Cuba Tourist Board's Gustavo Rodriguez Zaldumbide and Nieves Ricardo, with Nusta Arevalo Rivera of Club Amigo Hotels and Karen Puebla, Cuba Tourist Board
Gustavo Rodriguez Zaldumbide, Lorraine Brisbois and the Consul General of Cuba, Mr. Javier Domokos
Karen Puebla, Gustavo Rodriguez Zaldumbide, Kamral Khan of Roraima Travel, Nusta Arevalo Rivera and Nieves Ricardo
Sunwing's Lily Estay, Lorraine Brisbois, Ashbee Bakht, Cheryl Issacs, Ena Sarac and Caroline Doehlr
More than 100 travel professionals braved the cold to meet in Mississauga and hear about the warmth and uniqueness of Marea del Portillo last week.
Hosted by the Cuba Tourist Board and Cubanacan Hotels, the message was clear... Marea del Portillo is a gem. Relaxed, out of the way and with 40% repeat clientele (the highest for any Cuban destination), Canadians love it.
“This is not a case of shifting current clients out of Varadero or Holguin,” said Gustavo Rodriguez Zaldumbide, the newly appointed Director for the Cuba Tourist Board. “Marea del Portillo is a unique destination in Cuba that attracts clients on its own merit. With a focus on nature, eco-tourism and the local culture, this is a case of finding the right client for this beautiful destination.“
The evening, which also hosted a number of past Canadian guests to the destination, was part celebration, part thank you and part education. With incredible Cuban music, many of the attendees left the tables to dance and enjoy the night.
The 283 room Club Amigo Marea Del Portillo is situated between the mountains and the ocean and a 90 min. transfer from Manzanillo. The Hotel has a private beach and is at the foothills of the historical Sierra Maestra Mountains.
“For Canadians, this is a home away from home giving guests access to the real Cuba,” says Nusta Arevalo Rivera, Sales Manager for Club Amigo Hotels. “It’s the perfect region where beach, history and nature go hand in hand.”
Highlights of the area include 2 National Parks: Turquino National Park, where hikers can follow trails to the highest peak in Cuba and The Desembarco del Granma National Park, a World Heritage site thanks in part to many area caves and caverns.
An exclusive destination for Sunwing, their team was out in full force at the event. “Marea del Portillo is a great destination for us,” said Lorraine Brisbois, Sunwing's Corporate Manager for Preferred Partners. “We have the VIVA CUBA program which allows clients to have an unforgettable experience and enjoy Cuba to the fullest. Activities like rum education and tasting, as well as cigar appreciation are included, but we also offer more unique inclusive activities like a baseball game with the community and a Folkloric evening of typical food and dance. Clients love it and they want to go back."
