Like every year for the past 26 years, the International Tourism Fair in Cuba gives us a warm welcome filled with emotion and commitment like it was the very first edition of this event in the great Caribbean Island. This time, on its 37th edition, the big meeting which gathers professionals from over 53 nations will ocurr in Holguin, where two of our hotels are placed, Paradisus Rio de Oro and Sol Rio de Luna y Mares.
Because with every edition increases our love to this country and its beautiful people we always treasure very good memories from “the fair”, like we use to call it.
That is what we want to tell you about today, a re-telling of those special memories, specifically from the year 2015 and 2016, when we were headquarters of the event in the very center of the archipelago Jardines del Rey. These are 6 things to remember at FitCuba!
FITCuba 2015
Official opening of Melia Jardines del Rey Resort
In 2015 took place at Melia Jardines del Rey the 35th edition of the International Tourism Fair in Cuba and in addition to that context the opening of 1176 rooms at that same facility.This inauguration was the biggest one at Melia Hotels International in the world. The ceremony was leaded by the Cuban Tourism Minister and other important guests like our founder and President Gabriel Escarrer Julia, Gabriel Escarrer Jaume and Gabriel Canaves were also part of the init.
25 years and counting!
We also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the company in Cuba with a very emotive night starting with a cocktail and followed by an elegant dinner. The well-known Aragon orchestra , accompanied by the great Cuban singer Emilia Morales closed the evening. Our managers Gabriel Escarrer Julia and Gabriel Escarrer Jaume were in attendance of the ceremony along with important figures of the Cuban tourism, tour operators, hotel brands and founding employees.
The International Hotel in Varadero will be Melia
The announcement travelled the world in a tweet during the 35th edition of the Fair. ‘’The International Hotel in Varadero will be Melia’s’’. The agreement with the hotel brand Gran Caribe, which allowed Melia the administration of the iconic International Hotel created the foundations to new operations in the new 934 rooms Melia International Hotel in 2019. The action brought back to the memory of many the golden age of the facility back in the 50’s.
FITCuba 2016
Tryp Habana Libre, headquarter of the World Tourism Organization’s regional Forum
The newly renovated Salon de los Embajadores of the Tryp Habana Libre hotel , received the delegates of the LX Regional Forum of the World Tourism for the Americas , simultaneously with the 36th edition of the International Tourism Fair in Cuba. The event was leaded by the General Secretary of the World Tourism Organization Taleb Rifai and attended by goverment representatives from 26 countries , with the presence of 15 Tourism Ministers among them.
Paradisus Varadero’s Family Concierge announcement
The negotiation hours of FITCUBA 2016 were the proper context to announce the Family Concierge, a Premium service for families , which would start operating in the hotel a few months later. The new section gives a genuine Paradisus experience to the families. Its distinctive feature is the personalized attention given by a Concierge or a butler in the Family Suites. An authentic hotel inside the hotel, which puts private reception areas , bars and restaurants, free Internet access and other services at the client’s disposal.
WTO’s Secretary and Cuban Tourism Minister at the #MeliaCuba cocktail
Once again, the versatile Salon de los Embajadores hosted the cocktail devoted to our commercial partners, an event decorated at the Cuban style and ornamented with great drinks and creole style appetizers.
The Cuban Tourism Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz and the WTO Secretary shared the night with the other guests.
The 36th Edition of the International Tourism Fair in Cuba closed with great honors and in the eve of FITCUBA 2017 we remember these six moments filled with joy and care, moments which turned us into part and main characters of the Cuban Tourism history.
We are ready for the 37th Edition! Would you join us?
