ttc-186-WTM09-web

ISSN 1724 - 5370year IX • number 186 • november 2009 Edition Europa www.traveltradecaribbean.com

Excel London 09 - 12 november

world travel market

International Tourism Publication founded in 1996

0604 05

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

Occidental Miramar’s 10 YearsTwo 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.

With the aim of expanding its connections with Europe and promoting arrivals of visitors from the old continent and especially the United Kingdom,

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

New openingIberostar 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.

United KingdomCuba’s second tourist marketAt 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.

New Cubana London-Holguín-Havana Route

Continued on page 2

Continued on page 2

Continued on page 8

Continued on page 2

Cubana’s 80 Years Saratoga Hotel Cuba at Top Resa

TTC interviews Abe Moore SuperClubs Vice President of Operations

Dominican Republic Wants to Conquer Central Europe

12

14

Quintana Roo: Best Tourist Center in North and Central America 14

travel trade caribbean • year IX number 1862

Address: Via Galileo Galilei, 47 20092 Cinisello Balsamo, Mi • Tel: 02 36649575 • Fax: 02 36649576 • Mail: [email protected] / [email protected] • 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 - [email protected] • Editorial Staff for Italy Tiziana Settanni • Editorial Staff for Cuba Josefina Pichardo - [email protected] • Photo Reporter Hairo Rodriguez - [email protected] • Digital News Services Hairo Rodriguez / Frank Martin • Desing Jesus Rodriguez ( Junior ) - [email protected] • Webmaster Hairo Rodriguez • Collaboration and Marketing Ana Cecilia Herrera - [email protected] / Maria E. Leyva - [email protected] / Orlando Ojeda - [email protected] / Magdalena García - [email protected] / Mercedes Guillot • Email [email protected] • Web site http://www.traveltradecaribbean.com • News Office for the Caribbean La Habana, Cuba / [email protected] • Contact and Information [email protected]

Win3Nights in VaraderoCitizens 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.

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.

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.

From page one - New opening: Iberostar Laguna Azul

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.

Sol Palmeras

The Contest Already Has its Winners…

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.

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 - United Kingdom...

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.


Paradisus Resorts Enhances Comfort in CubaParadisus 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

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

TV set, Bali bed on the terrace, outdoor Bali shower and king-size 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

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

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 bar-restaurant, exclusive swimming

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

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

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

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 AnniversaryThis 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.

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

context of the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the

Cuban Revolution and this transcendental coincidence cannot be overlooked.

Therefore, the messages respond to the link between

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

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.

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.”

Contact:Telephone: (53-7) 2664644Van Troi Ave and FinalJosé Martí International Airport. Terminal 1City of Havanahttp://www.cubana.cu

Paradisus Varadero

Paradisus Río de Oro

5travel trade caribbean • november 2009

Cost Control in RestaurantsCost 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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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,

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

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

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.

Readers’ Awards 2009


Gran Caribe’s 15th Anniversary

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.

Cuba at Top ResaCuba 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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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%.

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.

Hotel Nacional


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

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 four-star hotel with quality services and modern installations; and with possibilities that are very appreciated by companions, group and circuit tourism.

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

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.

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 enter through that country.We began recovering in July; July and August have been typical months of the low

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

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

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

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

have a rather notable presence. Even so, British tourism is still one of our principal markets.

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

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.

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.

From page one - Occidental Miramar’s 10 Years


VarahicacosEcotourism in VaraderoThrough 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’

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.

Limones-Tuabaquey Ecological Reserve

New Tourist Attraction in Cuba

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.


Art Galleries in Havana

Fariñas and His Universe of FantasiesPainter, draftsman and writer, artist José Luis Fariñas (Havana, 1972) has reaped impressive prizes and recognition in Cuba and abroad.

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,

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.

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 [email protected]

Favoring Return of Martí Theater to Havana Nights

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.

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.

Culture


Rancho La GuabinaLa 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

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 horse-drawn carriages, visit to the community. A specialized guide will accompany you on all the activities.

WTO Promotes Sustainable TourismImportance 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.

[email protected] / www.grandslamcuba.com


TTC interviews Abe Moore, SuperClubsVice President of Operations

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.

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

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

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.”

When referring to Cuba’s tourist destinations which, in his opinion, could be the first to be visited by people

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

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 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.”

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.

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

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.

Viva Cuba Road Show Through Eastern EuropeThe 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.

Breezes Jibacoa


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

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

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

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

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

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

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,

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.

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

Zapata Peninsula

Zapata Peninsula

Islazul Expands and Diversifies its Offer for Tourism


Dominican Republic Wants to Conquer Central Europe

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.

Quintana Roo: Best Tourist Center in North and Central America

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.

Jamaica Aims to Boost Historical TourismJamaican 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.

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.

Colón Lighthouse

Documents

ttc-186-WTM09-web