Havana, September 24 (RHC)-- The 12th International Nature Tourism Event (TURNAT 2019) opened Tuesday with activities planned at the Zapata Swamp, Sancti Spiritus and Cienfuegos provinces, all in the south-central Cuban region.

The event, running through September 28th, gathers 176 ecotourism experts, managers, travel agents, tour operators and specialized media from 18 countries.

Organized by the ECOTUR SA Travel Agency, the Ministry of Tourism and the Cuba Travel Business Group, TURNAT 2019 aims to promote Cuba as a nature, adventure tourist destination.

Hiking, ecotourism and fluvial tours, bird watching, canopy, diving, sport fishing and for the first time kayak crossing, are among the activities to be enjoyed by participants from Canada, the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, Spain, Portugal, UK, France, Germany, Russia, China, Australia, Italy, Peru, Colombia, Haiti, Panama and Cuba.

The program also includes conferences, a commercial exchange for the participants to show their nature tourism offers, and the celebration of the International Tourism Day on September 27 under the motto: “Turismo y empleo: un futuro mejor para todos” (“Tourism and employment: a better future for all”).