The U.S. National Geographic published an article where Cuba is chosen as cultural destination to visit in America this year, based on the opinion of several travel experts.
In the list, published along with a photo of Havana, the island is highlighted as a melting pot of cultures, with various African, Caribbean, and Spanish influences.
It also includes destinations such as Peru; the United States’ “Deep South,” in reference to the cities that border the legendary Mississippi River; Mexico and Colombia.
National Geographic selecciona a Cuba como primer destino cultural en las Américas. #Cuba #CubaUnica Más información aquí: https://t.co/ute53IxvX6 pic.twitter.com/OHPDjhtwbA
— Ministerio Turismo (@MinturCuba) January 10, 2024
With the title “5 experts share their favorite cultural destinations in North and South America,” the outlet states that the vast and diverse continents of North and South America “are a first-class cultural destination.”
It expands that in this region travelers can “explore the colorful, colonial-era streets of Havana in Cuba, trace the roots of American music along the mighty Mississippi or ride the rails through the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Peru.”
The New York Times recommends Cuba among destinations for 2023
Regarding the nomination of Cuba to lead the selection, it points out that it is an “ideal destination for its unique history and thriving nightlife.”
“To understand this complex island, travelers need to spend a couple of days exploring Havana, slipping through crumbling colonial doorways into atmospheric art deco bars for daiquiris and cruising the streets in an iconic American motor,” the text indicates.
At the same time, it highlights that Havana “is only the beginning of the story,” and adds praise for Viñales Valley, in Pinar del Río; the swamps of the Zapata Peninsula, south of Matanzas. It also refers to the charm of the city of Cienfuegos.
The choice of Cuba as a reference in the cultural destination section of America was celebrated by the tourism authorities on the island, Prensa Latina (PL) news agency noted.
This news supports the purpose of the Cuban government to accelerate the recovery of tourism, as one of the main ways leading to the coming out of the deep and prolonged economic crisis, aggravated in recent years by the impact of the pandemic, the sanctions imposed by the United States and the erratic measures taken internally.
The projected figure of 3.5 million visitors in 2023 was ultimately very far from reality, when just over 2 million tourists arrived in the country, something that considerably reduced the possibility of foreign currency entering the country.
