Once more Cuba becomes a meeting point for tourism professionals from all over the world. This time, in Holguin, the province in the East of the country in which researchers claim that Cristopher Columbus arrived more than 500 years ago.
Melia is part of the most important event of the touristic sector in Cuba, gathering every year more than fifty countries.
For us, these days mean reuniting with our friends from the world and the opportunity to consolidate new projects. From May 3rd to 5th Cuba welcomes all those wanting to appreciate the touristic potential of the Island, its culture and the hospitality of Cuban people, all values on which we bet 27 years ago.
Live the fair with us, be part of the MeliaCuba experiences. Here you have the summary of the top moments of the opening day.
President and Vice-president of Meliá Hotels International take part in the Inauguration of FITCuba 2017
Gabriel Escarrer Julia, President of Melia Hotels International, Gabriel Escarrer Jaume, Vice-president and Gabriel Cánaves, Director of the Cuban Division, honored us with their presence in the inauguration of FITCuba 2017 along with Francisco Camps, General Subdirector of the company in the country.
The most important touristic event of the island takes place for the first time in the East side of the country , in the Playa Pesquero Hotel. The opening day received representatives from hotel brands, investors, tour operators and over 150 journalists from all over the world.
During the initial ceremony, the Cuban Minister of Tourism, Manuel Marrero Cruz, highlighted the potentiality of Holguin as a tourism destination , claiming that nowadays it is the province, where the higher quality/price relation levels are reached. Melia has two resorts here, Sol Río de Luna y Mares and Paradisus Río de Oro, this last one is recognized as one of the greatest facilities of the island.
Our President and Vicepresident finished their passage through the fair with a tour to the stands of the Cuban brands Cubanacan and Islazul.
Culture, the great protagonist
The cultural event of the inauguration highlighted the local artistic talent. The group Pro Danza and the Orquesta Sinfónica from Teatro Lírico de Holguín showed the cultural diversity of the Island, with the presentation of Cecilia Valdes, an emblematic play from the Cuban literature and also with the Oda de la Alegria , a universal song encouraging values like friendship and peace.
A few hours later the Romerias de Mayo had been inaugurated. This celebration has its origins in the Christian religion and it is great part of a trend in Holguin. Every year in May tradition and modernity mix to make the city of Holguin the capital of the Youg Art. A sample of the most representative of the national and international culture is performed in the festival and every artistic manifestation has place here. Two hundred young people from 28 countries join in 15 simultaneous events. This cultural marathon is perfect for those wanting to appreciate the best of the young art in Cuba.
Negotiation rounds begin at the hotel Playa Pesquero
After the initial ceremony the negotiation rounds were officially opened in the fair. Our team started very early receiving their partners in the block C 23 with a warm ‘’Ahora Cuba’’ welcome greeting.
Commercial agreements with Cuban hotel brands
The President Escarrer signed two agreements with the brands Gran Caribe and Islazul concerning the administration of 6 resorts in the city of Camaguey and Cienfuegos, before the celebration of the usual dinner of gala of the company, this time celebrated at the hotel Paradisus Rio de Oro.
With this action, Melia Cuba increases its presence in the center of the island and enhances the circuits segment , which potentiates the strategy developed at a national level in order to upgrade the services in the high quality travels.
In 2018 we will add 8 new hotels to our offer in Cienfuegos, Camaguey and Trinidad with a total of 931 rooms.
In the signing act were present Manuel Marrero Cruz, Cuban Tourism Minister; Eduardo Acosta de Arriba, President of the hotel group Gran Caribe; Neuris Barzaga Laffitte, President of the hotel group Islazul; Gabriel Escarrer Juliá, Founder and President of Meliá Hotels International; and Gabriel Escarrer Jaume, Vicepresident and Delegate Advisor.
A dinner to remember
The signing of the new agreements was followed by a glamorous dinner by the cozy pool of the hotel , where Maite Artieda , Director of Communication of the Cuban Division , informed about the company news for the seasons to come.
Our guests enjoyed a three course dinner by the lights of the candles, while they were captivated by a cultural show which reinforced the diversity of the art in the Island.
The MHI Vicepresident Gabriel Escarrer Jaume, thanked the Cuban Minister of Tourism Manuel Marrero for his support during these 27 years of Melia in Cuba and restate the commitment with the island now with the new expansion.
The first day of FITCuba 2017 finished to the beat of Cuban Son and with the performing of the Septeto Habanero in the surroundings of the Eco Resort located in ‘’this authentic and magic CUBA , Tierra Adentro’’
