Canadians maintain preference for Cuba as a tourist destination
Havana, Jul 11 (RHC) The Spanish-language newspaper Correo Canadiense confirmed that tourists from Canada continue today with their eyes set on Cuba, for many reasons, including its tranquility and its beauties.
One of its most recent publications in this regard explains that Canadian tourism was for decades, and starting in the 1980s, the main issuer of international visitors to Cuba. In 1985, 40 727 out of 243 026 international tourists came from that country.
From 1994, the date on which the Cuban Ministry of Tourism (Mintur) was created, until 2021, the authorities reported 18 million 348 thousand 48 arrivals of Canadians.
Meanwhile, at the end of August 2022, when the accumulated number of international visitors to the country reached 971,455 visitors, Canadian tourists with a 30.7 percent participation, occupied the first position with 298,410 arrivals.
The newspaper insists that Canadian tourists like Cuba because, unlike in some Caribbean destinations, they feel safer enjoying magnificent beaches, staying in hotels managed by Canadian companies or participating in a rich cultural life, in addition to the fact that Cubans appear to them as unique and hospitable people.
A specialized opinion in this regard is provided by Professor Hilary Becker, from Carleton University in Ottawa, who recently participated in the 16th International Seminar on Journalism and Tourism held in Havana and organized by the Union of Cuban Journalists.
The academic considered it possible to capitalize on the good will resulting from the service provided by Cuban health professionals in the fight against Covid-19, as well as developing smart tourism destinations, using artificial intelligence and identifying environmental offers.
Becker highlighted the tourism model in Cuba that places the local community at the center of the process, promotes empowerment, well-being and a sense of belonging, which is committed to preserving culture, heritage and identity.
For the Canadian professor as well as for the 70 journalists and specialists from 10 nations who attended the aforementioned seminar, the most relevant values for the recovery of tourism in Cuba are its beauty, the friendliness of the people, the growing infrastructure and, above all, the security. (Source: PL)
