The view from my Memories Paraiso balcony.
Acrobatic performers welcome us to
FIT Cuba.
Tour operators, tourism representatives, diplomats & media gather for presentations and speeches.
Manuel Marrero, Cuba's Minister of Tourism, prepares for the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Local performers from the town, Remedios.
Cuban hospitality was at its finest at this year’s 32nd annual FIT Cuba. Tour operators, tourism representatives, diplomats and media from all around the world attended the event from May 8th to 11th. This year’s International Tourism Fair focused on the keys of Villa Clara and was held on the beautiful island of Cayo Santa Maria. In 1999, a 48 km. causeway connecting this destination to the main island of Cuba was built. It paved the way to the tropical oasis known for its pure white sandy beaches, sparkling turquoise waters and premium all-inclusive resorts.
Guests of FIT Cuba were hosted at the 5 star, Memories Paraiso Beach Resort. Located next to a tourist dedicated shopping plaza, Pueblo La Estrella, where some of the conferences’ events were held, the Memories Paraiso was a practical choice. But not only was it convenient, the service at this resort was also quite impressive and is perhaps what beckons so many return visitors. Not a single staff member would stop without a smile or a greeting, “Hola,” or “Buenos Dias.” Now, it’s said that Canadians are some of the friendliest and most polite people in the world. But after spending a week in Cuba and working with local tour guides from the Gaviota Group, Canadians are facing some tough competition.
FIT Cuba attendees followed an intense program that included presentations and speeches from tourism representatives such as Cuba’s Minister of Tourism, Manuel Marrero; Daniel Pablo Aguilera from the Ministry of Tourism in Argentina and Frank Oltuski Rodriguez, V.P. Marketing, Gaviota Group. However, the itinerary primarily ran along the lines of “work hard, play hard” so it was not without its fiestas. At every conference venue, site inspection and excursion, guests were treated to fancy cocktails and enjoyed the entertainment of salsa dancers and musicians. Everyone began to grow accustomed to this “special” treatment.
When I landed at YYZ, early Sunday morning, there were no welcome drinks or glittery costumed dancers to mark my arrival. Nobody acknowledged me with an, “Hola,” or “Buenos dias.” No… definitely not in Cuba anymore.
