in Cayo Santa María, with Argentina as the guest country and dedicated to the family tourism product; Fotosub Cayo Largo, an underwater photography event that will serve as the antechamber for the next Underwater Photography World Championship of the World Confederation of Underwater Activities in 2013, and whose venue will be Cuba; the Ernest Hemingway Marlin Fishing Tournament and others like Dance in Cuba, the Varadero Gourmet, the Montecristo Golf Tournament and the Meeting of Fiends and Clients of Partagás. ■
Attended by all the heads of state of the Caribbean countries, the 4th Cuba-CARICOM Summit was held successfully last December in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The bilateral gathering examined, for the benefit of the region’s peoples, a broad-ranging agenda on issues like: new areas of collaboration, expansion of investments, risks of climate change and natural disasters, regional integration, sustainable renewable energy, the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking, as well as the reconstruction of Haiti. The Summit ended with the approval of the Final Declaration of Port of Spain, containing a summary of the approved agreements, reference to the achievements of cooperation between Cuba and the countries of the Caribbean Community in the spheres of health, education and training of human resources, and a message of condemnation of the extraterritorial character of the U.S. blockade on Cuba. ■
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was created on July 4, 1973 through the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago, to transform the Caribbean Free Trade Association into a Common Market. It is made up by 15 nations: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. The associated members are: Anguilla, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands and Turks and Caicos.
Address Via Galileo Galilei, 47 20092 Cinisello Balsamo, Mi • Tel. 02 36649575 • Fax 02 36649576 • E-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 Rodríguez - director@traveltradecaribbean.com • Editorial Staff for Italy Tiziana Settanni - redazione.italia@traveltradecaribbean.com / ttc.italia@gmail.com / Tel.: +39 02 36540545 • Editorial Staff for Cuba Josefina Pichardo - redaccion@traveltradecaribbean.com • Digital News Services Frank Martín • Collaboration and Marketing Jesús Rodríguez - jrd@traveltradecaribbean.com / Ana Cecilia Herrera - anac@traveltradecaribbean.com / Maria E. Leyva - mariae.leyva@traveltradecaribbean.com / Orlando Ojeda - orlando.ojeda@traveltradecaribbean.com • E-mail italia@traveltradecaribbean.com • Web 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. Registered in ROC Italia (registry of communications operators). Distributed through postal subscription. Cost of copy: 0.25 USD. Partial or total reproduction of the articles is forbidden without the express authorization of their authors, who have legal rights over them and are responsible for their contents.
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TRAVEL TRADE CARIBBEAN • YEAR XII • NO. 207 • JANUARY 2012
THE CARIBBEAN AND THE PAN AMERICAN GAMES
The Largest Sports Fiesta in America Ŷ By Luis Pascual
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he Pan American Games, the largest sports fiesta in America, were hosted in their 16th edition by the Mexican city of Guadalajara, capital of the state of Jalisco, from October 14 to 30, 2011. These Games brought together the best athletes of the continent, who vied for the topmost honors in 47 sports disciplines. Among them were athletes from 20 of the 31 Caribbean countries, who won 75 gold, 64 silver and 76 bronze medals for a total of 215. Cuba again, the Games’ runner-up and only surpassed by the United States, headed that geographic area with 58 titles. The other Caribbean nations that won gold medals were the Dominican Republic, in 9th place with seven; Puerto Rico in 12th place with six; while Jamaica, in the 14th place, only won one; Bahamas and Cayman Islands, came in 15th; The Netherlands Antilles in 17th; Trinidad and Tobago in 21st; Barbados in 24th; and Dominica in 27th. When comparing the Caribbean countries’ performance in the table of medals of the previous Rio de Janeiro 2007 Pan American Games with that of Guadalajara 2011 we can see that the area’s level was maintained. The number of gold medals was the same in both Games, 75; they won 64 silver medals in Rio de Janeiro while in Guadalajara the figures decreased to 57; in terms of the bronze medals it was the opposite since in the South American country they won 76 as compared to 85 in the Mexican city. The total increased by one, since215 medals were won in 2007 while in 2011 the figure went up to 216. Ten countries appeared again the table of medals by nation: Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Netherlands Antilles,
Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Dominica. Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Haiti and Saint Lucia were again unable to be included, while in these Games Saint Kitts-Nevis and Guyana did achieve it. Individually, the gold medals of Cuban Yarisley Silva in pole vault; of Bahamian Donald Alexander Thomas in high jump; Caymanian Bret Fraser, continent record holder in the 200 meter free style in swimming; and that of Marc De Maar, from the Netherlands Antilles, in the 120 meter bicycle race, were pleasant surprises. ■
Basque pelota player RAFAEL FERNÁNDEZ SUÁREZ, one of the youngest athletes among the gold medal winners in the Guadalajara 2011 Games, in statements to TTC said: “Being a Pan American gold medal winner for me represents a great honor since after representing my country, with great pride and dedication, I achieved the final goal of ranking at the top of my specialty, pelota with a leather racket, together with my partner Azuán Pérez Tarrau. “This medal also gave a boost to Cuba in its goal of achieving second place by nations, which filled me with emotion and joy since we found out that all the people were on top of the results. I don’t have words to describe my feelings when I heard the notes of the national anthem on the podium, but what is sure was that I made one of my principal dreams in my sports career come true and it’s something I’ll never forget, since it will be an unforgettable memory of that historic event, catalogued as the best in the history of the Pan American Games.”
Rafael Fernández Suárez, dressed in white, in the front, together with his specialty comrade, Azuán Pérez Tarrau, in the back, during the competition.
Rafael Fernández Suárez. Photo: TTC
Lastly, the athlete noted to TTC that: “Since we got to the venue, we felt the fraternal welcome of its people, the support of all the people of Guadalajara, Jalisco. The organization, sports installations, its beautiful Villa, gave a pretty image. Right from the start, with what was a marvelous and spectacular inauguration where for the first time all
the participants had the opportunity to be direct protagonists, the Pan American fiesta demonstrated the unity of the Caribbean and all of America.”. Rafael, a 6th year student of the career of physical education, became interested in sports when he was almost six years old and his inclination for pelota got to him through his father. When he was 10 he began his first competitions and later on he became the national multi medal winner through the regulation categories until he was chosen to make up the national pre-selection when he was barely 15 years old. His most important results as a high performance athlete include: bronze medals in the Pelota Junior World Championship, Valdepeñas, Spain (2007) and Trinquete Leather Racket Junior World Championship, Entre Ríos, Gualeguay, Argentina (2009); and gold medals in the Open of Panama, Male Pelota, Panama City (2008) and ALBA Games, Leather Racket, Venezuela; and 16th Pan American Games, Leather Racket, Guadalajara, Mexico (2011).
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TRAVEL TRADE CARIBBEAN • YEAR XII • NO. 207 • JANUARY 2012
ITB BERLIN CONVENTION 2012
The Compass of the International Travel Industry Podium discussions on the shortfall in workers and managers – ITB Mobility Day the new "theme day" - ITB Health Tourism Battle, with visitBerlin as an innovative format for companies and destinations.
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TB Berlin 2012 will take place from Wednesday 7 to Sunday 11 March, and from Wednesday to Friday will be open to trade visitors only. Parallel with the trade show, the ITB Berlin Convention, the largest travel industry event of its kind in the world, will be held from March 7 to 9 and will once again be taking a look at the most important trends in the international travel industry. Dr. Martin Buck, director of the Competence Center Travel & Logistics, has said: "Over the past eight years the ITB Berlin Convention has earned itself a reputation as an important compass of the global tourism industry. Every year the convention combines innovative topics and exclusive surveys with outstanding speakers of international standing." The ITB Berlin Convention will have a broad range to offer at the ITB Mobility Day, which for the first time will cover all forms
of transport, and present examples of the latest best practices and new findings on climate-friendly transport. In addition to ecological and economic issues, ITB will also examine aspects of social sustainability and for the first will include the topic of accessibility. A new format dealing with the topic of health tourism has been put together for this year. In collaboration with visitBerlin nine companies and destinations will introduce their concepts during four-minute slots at the "ITB Health Tourism Battle".. ITB Berlin is the global travel industry's leading trade show. In 2011 a total of 11,163 companies from 188 countries displayed their products and services to 170,000 visitors, who included 110,791 trade visitors. ■ www.itb-convention.com
All of Cuba in Meliá
M
eliá Cuba provides the opportunity of combining different travel ideas in one same visit to the largest of the Caribbean islands. Thanks to its presence in the principal Cuban tourist regions, varied hotels and their adequate segmentation, travelers can live dissimilar experiences. This is the reason why Meliá Cuba offers the broadest gamut of options to combine different travel ideas and enjoy the attractions of the beach, city, culture, nature and incentives. Havana, Varadero, Cayo Santa María, Cayo Guillermo, Cayo Coco, Holguín, Santiago de Cuba and Cayo Largo del Sur are home to the 25 hotels and resorts managed by Meliá in the largest Caribbean archipelago. They are all four- and five-star hotels that stand out for their painstaking attention, extensive repertoire of services, diverse facilities, concern for quality, care for the environment, exquisite cuisine and creative
animation offer. This portfolio of hotels operates in Cuba under four brands that represent different experiences. They are Paradisus, an exclusive Premium insignia of deluxe vacation hotels; Meliá, of a medium-high gamut, in beach as well as city; Tryp, focused on the medium segment for leisure or business; and Sol, which as a beach All Inclusive for families, groups of friends and seniors stands out for its inexpensive character. These hotels stand out for their specialization in several market segments to differentiate themselves and achieve a high quality standard in services. To this is added the exclusive services that enhance the experience of those choosing the Meliá Cuba hotels. Especially outstanding is the proposal designed for the high-income segment: Paradisus Resorts, Royal Service, Deluxe Rooms and Yhi Spa. Paradisus Princesa del Mar, Paradisus Varadero and Paradisus Río de Oro are the
Cuban exponents of Meliá’s highest-ranking brand of vacation hotels in the Caribbean. These five-star and Ultra-All-Inclusive eco-resorts stand out for their Royal Service, where guests enjoy the luxury of a private area that includes swimming pool, bar, restaurant, exclusive beach and very personalized attention. Since the Royal Service is also present in high-standard city hotels, this guarantees the possibility of enjoying authentic deluxe combinations. The Paradisus Resorts are also renowned for their Yhi Spa, for experiences full of energy, and Deluxe Rooms, a selection of its best suites for guests who don’t wish the Royal Service, but always with the highest standard, and enjoy special attentions. For family tourism, weddings and honeymoons, only adults and couples, spa and wellness, golf and diving and fishing, teenage birthday celebrations, singles, incentive and business trips…for any travel plan, Meliá Cuba has the offer that meets your needs. ■
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TRAVEL TRADE CARIBBEAN • YEAR XII • NO. 207 • JANUARY 2012
Cayo Libertad A Garden of Eden at the End of Varadero
Bridge connecting Cayo Libertad with terra firma. Photo: Courtesy of Barceló Hotels & Resorts
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t the tip of the Hicacos Peninsula, on the small key of Cayo Libertad and sealing the strip of hotels in Varadero, the Barceló Cayo Libertad Club Premium***** harmonizes with the virginal nature and a seductive private beach. Connected to terra firma by a picturesque bridge over a causeway, as a novelty it offers its Only for Adults (18 years and over) product starting this 2011/2012 winter season. Located facing the Marina Gaviota and in the vicinity of the Punta Hicacos Ecological Park, the Dolphinarium, the Plaza América Convention Center and the Varadero Golf Club, the Barceló Cayo Libertad is just 40 km away from Varadero’s Juan Gualberto Gómez International Airport and is close to the cities of Cárdenas and Matanzas, important centers of cultural tourism. Luxury, exclusiveness, privacy, relaxation and safety become protagonists together with respect for the ecology. In the freeof-charge internal transport, only small electric cars cross the bridge to get to the key, and solar panel batteries attenuate the energy consumption. Physically adjoined to the Barceló Marina Palace Hotel, both are incorporated, but, being an exclusive area, the Cayo Libertad Club Premium is independently marketed. Despite the fact that this is a private space, it is not in itself a royal service, although it offers some services of this type. The Canadian market is the first to come to the Barceló Cayo Libertad, like in the rest of Varadero Beach resort; it is followed by Italy (mainly coming through Press Tours) and Germany (as a first option through FTI and Schauisland). The operation
Grand Suite Palace, view from the rear. Photo: TTC
with Spain is still not significant, probably due to little knowledge about the product. The most important tour operator is Air Canada Vacations, followed by FTI, Press Tours and Transat Canada. The Barceló Cayo Libertad Club Premium operates under the All-Inclusive regimen. Its principal services and installations include: reception, roundthe-clock room and concierge services; courtesy early check-in and late check-out (according to availability), private check-in and check-out; the gourmet international cuisine and Caribbean fusion El Peñón Restaurant, swim-
ming pool bar, cigar bar with air conditioning and open terrace; a private freshwater swimming pool whose edges seem to merge with the sea, direct access to the beach area, gazebo for weddings and celebrations and business center with access to the Internet. Moreover, its clients can have unlimited use of all the Barceló Marina Palace’s services and installations, like tracks and sports club, nautical point, wellness center, discotheque, theater, animation, five bars and six restaurants – with priority to make reservations in the three a la carte restaurants.
Cigar Bar. Photo: Courtesy of Barceló Hotels & Resorts
Property of the Gaviota S.A. tourism group and management shared with the Spanish Barceló Hotels & Resorts chain, this romantic hotel, surrounded by beautiful gardens and marine landscapes, has 85 rooms with a view to the sea: 80 junior suites, four suites and a Grand Suite Palace. The Grand Suite Palace is a spectacular two-story chalet (covering a total space of 300 m2), completely independent, with private entrance, two luxurious rooms, three bathrooms, kitchen, bar, living and dining rooms, Jacuzzi, terraces, swimming pool and a private quay. Its exclusive services include: nanny (the only room in Cayo Libertad that allows children), butler, cook, airport-hotel-airport transportation, direct telephone line, hi-fi music equipment. Four 80 m2 comfortable duplex suites, finely decorated with a Cuban colonial touch and totally equipped with satellite TV, DVD, direct telephone line, office furniture and living room, terrace or balcony; more than 80 junior suites (40 m2), also equipped with all the facilities, complete the room plant of the Barceló Cayo Libertad. You will always be welcome to enjoy the beauty of the Caribbean in this dream scenario that is the Barceló Cayo Libertad Club Premium, a new concept of personalized and exclusive service, which is why it is showing a growing index of repeat guests. Ideal for couples, weddings, honeymoons, anniversary celebrations, conventions, events, groups and incentive or business trips. ■ ▶ Autopista Sur final Punta Hicacos, Varadero, Cuba Tel: (53-45) 66 9966 marinapalac.res@barcelo.com marinapalace@barcelo.com reservas@marinapalace.co.cu www.barcelo.com
TRAVEL TRADE CARIBBEAN • YEAR XII • NO. 207 • JANUARY 2012
WTTC Regional Summit in Cancún
WTTC Regional Summit in Cancún.
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he World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) will hold its first Regional Summit of the Americas in 2012, in Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico. It was announced that the Secretariat of Tourism and the president of that World Council, David Scowsill, signed an agreement through which Mexico is designated as the venue of that first Summit, from May 16 to 18, which aims to gather the leaders of the international tourism industry, who will exchange points of view about the sector’s situation in the face of the complex global economic situation. The principal objective of the agreement signed by the Secretariat and the WTTC is the strengthening of tourism to promote employment and improve the economic activity and standard of living of the population. The WTTC is an international agency in charge of promoting tourism’s sustainable growth, for which it works in coordination with diverse government authorities of several world countries. ■
The public’s assistance to La Cabaña is massive during the days of the Fair.
Cuban International Book Fair Dedicated to Caribbean
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he Cuban International Book Fair will be dedicated to the cultures of the peoples of the Greater Caribbean, conceived as a cultural melting pot, diverse as well as united by its history, and made up by the 14 insular states, plus Mexico and the Central and South American countries with coasts to the Caribbean Sea.
Tribute will be paid to Caribbean works and authors, as well as the common thinking of the peoples of the region, during the 21st edition of the Fair, to be held February 9-19 in its principal venue of the San Carlos de la Cabaña Fortress in Havana, and until March 4 in the country’s other provinces. ■
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TRAVEL TRADE CARIBBEAN • YEAR XII • NO. 207 • JANUARY 2012
Cubatur One More Year of Strengthening Spanish Market T O U R O P E R AT O R S T H AT W O R K W I T H C U B AT U R SPA I N
PORTUGAL
Corte Inglés
Mundo Vipp
Politour
Iberoservice ice ce
Angalia Ibercan Caribe Club 5 Estrellas Mapa Tours Tierra Dorada / Solplan / Viva Cuba Aquatravel Online Tours Logitravel Solways Havanatur
SPANISH MARKET’S PERFORMANCE IN 2011 Despite this market’s situation, Spain registered a 20% growth for Cubatur, as compared to 2010, at the close of 2011 and with an excellent month of December that has helped to end the year successfully, in addition to having been evaluated as satisfactory since new operations of great importance for the company and the country were consolidated. According to Cubatur sources, negotiations were established this year with colleagues with a great deal of experience in the market, from which interesting projects have come out that they will be able to close, as a whole, in the framework of the FITUR 2012 fair and that will begin in the short and medium term in 2012. Regarding the tourist products, the sale of circuits throughout Cuba was the most important; the increase in the sale for groups was again given a boost and other modalities have started operating with force. Unfortunately, Portugal has not had the same performance, but Cubatur’s clients have all the support of the company, which will work as of FITUR to motivate again the market toward Cuba.
2012 TOURIST PRODUCTS ▶ Broad-ranging offer of circuits and mini circuits throughout Cuba, with no minimum of passengers and with guaranteed departures. ▶ The Circuitos Aromas (Aroma Circuits) continue and they are the union of different mini circuits that make up a very complete long-stay product, and at promotion prices. ▶ Launching of the AHORRO (Saving) Offer based on the programming of tours for sales with more than 60 days in advance. ▶ Launching of a very complete offer of Combinations (Havana-Varadero-KeysHolguín-Santiago de Cuba) through modules that include all the land services with extra-hotel activities. ▶ The Cuba Te Espera (Cuba Awaits You) programs are offered with creativity for the constitution of a different product in the market.
▶ The renovated Manejando Cuba (Driving through Cuba) program has been put to the consideration of the market. SOME OF THE CUBATUR PROJECTIONS THAT STAND OUT INCLUDE: ▶ Group departures are being promoted in the circuits offer, with added value and personalized services. ▶ Eastern Cuba is being strengthened with facilities in collective contracting and services, with no risk for tour operators. ▶ The assistance modality has been completely renovated in all the tourist destinations; the offices’ mission will be to make the client feel accompanied and totally informed. Cubatur will continue working in 2012 to strengthen relations with all the tour operators in the market, based on a f lexible, innovative and creative contracting for its clients, as well as to raise the quality of its services. You choose, Cubatur satisfies…
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TRAVEL TRADE CARIBBEAN • YEAR XII • NO. 207 • JANUARY 2012
Cuba-Spain Economic Relations Have Deep Roots
Interview with Mr. D. Javier Landa Aznárez, Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Spanish Embassy in Havana Q – Mr. Landa, what role does the Economic and Commercial Office of the Spanish Embassy in Havana play, taking into account that Spain is one of Cuba’s principal trade partners? Spain’s Commercial Office represents and defends the economic interests of our country and of our companies in Cuba and for this it basically carries out two types of functions. On the one hand, in the commercial area the Office promotes the export of Spanish products to Cuba, organizing activities like the participation in Cuban fairs or the preparation, together with the Chamber of Commerce of Cuba, of interview agendas for the Spanish businesspeople who visit Cuba on business trips. On the other hand, the Office defends before the Cuban administration the economic interests of the Spanish companies established in Cuba (approximately 250) and those others that export directly from Spain (more than 500 companies do so regularly). We also deal with representing the interests of Spanish companies before the Cuban administration in the tourist sector and we try to promote Spanish investment in Cuba, always respecting the norms and guidelines established by its authorities. Q – What are the Office’s links with the Association of Spanish Businesspeople in Cuba? The Association of Spanish Businesspeople in Cuba is the only association of foreign businesspeople that functions in the country and this is recognition of the importance of the economic activity of our businesspeo-
ple and the deep and long-standing relations they maintain with the Cuban administration and companies in all sectors. The Association is made up of 250 Spanish companies with interests in Cuba and is an entity that represents and supports the interests of these companies before the Cuban as well as the Spanish authorities. It is a regular interlocutor of the Office for carrying out activities of promotion and is a continuous referent to know the situation and expectations of the Spanish business community. Q – How does the Bilateral Committee on Business Cooperation operate? The Bilateral Committee was created around the mid 1990s and its objective is to establish the most direct possible relation between the companies of both countries, under the coordination of two business institutions like the Chamber of Commerce of Cuba and the Higher Council of Chambers of Commerce of Spain. Since then it has been holding annual meetings, usually alternating the places for the meetings between Cuba and Spain. The successive meetings of the Committee have made possible a better mutual knowledge among the principal companies interested in economic relations between both countries. The presidents of the Committee, on the Spanish as well as the Cuban side, usually travel to the country where the meeting is held accompanied by a broad delegation of the interested companies, which are usually represented by their highest ranking executives.
This mutual knowledge facilitates the search for opportunities to develop joint ventures, in Cuba as well as in Spain and, although it is still in its initial stage, in third countries with which one of the two sides maintains special connections. Moreover, these meetings are suitable to maintain contacts with the economic authorities of the two countries and to get to know firsthand the situation and perspective of our economies, and the most important future projects for which collaboration can be established. Q – What position does Cuba hold for Spain as a market and as a supplier? Spanish exports to Cuba increased 26% in 2010, up to 591,000€, which allowed us to recover part of the market quota lost in 2009. This improvement has had continuity in the January-June 2011 period, in which Spanish exports registered an important increase of 38.6% as compared to the same period last year, to reach 306,000€, although this percentage increase is likely to start decreasing throughout the year. Among the principal products that Spain exports to Cuba are iron and steel products, automobile parts, electrical material, equipment for the manipulation of fluids, agricultural equipment, paints and varnishes, food, etc. In terms of Spanish imports from Cuba, the January-June 2011 data show an important growth of 50% as compared to the same period in 2010, up to 85,000€. The gross of the Cuban exports are made up, as usual, by tobacco, seafood, rum and diverse scrap metals.
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TRAVEL TRADE CARIBBEAN • YEAR XII • NO. 207 • JANUARY 2012
The trade balance has traditionally favored Spain. Our country is Cuba’s third supplier, after Venezuela and China, and Cuba is for us the sixth country consumer of Spanish products in Latin America. Cuba ranks 87th among all the countries that export to Spain in the world. Q – Could you refer to the Spanish regions that are most represented in the commercial and investment flows? The principal exporters to Cuba are Catalonia, Madrid, the Basque Country and the Valencia Community. Among the four they add up to 75% of the Spanish exports and the remaining 25% is distributed among the rest of the communities, with quotas that are less than 4%. In general there is a great deal of stability in terms of the weight of each Community regarding the total in the 2007-2010 period. In terms of investments, we don’t have up-to-date data, but the ranking of Spanish regions should be, I’m almost completely sure, very similar to that corresponding to the exporting regions. Q – Which sectors of the Cuban economy have offered the greatest business opportunities for Spanish companies? The economic relations between our two countries have had deep roots for many years; they are intense and practically extend to all the country’s economic activities. There are more than 200 branches of Spanish companies established in Cuba, which give a boost to trade and economic cooperation in all sectors. Moreover, more than 50 Spanish-Cuban joint ventures are functioning, and they are participating in very im-
Venue of the Economic and Commercial Office of the Spanish Embassy in Havana. Photo: TTC
portant industrial sectors with products that are very well-known by Cuban consumers, like Bravo, Suchel Camacho, Suchel Proquimia, Colchones Flex, Durero, Compacto Caribe, etc., or in the services sector, like Aguas de La Habana Water Company, TCH (Container Terminal), Iberia and Air Europa, or in the financial sector, like the joint financing companies Financiera Iberoamericana and Corporación Financiera. Many Cubans are also familiar with the names of the major Spanish hotel companies, which manage some of the country’s most renowned and prestigious hotels. Q – Specifically, what participation do the travel sector, hotel industry and tourism contribute in the commercial and investment flows? The Spanish companies have been fundamental actors, together with the Cuban companies, in the development of the tourist sector in Cuba ever since its beginning. In fact, the majority of the Spanish investments in Cuba date back to the mid 1990s, when the country modified its regulations to facilitate the creation of joint ventures and other investment modalities like cooperation productions and management contracts. Ever since then, practically all the important Spanish hotel chains have established themselves in Cuba, and around 60 hotels, in both beach and city, among them some of the country’s most emblematic, are managed by Spanish companies. Moreover,
there are around 10 hotel joint ventures in which Spanish companies also participate. On the other hand, the number of Spanish tourists, despite our economic crisis, has remained in recent years at around 100,000 a year, a figure that places us, after the United Kingdom, among the first European countries that issue tourists to Cuba. In any case, our interests in the sector are much broader and the Spanish companies are among the first suppliers of tourist equipment and food and beverages for the hotel sector; our airlines (Iberia and Air Europa) maintain the highest number of flights with the European continent, and there are numerous complementary tourist activities in which the Spanish companies also participate. Q – Are there perspectives for new investment projects in the real estate sector? The Cuban tourist authorities’ new guidelines about the development of projects that include golf courses, hotels, marinas, etc. have created great interest among the Spanish promoters, and some of our country’s groups are already negotiating concrete projects with the Cuban authorities. We are sure that when the juridical framework in which these investments will take place is complete, the Spanish companies will be, as always, at the vanguard of investments in the tourist sector. Q – What incidence has the International Havana Trade Fair had in the commercial relations between Spain and Cuba? The Spanish participation in FIHAV 2011 has been, in my opinion, a big success in many aspects. In the first place, Spain has had for the first time an official pavilion in which companies from all the Spanish regions have been represented. Moreover, the pavilion has helped to present a homogeneous, modern and attractive image of our country and has contributed to highlighting the quality of our products. In the second place, the Spanish companies have doubled their participation to reach 120 companies, with a total space taking up close to 2,800m2. In clear correspondence with the level of our pavilion and the volume of our participation, this year Spain has won the Fair’s most important awards. Spain received the Award to the most numerous participation, to the Best Pavilion and the Integral Publicity and Communication Grand Prix. Moreover, around 15 Spanish companies received awards for innovation, quality, etc. Finally, and this is the most important, the opinions expressed by our companies at the end of the Fair were very positive regarding the contacts made and the expectations for business deals for the next year with their Cuban counterparts. We are very satisfied with the development of the Fair this year and we have high hopes that in next year’s edition we will be able to surpass the goals achieved in 2011. ■
Catalogue Summary EDITORIAL STAFF IN ITALY redazione.italia@traveltradecaribbean.com ttc.italia@gmail.com / +39 02 36540545
2012
MARKETING FOR THE CARIBBEAN marketing@traveltradecaribbean.com Tel.: +53 5 236 5591
TTC, Travel Trade Caribbean
PRINTED NEWSPAPER It is distributed in the world’s principal tourism fairs in Italian, English, Spanish and French. It also presents every year the Special Edition for FIHAV in Havana, one of the region’s most important fairs. It is also sent, in the digital version –in Spanish, Italian and English– through an extensive mailing list. Both distribution channels, printed and digital, add up to more than 50,000 impacts per edition.
2012 EDITIONS First semester
Second semester
January
Fitur, Madrid, Spain
September Top Resa, Paris, France
February
BIT, Milan, Italy
October
TTG Incontri, Rimini, Italy
March
ITB, Berlin, Germany
November
FIHAV, Havana, Cuba
March
MAP, Paris, France
November
WTM, London, U.K.
April
BMT, Naples, Italy
May
FITCUBA, Santa María Cay, Cuba
MAIN FORMATS FOR PRINTED INSERTION
ONE PAGE
HALF PAGE
QUARTER PAGE
QUARTER HORIZONTAL
FRONT-PAGE MASTHEAD
1/8 HORIZONTAL
BANNER
HORIZONTAL MODULE
Caribbean Operators Book
TTC News
A detailed list of the insular Caribbean’s tourist entities, with updated data and email addresses. In Spanish, Italian and English, the COB can also be found in digital format by visiting:www.caribbeanoperatorsbook.com
Weekly news supplement in Spanish, Italian and English that makes known, through the web, the latest and most important news about the area’s tourist sector. It is sent through a mailing list of 40,000 addresses.
TTC website
TTC NewsLetter
In Spanish, Italian and English it features a summary of the printed newspaper and other sections of interest. It contains an archive of historical information from the printed editions and e-bulletins. www.traveltradecaribbean.com
News Bulletin
ELECTRONIC BULLETIN
Made on request, to publish punctual and useful news of institutional interest. It is sent through 40,000 addresses in Cuba, Italy, Spain and the United States, among the most representative.
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TRAVEL TRADE CARIBBEAN • YEAR XII • NO. 207 • JANUARY 2012
24
Iberostar Hotels & Resorts
9
6
6
21
Riu Hotels & Resorts
10
8
1
18
Barceló Hotels & Resorts
7
7
4
15
Bahía Príncipe Hotels & Resorts
4
10
13
Occidental Hotels & Resorts
5
3
12
Fiesta Hotel Group
5
5
11
Be Live Hotels - Globalia
3
6
2
8
BlueBay Hotels & Resorts
3
2
3
8
Hoteles Catalonia
5
3
7
Hoteles C
6
Princess Hotels & Resorts
2
4
6
Sirenis Hotels & Resorts
2
2
5
Celuisma Hotels & Resorts
3
2
4
Blau Hotels & Resorts
4
H10 Hotels
2
4
Hoteles Sandos
4
2
NH Hoteles
2
1
Hoteles Mac
1
1
Hotasa Hoteles
1
1
Cotursa
1
T
1
3 1
1
1 3
1
1
2
7
1
3
1
1
operators. More than 200 representatives of tour operators, the hotel industry and other tourism service companies participated in the last edition. ■
FOTO: CORTESÍA MELIÁ HOTELS INTERNATIONAL.
2
Upcoming Tourism Fair in Dominican Republic he National Association of Hotels and Tourism announced that the 13th edition of the Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE 2012) will be held April 17-19 in Punta Cana. The commercial fair is being organized together with the 1st Tourism Promotion Council, sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism. International tour operators, travel agencies and tourism professionals participate in DATE to define joint venture strategies with hotels and other local tour
1
Colombian Caribbean
25
Panama
5
Puerto Rico
5
Bahamas
Cuba
Meliá Hotels International
Aruba
Dominican Republic
37
SPANISH HOTEL CHAINS
Principal Spanish hotel chains present in some Caribbean destinations
Jamaica
Mexican Caribbean
Spanish Presence in Caribbean Hotel Industry
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TRAVEL TRADE CARIBBEAN • YEAR XII • NO. 207 • JANUARY 2012
T
he Hoteles C hotel company is coming to this edition of FITUR 2012 with a tight agenda of meetings with the principal Spanish tour operators as well as with agencies of the Canadian, Italian and Russian markets. It will present the latest novelties and will close important agreements for 2012 with the purpose of over fulfilling its objectives for this new year. Thus, Hoteles C has ended 2011 by closing its balances with a total income of 10% more than the previous year. With more than 15 years managing hotels, an extensive experience endorses the company, which has been consolidating the trust of its collaborators while promoting the destination, to incorporate to its management operations seven hotel establishments in Cuba with a total of 1,515 rooms under the HOTELES C brand name. Its portfolio includes a city hotel in Havana, 25 villas and two hotels in Playas del Este and three tourist resorts in Varadero. We find the emblematic Presidente Hotel in Havana, symbol of elegance and colonial style, by the Malecón seaside drive. Just 20 km from the capital, in Santa María Beach, are the Tropicoco Hotel and the AtlánticoVilla Los Pinos complex. And in Varadero beach resort, the Aguas Azules, Barlovento and Arenas Doradas hotels offer a wide range of services in the 24-hour All Inclusive, gastronomic diversity, animation,
Hoteles C at FITUR 2012 aquatic sports and shows which our guests enjoy during their stay. ■ Málaga, December 23, 2011 Pepa Montiel — HOTELES C Raytur Caribe, S.A. Main Office: Palacio de Congresos y Exposiciones, C. México, 3 -3a planta / 29620 Torremolinos – Málaga –Spain Tel.: +34.952.05.13.08 /Fax: +34.952.05.05.81 Email: central@hotelesc.com Cuba Branch: 5ta Avenida Número 6403, entre 64 y 66, Municipio Playa, Havana, Cuba Tel.: 53.7.204.93.08 / Fax: 53.7.204.93.09 Email: hotelesc@enet.cu Presidente (top) and Tropicoco (below) hotels. Photos: Courtesy of Cuban Ministry of Tourism
www.hotelesc.com
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TRAVEL TRADE CARIBBEAN • YEAR XII • NO. 207 • JANUARY 2012
City of Havana’s Cemetery Ŷ By Julio Antonio Gómez Díaz Professor of the Don Fernando Ortiz House of Higher Studies, University of Havana
L
ast October 30 Colón Cemetery celebrated the 140th anniversary of its foundation. Created in 1871 as a response to the expansion of the city of Havana and the increasing population density, it came to replace in its funeral work the first Havana cemetery created in 1803 under the imprint of illustrious Bishop Espada. This sea of lit-up marbles, as it was once described by a poet, treasures, together with the city’s Historic Center, the most undreamed-of patrimonial values. The host of personalities, legends and sculpture pieces of funeral art make the monumental and patrimonial character of the Cemetery a necessary condition. Its 140th anniversary arrived accompanied by an intense restoration work that opened with the so-called “first-class area,” that is, the main streets that, forming a cross, divide the area into four parts and at its center is the octagonal chapel – the only one of its type in Cuba. Some of the pantheons that have recovered their for-
Sculptured entrance to the cemetery, work of Spanish architect Calixto de Loira. Photo: TTC
mer splendor, just a few meters from the Cemetery’s main entrance, belong to illustrious figures of Cuba’s history. Just to cite a few examples: Santa Clara benefactor
Marta Abreu; Dominican-Cuban independence patriot Máximo Gómez; Major General Calixto García; the friend and compiler of the complete works of José Martí, Gonzalo de Quesada y Aróstegui; Julián del Casal, a profound precursor of literary modernism on the island, among others. The capital’s cemetery houses numerous curiosities, beyond the overwhelming data of including in its majestic perimeter of 3,800 meters some 70,000 museum objects and more than 20,000 historical monuments. We can begin with its love stories, surprising epitaphs – just think about the unnamable feast evoked by Lezama in his -, domino and chess pieces, tombs that have been built as centers for religious pilgrimages, which is the case of the Milagrosa and Brother José. Another of the indispensable sites to be visited in Colón Cemetery is the funeral art museum hall, where around 50 sculpture pieces built with marble or bronze are on exhibit, including a display of tombstones from the former Espada Cemetery. Let us then welcome the restoration of such an emblematic place, a peaceful shelter of the City of Havana. ■
Main avenue, the principal marker for the division of the cemetery in four areas. Photo: TTC
Fecons 2012 and Pan American Engineering Convention
H
avana will be the simultaneous venue of the 9th International Construction Fair (Fecons 2012), an attractive market of the construction sector for businesspeople, from April 10 to 14, in the PABEXPO fairgrounds, associated to the 33rd Pan American Engineering Convention (UPADI 2012), which will take place April 9-13 in the Havana Convention Center. Until now, more than 1,400 m2 of exhibition area have been set aside by 10 countries for Fecons 2012. A biennial event, the International Construction Fair takes up an important space in Cuba’s international commercial activity; it enables getting acquainted with products and new technologies that allow their introduction into the Cuban mar-
ket as well as their generalization, through contacts between exhibitors, buyers and professional visitors from different parts of the world. Meanwhile, it is expected that representatives from 27 nations from Central America, South America, North America and the Caribbean will attend the Pan American Convention. Four forums will analyze the strategic lines of Pan American engineering in subjects like: insertion of young people and women into engineering, how to combat corruption in the engineering sector and how to organize engineering practices in America and the Caribbean. ■ Workers from a construction company working in the new residential neighborhoods on the outskirts of Havana. Photo: TTC
▶ fecons.netcons.com.cu ▶ www.upadicuba.com
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TRAVEL TRADE CARIBBEAN • YEAR XII • NO. 207 • JANUARY 2012
I
f you want to live an Occidental experience in Cuba, this Spanish chain invites you to enjoy the pleasures of its
Occidental Hoteles in Cuba Between the City and the Sea
triad of installations on the Caribbean island: two in the city, in the western part of Havana, and one in Varadero Beach Resort. The hotels that bear this brand of excellence reveal themselves as points of departure to tour the Cuban capital and connect with one of the most famous beach resorts in the world, with possibilities of All-Inclusive offers that spare no details when it comes to pleasing its guests. The Occidental Miramar has the advantage of being located in the most elegant district of the city, where the commercial and diplomatic representations are concentrated, a beautiful view of the sea and the distinction given to it by Fifth Avenue. Ideal for the family, incentive groups, honeymoon and businesspeople segment. Loyal to the philosophy of the Spanish hotel group that combines hospitality, excellence service and comfort, you can have access to the Occidental Montehabana if you wish to feel the warmth of a home. Designed to receive all type of tourism, especially long stays, it has spacious
and comfortable apartments equipped with utensils and accessories that will facilitate your stay in the place. Beyond its own attributes, Occidental Montehabana is joined to the Occidental Miramar, conferring it other benefits. In addition to the two city hotels there is the Allegro Varadero, ideal for family vacations, reborn with a new image after a remodeling of its main building. The attributes that make it stand out include its location in the middle of a stunning natural vegetation surrounded by three different beach areas: an exclusive one that is onekilometer long, between two rock formations, and two beaches in the areas of the Allegro Ocean Club and Allegro Beach Club, each one with an associated area of swimming pools, which makes the hotel a unique product in Varadero. Thus, there are multiple reasons that will drive you to choose Occidental Hoteles in Cuba, whether you want to vacation with the family, enjoy your honeymoon or have a propitious scenario for incentive and business groups. ■
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TRAVEL TRADE CARIBBEAN • YEAR XII • NO. 207 • JANUARY 2012
Glamour at Quinta Avenida Habana Hotel J
ust by crossing the threshold of the Quinta Avenida Habana Hotel*****, glamour, comfort, serenity and professionalism receive you on arriving. Located in the select district of Miramar with excellent panoramic views of the elegant 5ta Avenida and the Montebarreto Ecological Park, it is 25 minutes away from José Martí International Airport and 20 from the capital’s colonial area. The Quinta Avenida Habana Hotel, of the brand of the Gaviota Tourism Group S.A., has 186 spacious rooms: 178 standard (41 m2) and six suites (92.4 m2), in a six-floor building, with AC, private bathroom (the suites have an additional one) hairdryer, telephone, satellite TV, safety-deposit box, mini bar, balcony or a view to the exterior. Two are completely equipped with facilities for the handicapped. Two restaurants – El Olivo, featuring buffet-style international cuisine, and Don Quijote, serving international and Spanish food – and three bars – Daiquiri Lobby Bar open round the clock, Terraza Habana Snack Bar and the snack bar in the swimming pool ar-
ea – guarantee a varied a la carte or fast food culinary offer, continental breakfast in the room, a broad selection of traditional Cuban and international beverages and cocktails. Nighttime animation, programs especially designed for honeymooners, courtesy transportation to Old Havana with four daily departures and returns, Internet (Wi Fi available 24 hours), as well as first aid medical services are also available to guests. Built on 7,362 m2 and on an area covering a total of 45,000 m2, the hotel has a freshwater swimming pool surrounded by a natural environment, gym, SPA, hairdresser, laun-
dry, shop, beauty parlor and tourism desk, plus a trade center and facilities for events in multipurpose halls with a maximum capacity for 100 persons, ideal for private receptions, banquets, birthdays, weddings or meetings. With a high repeat rate among the business segment clients, the Quinta Avenida Habana Hotel’s principal markets are Spain, Canada, Mexico and France. ■ ▶ 5ta Avenida e/ 76 y 80, Miramar, Playa, Havana ▶ Tel.: 53 (07) 214 14 70, ext. 8070, 8071 jefe.ventas@quintavenidahabana.co.cu comercial@quintavenidahabana.co.cu www.gaviota-grupo.com
The Most Important Arts and Crafts Event in Cuba
T
he most important arts and crafts meeting in Cuba, the International Arts and Crafts Fair, whose 15th edition, FIART 2011, took place last December, displayed the artistic work of craftspeople from 15 Latin American, Caribbean, European and Asian countries in 386 stands, and brought
together thousands of persons and international guests, surpassing the 2010 figure. Gold, silver and costume jewelry, furniture, textiles, clothes, footwear, adornments, lamps, are some of the many products that filled with their colors the PABEXPO fairgrounds. Moreover, the program included
fashion shows, photo and painting exhibitions, as well as a theoretical meeting about the development of arts and crafts as an exportable potential. Convened by the Cuban Fund for Cultural Goods, for 24 years Havana has been the venue of these events that attract a numerous public. ■
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TRAVEL TRADE CARIBBEAN • YEAR XII • NO. 207 • JANUARY 2012
Insular Caribbean Destinations with Direct Flights from Spain Insular Caribbean Destination
Airline with direct flights
Cuba
Iberia Air Europa Cubana
Dominican Republic
Iberia
Puerto Rico
Iberia
Sources: www.iberia.com / www.skyscanner.es
NEW AIR CONNECTIONS IN THE CARIBBEAN
New Condor GermanyPuerto Rico Direct Flight
Copa Expands Brazil-St. Maarten Connections
THE NEW ROUTE of the Condor airline links, twice a week, the German city of Frankfurt with San Juan. It is expected that the service will carry more than 14,000 visitors to Puerto Rico in a year. In recent months three new international airlines have decided to bet on this destination: British Airways, Westjet Airlines and now Condor. ■
CTO Forecasts 4-5% Growth in Arrivals to the Caribbean THE GENERAL SECRETARY of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, Hugh Riley, affirmed in a Christmas message that the preference and interest for the Caribbean as a tourist destination continues the same, to the point that despite the impact of the instability in oil prices and its consequences on the price of vacations, plus the unfavorable environment of the international crisis, it is expected that the Caribbean will close 2001 with a 4 to 5% growth in tourist arrivals. The communiqué highlights that many of the CTO member countries and the hotel sector in the region are exploring new markets while working to update and refresh the tourist product, with the aim of providing additional reasons to encourage travelers’ repeat visits. In terms of income generated by tourism, Hugh Riley urged to continue working tirelessly to increase income and maintain profit-making businesses as well as the employment levels. ■
COPA AIRLINES increased from two to four its weekly flights to St. Maarten. The service leaves from Sao Paulo through the Panamanian hub of Tocumen, where the passengers immediately make their connection without going through immigration or customs. ■
Riviera Maya Reaffirmed as Best Mexican Destination
Mouth of the famous Chavón River, on the outskirts of the city of La Romana.
JetBlue’s New York-La Romana, Dominican Republic, Direct Flight THE JETBLUE AIRLINE began operating a direct flight on the New York-La Romana route, a unique connection without a stopover. The low-cost U.S. carrier flies on Wednesdays and Fridays from John F. Kennedy Airport to La Romana’s international airport. JetBlue offers 169 weekly flights to the Dominican Republic from New York, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and San Juan (Puerto Rico).■
Chicago-Cuba Direct Commercial Flights Begin THE C&T CHARTERS COMPANY began f lights from Chicago, the United States, to Cuba with round trips on Fridays, from O’Hara International Airport, one of the facilities authorized by the Barack Obama administration to provide this service to Cuba. The charter f lights – made by the Sky Kings Airline with Boeing 737-400s with capacity for 150 passengers -, with a direct weekly frequency, will increase to two in January. Up to now, the f lights between the United States and Cuba had been limited to airports of Miami, New York and Los Angeles. ■
The U.S. tourist publication Travel Weekly ranked the Riviera Maya for the eighth time in eight years as the “Best Destination in Mexico.” The Riviera was granted the Travel Weekly Reader’s Choice Award for eight years in a row. The locality was a candidate together with Cancún, Cozumel, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta. The selection of the winners was made by the readers of Travel Weekly, the majority of them travel agents from the United States and professionals from the industry who evaluate the tourist destinations taking into account the infrastructure and the quality of the services offered, the amenities, as well as the number of travelers that visit them and the comments received by tourists. This year 59 Travel Weekly awards were given out in different categories that recognized the best of the world’s tourist industry, including hotel chains, deluxe hotels, tour operators, airlines, car rentals and cruise companies. ■
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TRAVEL TRADE CARIBBEAN • YEAR XII • NO. 207 • JANUARY 2012
Viajes Cubanacán... AT YOUR SIDE Interview with Mercedes Abreu Mesa, president of Viajes Cubanacán The president of Viajes Cubanacán, Mercedes Abreu Mesa, speaks to TTC about the performance of her agency’s operations with the Spanish market as well as its perspectives and new products. To illustrate the principal links of Viajes Cubanacán’s operations with the Spanish market, Mercedes Abreu listed the principal operators with which it works this market: Travel Plan, Politours Soltour, On Line, FSB, Viajes Altamira, Karla Tours, Excelencias, Tierra Dorada, Euskocaribe, Cota 2000 Turisopen, JuliaTours, among others. Those represented by Viajes Cubanacán are Travel Plan and On Line. Politours, Travel Plan and On Line move the largest percentage of tourists. Moreover, according to her, “we maintain excellent relations with Cuba’s operator in Spain, Guamá Tours.” Further on she explained that the most representative tourist segments in that operation are “the circuit clients and those who prefer to rent a car to get organized as they please”; and that the Spaniards’ preferences include “touring cities with patrimonial, historic and cultural values, like Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, Camagüey, Trinidad and Varadero and Guardalavaca beaches, among other sites included in the principal circuits, which range between 7 and 14 nights.”
Mercedes Abreu Mesa, president of Viajes Cubanacán. Photo: TTC
“The existence of Cubana Airlines in this market, in addition to Iberia and Air Europa with their many frequencies, are an important potential for the issuing of Spanish tourism to the Cuba destination, but the air fleet as compared to the potential demand for trips and the development of new products in the ‘free plan’ style preferred by the Spaniards are still not sufficient. “The prospects for 2012 are encouraging due to the positioning achieved in the mar-
ket based on the fact that quality, efficiency in services and the speed of the confirmations, an aspect that is appreciated by Spanish tourism to plan their vacation trip, should come first.” On the occasion of FITUR 2012, the Viajes Cubanacán agency is promoting, as novelties, its offer of renovated Circuitos (Circuits) for the Winter 2011-Summer 2012 season and the Conectando Cuba (Connecting Cuba) product with more than 10 route combinations throughout the island that allows for creating tailor-made programs from one tip to the other of the country, for tour operators as well as for individual clients who visit the web to purchase these services. Another product that could be attractive is VOY PA’ CUBA (I’m Heading for Cuba), comprising combinations of excursions and transfers in the principal tourist destinations, supporting the premise of “create your journey confident that Viajes Cubanacán will be…AT YOUR SIDE.” “Despite the international economic crisis that has affected the market at the close of 2011, Viajes Cubanacán, present in Cuba’s principal tourist destinations, is witnessing a recovery in the number of passengers and amount of income. The modality involving the sale of circuits, car rentals and tailormade programs predominates. We still have two debts with this market: to further focus on the family segment, by developing products especially for children based on the safety and the fantasy we can offer; and, secondly, to promote the cruise operations with one or several landings, including ‘mother port’ operations for which we have all the land services, using all of Cuba’s marinas and principal ports”, Mercedes Abreu affirmed. To round off her interview, Abreu concluded: “Viajes Cubanacán highlights the role of Cuba’s Tourism Office in Spain which has made it possible with its action to have a greater identification with the tour operators and attract new accounts that did not sell the Cuba market, in addition to promotion actions for the destination in an effort to make known Cuba’s tourist attractions, its safety, and patrimonial, cultural and historic values that combine the common roots that identify and unite us.” ■