A quarter of a century has passed from the moment when Meliá Hotels International dropped anchor in Cuba with the opening of its first hotel, the Sol Palmeras, with an inaugural ceremony on May 10, 1990, in Varadero, until it has currently taken over first place among the foreign chains with a major presence on the Cuban archipelago.
For the celebration of the hotel company’s 25th anniversary, its founder and president, Gabriel Escarrer Juliá and its vice-president Gabriel Escarrer Jaume, attended an event at Cayo Coco in honor of the newly inaugurated hotel Meliá Jardines del Rey, in the context of the official activities program of the 35th International Tourism Festival #FITCuba 2015, which took place from May 5 to 7 at Jardines del Rey.
During this gala event, Mr. Manuel Marrero, the Cuban Minister of Tourism, thanked the Spanish chain for its contribution to developing tourism, training of professionals, and for its recent announcement that it will continue to expand in Cuba. The Minister took advantage of the opportunity to congratulate the company’s workers and presented them with an award. In addition, he described the relationship between Meliá and Cuba as “intense and fruitful.”
The chain’s president, Mr. Escarrer emphasized in turn that Meliá Hotels International set up in this country “and made itself at home, ” and he offered assurance that this was “an act of faith and permanence, ” which is evidenced by the 27 hotels that the company currently operates on the largest archipelago in the Caribbean.
In a video presented during the celebration, the CEO and Vice-President of the hotel chain, Mr. Gabriel Escarrer Jaume, asserted that: “These have been the first 25 years and our goal is another 25, ” and he stated that “the Island of Cuba has a great potential and capacity for development.” The executive referred to brands such as Me, INNSIDE and Gran Meliá, which owning to their evolution and positioning offer opportunities for the island to enter new market segments.
It was a moving commemoration, which began with a cocktail at 7 PM, followed by an elegant three-course dinner with surprise performances and contributions. In order bring to a close this exclusive event, there was a performance by the well-known Orquesta Aragón, which was accompanied by the great Cuban singer Emilia Morales.
In attendance that evening were also the presidents of the companies Gaviota, Cubanacán and Gran Caribe, government officials, the diplomatic corps accredited in Cuba and the WTO, together with representative of tour operators, travel agencies, airlines and journalists.
