Cuban underwater world in photo competition

Between June 8 and 13, 2015 the V edition of the Meeting of Underwater Photography IMASUB will take place, contest that returns to its usual venue of the International Diving Center (IBC) María la Gorda in Guanahacabibes Peninsula in the westernmost Cuba’s point

During the call launched on Wednesday February 18 by the travel agency Gaviota Tours, event organizer, it was possible to know that the current version is expected to impose record number of participants, with close to fifty registered photographers, explained Frank Pais Oltuski, vice president of marketing of the tourist group.

José A. Cañibano Hercilla, 3rd prize Enviroment with Model

For 2015 there are planned four categories of competition: wildlife, environment, environment with model and macro. First three places will be awarded in each of the specialties and a Grand Prix for the highest accumulator artist, who besides the trophy will get a stay of three nights for two in Maria la Gorda at half price with five dives.

With regard to housing conditions and existing infrastructure, Diosmides Garcia, Commercial Specialist and Public Relations CIB, said that “today it is conducting a process of capital restauration of some facilities to have about 103 rooms available in the center “.

María la Gorda has about 50 dive sites and is considered one of the top dive sites in the Caribbean by the beauty of the underwater environment and its crystalline waters, aspects that make perfect setting for this type of events.

This time, the organizers expect a total of six dives as part of the event. A first one exploratory and that would help photographers to choose the areas they would prefer to start work; then another four in the morning on June 10 and 11, which will eligible for the contest images; and a final optional immersion.

On expectations for this new IMASUB, Oltuski told OnCuba that “this is the consolidation of an event that has been growing in number of participants per year. It is not just artistic event of photography, as those who attend it then become the main promoters of the natural goodness of Cuba for this practice. Overall it’s a great excuse for a meeting of friends, nature lovers and diving “.

Historically United States is one of the usual countries in IMASUB, a situation that may be repeated this year. For now, Oltuski recognizes that 2015 has started well for tourism in Cuba, “since it started high season the group is growing 10{bb302c39ef77509544c7d3ea992cb94710211e0fa5985a4a3940706d9b0380de} compared to the previous year, although we cannot say that the US tourism whatever it increased incidence have it yet. ”

However, the same official ensures that, if travel between the two countries is normalized, this may change. “In the Caribbean our main competitors are Riviera Maya-Cancun and Puerto Rico-Dominican. There, 33{bb302c39ef77509544c7d3ea992cb94710211e0fa5985a4a3940706d9b0380de} of the tourists are Americans and Cuba could become a destination of choice for them, “he said.