A Cuban delegation will visit France, our fifth source market for tourists to take part in World Tourism Fair that is also known as Le Monde à Paris, (MAP) that is held every year in Paris.
The Ministry of Tourism (Mintur by its Spanish acronym) issued a press release that reads the interest of Cuba in this important event (to be held from March 19 to 22) mainly concentrates on promoting the diversity of its tourism product, especially those offerings designed for the summer season, seeking to stimulate travel from the Gallic country.
MAP dedicates each year to the public a program of entertainment activities, practical information and conferences aimed at promoting tourist destinations around the globe and put them in the preference of European travelers.
This time, Cuba will also exhibit the main events taking place here in 2015, in order to show the attractions of the island to the world. These include the International Underwater Photography Event (from April 28 to May 2 in Maria la Gorda), the 35th International Tourism Fair (from May 5 to 7 in Jardines del Rey) and the Ernest Hemingway Marlin Fishing Tournament (from May 25 to 30 in Havana).
On the Cuban side will be representatives of the Tourism Ministry in Paris, the Ministry of Tourism of the Embassy of Cuba in France, Cubana de Aviación, the International Group of Tour Operators and Travel Agencies Havanatur and its representation in France.
Also with presence in MAP are delegates of Cubanacán and Islazul hotel chains and associated ones like Iberostar and Blue Diamond Hotels and Resorts.
The Tourism Ministry press release states that the presence of French tourism in Cuba expresses its strong rise in numbers: “At the end of 2014 (France) reported an increase of 7% over the previous year, showing a recovery of the sourcing of tourist to our country and its potential to sustain the increase. The market ranked sixth in arrivals of visitors to Cuba, the fourth from Europe, preceded by Germany, the UK and Italy. ”
In this context of steady growth, the participation of the Cuban delegation in MAP has a particular connotation, given that precisely FitCuba 2014 was devoted to France, one of the facts which also aided the increased operations from there.
Last December at the Hotel Meliá Varadero Peninsula the Francophone Lookea club was opened, which works with successes to date thanks to direct flights the airline XL Airways makes every week.
“They have also added new routes to the portfolio of products offered by tour operators and new operations demonstrating the preference of the French visitors for Cuba, due to the natural, historical, heritage and culture richness of the Destination Cuba” indicates the MINTUR release.
