Cuba is looking forward to an increase in tourist flow from Qatar as the Caribbean country is preparing to host an International Tourism Fair (FITCuba 2017) about 40 days from now. The fair would be held between May 3 and 6.
At a presentation on tourism prospects in his country, Cuban ambassador Eumelio Cabaleero Rodriguez said the fair, the most important professional event of Cuba’s tourism industry, will be held in Holguin, which he described as one of the most exotic tourism destinations of the entire South American continent.
Rodriguez, who came as Cuba’s envoy four months ago said during his stay in Qatar he has found there is enormous curiosity and interest among the residents about Cuba and Cubans are expecting a significant tourist flow from Qatar, especially between the five months starting from the end of May and the middle of October in view of good climatic conditions in Cuba.
“We neither have extreme summer nor winter in Cuba and the yearly average temperature is 25C, which would certainly be ideal to meet the requirements of travellers from this region, especially during the summer months,” said Rodriguez while speaking about a host of tourist destinations of his country.
Holguin, which is hosting the tourism fair, is one of the most attractive tourist sites in Cuba and this year the event is dedicated to Germany, which the ambassador said is providing an increasing number of visitors with each passing year.
Annually, 4mn visitors are arriving in Cuba and the country has no less than 67,000 quality hotel rooms besides more than 16,000 home stays, spread across 15 provinces. “Nearly 30% of the tourists are from Canada and about 285,000 visitors are coming from the US, he said while adding that now Cuba eyes Qatar among those countries from where there could be a growing number of tourists in coming years.
“Apart from a variety of cuisines, Cuba and its facilities including music, operas, recreational avenues, forests, beaches, mountains, heritage sites, lakes and other exotic tourist spots would keep the visitors busy, he said. Visas for visit would be issued locally from the Cuban embassy.
He said more than 450 health professionals from Cuba are already in Qatar and many of them employed at the Cuban Hospital in Dukhan. “Our expertise in treating neurological and ophthalmic disorders have gone out well with the people of this region, particularly Qatar, and we have identified health as one of the key areas of our tourism sector,” said the ambassador.
While speaking to Gulf Times, Rodriguez said though there is no direct connectivity to Cuba from the Gulf region, Emirates has signed an agreement under which flights would soon be operated to Havana from Dubai.
Besides the ambassador and officials from the Cuban embassy, representatives of a few other South American missions, officials from Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Qatar Tourism Authority and representatives of travel industry also attended the session.
Cuban musicians perform at the function.
