The 42nd Cuba International Tourism Fair (FITCuba) opens this Thursday in the tourist destination of Jardines del Rey, amid doubts in the industry following news such as a decline in tourist arrivals and the island introducing new e-visas. did. A system for tourism.
According to Travel Trade Caribbean newspaper, Tourism Minister Juan Carlos García Granda announced at the inauguration that the island will introduce a new e-visa system for tourists from May 6 to June 30, replacing the current tourist card. He said that he would introduce it.
mini stro turismo @JuannCarlosGG: ” A Partir del 6 Mayo y hasta 30 junio #Cuba Implementing an electronic visa system for Turismos and supporting real Targeta de Turistas. @minre pic.twitter.com/CZg2qG64SV
— Travel Trade Caribbean (@TTC_Cuba) May 2, 2024
The Prensa Latina (PL) news agency noted that García explained that the mechanism would be “implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Foreigners.”
Officials said the measure would be applied in stages, with priority given to the island’s main primary markets.
The main event of this industry, one of the strategic sectors of the Cuban economy, will take place in May in the northern keys of the province of Ciego de Avila, which is considered the island’s second sun and beach destination after Varadero. It will be held until the 5th.
In fact, Prime Minister García Granda also said during the inauguration ceremony that “this island is recovering and is the first destination with a growth rate of more than 4%,” according to the Prensa Latina news agency.
Latin American and Caribbean Market
Dedicated to the Latin American and Caribbean market this year, FITCuba will bring together more than 670 tourism professionals from countries such as Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Italy and Canada.
According to Cuba’s authorities in the sector, the fair’s objectives include seeking improved air connectivity and reaching the regional tourism market.
Cuba will receive one million tourists in 2024, with Canada as the main market (399,272 from January to March), followed by Russia with 66,887.
The Cuban government maintains its goal of reaching 3.2 million tourists this year, which would be an improvement compared to 2.4 million in 2023.
However, that would be lower than the 4.6 million and 4.2 million received in 2018 and 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nevertheless, according to García Granda, Cuban tourism in 2023 experienced a growth of 1.8% in the number of visitors.
Economic crisis and tourism
This situation is in contrast to similar destinations in the region, such as Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) and Cancun (Mexico), which have recorded historic visitor numbers after the pandemic.
According to estimates by various independent experts, in recent years tourism has become the second largest contributor to gross domestic product (GDP) and the third largest source of foreign exchange earnings, mainly after professional services such as doctors and remittances from abroad. It is the source.
Tourism cannot escape the deep crisis Cuba is suffering from, culminating in the combination of pandemics, tightening US sanctions, and errors in the design and implementation of the island’s economic policies.
EFE/On Cuba
