Tourism is on the increase in Cuba. Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero reports that the recent tourist season attracted over 1.70 million visitors, of which 60 percent were overseas tourists – an increase of 5.2% over 2011.

Speaking at the recent International Tourism Fair, the Minister reported that the growth figures represented a growing awareness of Cuba [...]]]> Tweet

Tourism is on the increase in Cuba. Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero reports that the recent tourist season attracted over 1.70 million visitors, of which 60 percent were overseas tourists – an increase of 5.2% over 2011.

Speaking at the recent International Tourism Fair, the Minister reported that the growth figures represented a growing awareness of Cuba as a tourist destination.

Traditional markets like France and Canada showed a steady growth of between 6-9 percent while others such as Brazil, Holland, and Mexico had increases as well. The standout performer was Argentina, a focus of the Tourism Fair, who doubled its visitor numbers. The world wide economic crisis impacted on some countries such as Italy, the United Kingdom and Spain who reported lower numbers.

According to Minister Marrero, the key factor in Cuba attracting more visitors was its focus on improved tourism infrastructure, especially accommodation where it opened five extra hotels with over 1,500 beds. In addition, over 6,000 rooms in existing hotels were refurbished and brought up to a higher standard.

The total number of beds in Cuba is now approaching 60,000 and nearly two thirds are in either four or five stay hotels. These hotels target various market segments with most – 71% – focused on the sun and surf market. A further 23% focus on city sights, and nature tourism accounts for fewer than 5% of the total market.

The commitment from the Cuban Government to investment was stressed by the Tourism Minister. Plans include refurbishment of existing hotels as well as increasing the overall number of rooms in four and five star hotels. The government has purchased over 300 buses and has nearly 4,000 cars for hire, which has reduced the pressure on Cuba’s transport system.

As part of the strategy there are 30 joint ventures and over 60 marketing contracts with major hotel chains. Air travel has been expanded with 40 airlines now offering services and investment will take place in the transport sector with upgrades to the airport, the road network and tourist attractions such as marinas and golf courses.

Things are changing in Cuba. Under leader Raul Castro the opportunities for private enterprise are expanding as the country seeks a new version of socialism for its citizens. The administration is embracing self-employment to the extent that it can complement its existing socialist regime.

Juventud Rebelde, the state-run official newspaper reports the Cuban Government is seeking [...]]]> Tweet

Things are changing in Cuba. Under leader Raul Castro the opportunities for private enterprise are expanding as the country seeks a new version of socialism for its citizens. The administration is embracing self-employment to the extent that it can complement its existing socialist regime.

Juventud Rebelde, the state-run official newspaper reports the Cuban Government is seeking increased entrepreneurship in the hospitality industry, including accommodation and eateries. The Minister of Tourism, Manuel Marrero said the majority of the 1,618 restaurants and over 5,200 accommodation providers are well run and competitive, offering quality services to visitors.

Attending the 32nd International Tourism Fair in Villa Clara, Marrero said that the Cuban Government had developed a “non-state” sector which encourages private enterprise in the hospitality industry. The non-state sector is an important part of economic reforms began in 2010 under the administration of Raul Castro.

By increasing self-employment, President Castro hopes to reduce the government payroll with the vast majority of citizens employed by the state. The lack of competition within government businesses has led to inefficiency and waste which has recently become difficult to control.

By providing more quality accommodation and opening newer and larger restaurants known as “paladares”, visitors are seeing definite change in Cuba. Previously, eateries were only allowed to seat 12 guests instead of the now 20 under the new regulations.

Now, as self-employment becomes more appealing to citizens and the Cuban Government, employees can be hired directly by owners and restaurants can now seat up to 50 customers.

Cuba is a country with a very interesting history and and in the communist state you will find many sites that you wouldn’t see anywhere else in the world. You will be able to see citizens queueing up outside ration shops and see authorities wearing Communist uniforms smoking enormous cigars.

If you’re coming to this country [...]]]> Tweet

Cuba is a country with a very interesting history and and in the communist state you will find many sites that you wouldn’t see anywhere else in the world. You will be able to see citizens queueing up outside ration shops and see authorities wearing Communist uniforms smoking enormous cigars.

If you’re coming to this country you don’t just need money and a passport, you are going to have to bring with you a great deal of patience, creativity, flexibility and good humour. Not to mention a sense of adventure.

Although Spanish is not entirely necessary, speaking it would make your visit to Cuba much easier. If you speak the local language you will be able to explore the local culture more deeply and you generally have a more enjoyable experience than the average tourist.

Despite the language problems that you might encounter Cuba is generally a country that is very easy to travel around and there are generally very few restrictions on where you can visit. Various relief on restrictions imposed by the government have meant that it has become easier for tourists in the country to interact with local people. Locals now have access to mobile phones which means it is easier for them to contact visitors.

Santa Maria Key is found around 20 miles north of the Villa Clara Province and it has been become known as the White Rose of Jardines del Rey.

The area covers over 1000 square kilometres which makes it the second-largest barrier reef in the world.

Santa Maria is considered the flagship island of the area and it [...]]]> Tweet

Santa Maria Key is found around 20 miles north of the Villa Clara Province and it has been become known as the White Rose of Jardines del Rey.

The area covers over 1000 square kilometres which makes it the second-largest barrier reef in the world.

Santa Maria is considered the flagship island of the area and it has been connected to the mainland by a 50 kilometre causeway which stretches over the sea through a course of 46 bridges. The bridges have been specifically designed in order to protect biodiversity in the area and keep everything sustainable. Water is allowed to flow completely underneath and the bridge which has a very small impact on the environment.

Santa Maria has 10 kilometres of white sand beaches and the waters here are crystal clear. Any visitor who comes here will realise that it is a place that is incredibly beautiful and the beauty is unmatched anywhere in the world.

For those who enjoy animal spotting there are many reptiles, fish, mammals, and birds on the island and spotting them would be a nature lover’s dream. If you are more interested in active activities, there are plenty of watersports available and nature tourism programmes that will take you around the island.

The number of tourists coming to Cuba has greatly increased recently and there are several reasons for this.

One of the main reasons is the change in US foreign policy which has made it easier for their citizens to visit the country. Furthermore, economic policy in Cuba has become more in line with international opinion recently [...]]]> Tweet

The number of tourists coming to Cuba has greatly increased recently and there are several reasons for this.

One of the main reasons is the change in US foreign policy which has made it easier for their citizens to visit the country. Furthermore, economic policy in Cuba has become more in line with international opinion recently which has made it a more appealing place to visit. The Arab spring has also had an effect on tourism here.

In the main city centre of Cuba, which is known as Old Havana, the hotels are full to bursting and the streets are filled with tourists from all over the world. Many have come to enjoy some of the winter sun in the city and explore its narrow streets which have some beautiful colonial architecture.

One of the most famous sites in Cuba is the Bodeguita del Medio which is supposedly where Ernest Hemingway enjoyed drinking mojitos and now many tourists head to the area to enjoy a drink themselves. The area has become so busy with tourists that people now spill out onto the streets because the bar is simply too full inside to sit or stand.

A manager from a hotel in the area has commented, “Havana is completely full, our hotel is at capacity all the time and it is proving very difficult for people coming to the country to find accommodation.” In 2011 the country saw nearly 3,000,000 visitors which is a record high. It is expected that this boom is going to continue for several years as Cuba continues to have record numbers of visitors.

It is estimated that the surge in tourism brought in over $2 billion last year and much of this was brought in by visitors from Canada. Canada is the country’s largest market for tourism followed closely by Argentina and Russia.

The number of people visiting Cuba from Argentina has significantly increased and the Caribbean island have estimated that over 20,000 people from Argentina have visited the island in the first two months of the year.

This is an estimated increase of nearly 35 percent when compared with the same period in 2011. These figures have come [...]]]> Tweet

The number of people visiting Cuba from Argentina has significantly increased and the Caribbean island have estimated that over 20,000 people from Argentina have visited the island in the first two months of the year.

This is an estimated increase of nearly 35 percent when compared with the same period in 2011. These figures have come from an official source within the Cuban Office of the Promotion of Tourism.

When the figures are compared with the arrivals from Argentina in 2010, the growth figure is close to 90 percent. The tourism office has further said that another country which is significantly increasing the number of tourists going to Cuba is Chile.

The number of tourists visiting from this country has increased 10 percent compared with the same figures for last year. Some other South American countries are also increasing their number of visitors to Cuba including Brazil, Peru and Paraguay. One of the only South American countries to see a fall in the number of visitors to Cuba was Uruguay

Celebrity endorsements of goods and products is hardly a new marketing tactic and it has recently been seen that huge Bollywood stars such as Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan, have been endorsing tourism in India.

There is usually a huge amount of planning that goes into celebrity endorsements, but it seems that when Salman Khan does [...]]]> Tweet

Celebrity endorsements of goods and products is hardly a new marketing tactic and it has recently been seen that huge Bollywood stars such as Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan, have been endorsing tourism in India.

There is usually a huge amount of planning that goes into celebrity endorsements, but it seems that when Salman Khan does one there is a little bit of a different approach taken.

Salman had recently been visiting Cuba for the filming of the movie Ek Tha Tiger and he was involved in a cameo for a tourism commercial advertising Cuba while there. It is said that while he was filming the main film, he was approached by a director for a commercial for the local tourism board.

Instead of organising the process, Salman just said that he would do it. The commercial was filmed where Salman was shooting his film so he didn’t have to go very far and the local director of tourism has said that his global appeal will do wonders for Cuban tourism.

Many of Cuba’s best tourist attractions were recently highlighted to industry experts during the Salon des Vacances Fair, which has taken place in Belgium.

The campaign run by Cuba has been called ‘Cuba For Real’ and it recently established a successful stand at the exhibition of tourism that place in the Belgian capital, Brussels. Cuba is [...]]]> Tweet

Many of Cuba’s best tourist attractions were recently highlighted to industry experts during the Salon des Vacances Fair, which has taken place in Belgium.

The campaign run by Cuba has been called ‘Cuba For Real’ and it recently established a successful stand at the exhibition of tourism that place in the Belgian capital, Brussels. Cuba is one of the most visited countries in the Caribbean.

It is expected that the stand at the tourism event significantly increased the amount of interest in Cuba that is seen in Belgium. In 2011, the number of Belgian tourists coming to Cuba increased by 10 percent when compared with the figures for 2010.

The head of tourism for Cuba in the Benelux countries is Fidel Enrique Rodriguez, and he has said that many people are coming from Belgium to Cuba to enjoy the beaches and sun that can be found in the country.

He also commented that there are many excellent tailor-made programmes for visitors that allow them to explore the culture and history of the country. Some of the highlights of Cuba he mentioned were the stunning architecture and its fascinating music.

For those who want to visit Cuba, they are going to have to complete a complex visa application process.

Cuba, as a socialist state, seems to have a lot of bureaucracy, and this means that you are going to have to have a great deal of patience while dealing with their visa system.

Before you start the [...]]]> Tweet

For those who want to visit Cuba, they are going to have to complete a complex visa application process.

Cuba, as a socialist state, seems to have a lot of bureaucracy, and this means that you are going to have to have a great deal of patience while dealing with their visa system.

Before you start the process, you are going to need to investigate carefully what sort of visa you require. You must also make sure, that your passport is going to remain valid for six months after your entry into the country.

For those who are coming to the country for a holiday, the visas are relatively easy to obtain. Your travel agent, if you have booked a package, will provide you with a travel card which will allow you travel for up to one month.

Even if you are heading to Cuba on your own, and are planning to arrange all of your own accommodation, it can still be worth obtaining this travel card from a local travel agent. The cards generally cost around £15 and if you don’t buy it then you are going to have to go to the Cuban Embassy and make a visa application in person.

It is also possible to arrive at the airport in Cuba without a visa, they are not going to turn you away. You will however, have to pay significantly more to obtain the travel card, around £30.

Furthermore, if you have come to Cuba without the visa arrangements already made, then the officials are going to look at your accommodation arrangements more closely.

If you haven’t booked a hotel ahead and they do scrutinise you, then you are going to face some difficulty. The security will demand that you purchase at least three nights accommodation at the airport, which can be significantly more expensive than in the town.

The business visa to Cuba is an even more complex process. There is no such thing as a simple tourist card which you can pick up at a travel agent. If you want to make an attempt at obtaining the Cuban business visa, then you will have to visit your local Cuban Embassy. You can expect the process the last two weeks, and there is no guarantee that you will be awarded a business visa at the end of the process.

You think Cuba you think of Havana, but there is much more to this beautiful and vibrant Caribbean island than it’s buzzing capital and miles of glorious beaches.

You will see much written about Cuba to try and entice you there; you will read about the resorts, the nightlife, the hotels, but this article is dedicated [...]]]> Tweet

You think Cuba you think of Havana, but there is much more to this beautiful and vibrant Caribbean island than it’s buzzing capital and miles of glorious beaches.

You will see much written about Cuba to try and entice you there; you will read about the resorts, the nightlife, the hotels, but this article is dedicated to a side of Cuba that barely gets a mention in the various other blogs; its amazing cuisine.

Cuban cuisine is an infusion of many influences that come together to create a unique dining experience. The combination of native dishes and contributions from Africa, Spain and the Moorish result in hearty, satisfying dishes with distinctive flavours that will satisfy even the most discerning of gastronomes. Those trying to eat healthily will be pleased to hear that Cuban cooking involves barely any frying.

A typical meal in Cuba will consist of beans, rice, a main dish with meat, a salad and root vegetables. The majority of the food is either sautéed or cooked very slowly over a low heat. The most commonly used spices are bay leaves, cumin, oregano and garlic, as well as a special concoction known as Sofrito. This consists of sautéeing onions, green peppers, oregano, garlic, black pepper in olive oil until the flavours have fused.

Vegetable wise, the Cubans love their root vegetables such as yuca, boniato, malanga and plantano. These are often simmered together in a large pot and served with a simple dressing of chopped onion and olive oil. You will also find them served with rice on a main dish. Another staple of the Cuban diet is fruit and pineapples, plums, guava are just some of the many that are readily available.

Pork, chicken and beef all play an important role in Cuban cuisine, and the normal cooking method is marinading then cooking slowly to produce tender and mouth watering dishes. Seafood is also very popular, and is cooked very simply to allow the fresh and fishy flavour to come through.

No trip to Cuba is complete without trying the pastries and the bread. Turnover that are filled with fruit and creamed cheese or spiced meats are particularly popular. Puff pastries are readily available as finger foods and you will find a large choice of custard based desserts. Sandwiches are popular with both residents and tourists and the famous Cuban Sandwich, widely found in Florida, consists of roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese and pickles.