The president of the Venezuelan Consortium of Aeronautical Industries and Air Services (Conviasa), Ramón Celestino Velásquez, reported through his Twitter account that the company will link Havana with the state of Falcón, in the northwest of the South American country.

He indicated that these commercial flights will allow “to consolidate integration, cultural, commercial and tourist exchange between two sister peoples. Let’s keep moving forward!” he pointed out.

According to the audiovisual that accompanies the tweet, Conviasa will leave Falcón every Saturday at 11:00 a.m., local time, with scheduled arrival in the Cuban capital at 2:00 p.m.

The return will be with departure from the José Martí international airport in Havana at 10:00 local time, and arrival in Venezuela at 1:00 p.m.

(Taken from Latin Press)

Tourism authorities and entities that contribute in some way to the performance of the sector, reviewed every aspect of plans to offer safe, hygienic, high quality services.

For this winter period, all facilities in the area have been certified to operate under conditions marked, at a planetary level, by the battle against COVID-19.

“At this stage of the pandemic, no lamentable transmission events in the tourism sector have occurred here, definitive evidence of the effort made by workers and management,” stated Ivis Fernández Peña, Ministry of Tourism representative in Matanzas.

She referred to the importance of protecting a sector of such weight in the national economy and assured that today in Varadero, one of the country’s most popular sun and sand destinations, a climate of total security, peace and hygiene reigns.

These are values that distinguish Cuban tourism and make our resorts among the most attractive and prestigious on the planet, she said, noting that the experience and professionalism of workers in the sector have been essential to adapting to the new scenario.

“Varadero is now open to the world with hygienic measures in place that guarantee the safety of customers, and provide better comfort in facilities,” she said.

Fernández noted that this reopening features new products in four hotel groups, as well as improvements and expansion of various services for tourists, responding to the most frequent concerns raised by visitors.

In particular, she commented, clients will appreciate progress made in the physical environment, communications, and other areas that have an immediate impact on the quality of services, both within hotels and extra-hotel facilities.

She specified that a series of measures have been implemented that allow internet connectivity via Wifi in all areas of hotel facilities, including the beach, one of the most common requests of visitors.

“On the list of good news appears the fact that, this winter season, all four and five star facilities among our hotels will be open, although, in this first stage, the numbers of international vacationers will be modest,” Fernandez stated.

She added that this would be the case given the logical uneasiness among travelers, caused by the new coronavirus around the world, but that visits should gradually increase as clients express appreciation of the warm welcomes, the friendly and professional attention, and secure health environment they enjoy in Varadero.

For experts in the field, the most important focus is to provide clients a safe, comfortable stay, to think innovation, with creativity and attention to detail, while emphasizing our Cuban identity.

Among renovations recently completed is the re-designed downtown boulevard, located between 62nd and 64th streets in the central historical district, a novelty with multiple and varied recreational and cultural attractions that should arouse the admiration of visitors taking a walk along the Playa Azul.

Other investment projects that confirm the development potential of the resort include capital repairs at the Plaza America Convention Center, Josone Park, known as Varadeo’s Green Jewel, and the Xanadu Mansion.

Juan Gualberto Gómez International Airport, the second most important in the country, was also ready to receive its first travelers, with all biosecurity measures established for COVID-19 in place, assured its general director José Antonio García Manso.

He noted that his confidence was based on a recent trial run of sanitary protocols at the airport, which include the administration of PCR testing by the facility’s health team to all crew members and travelers arriving at the terminal.

Intent on taking all precautions, routine processes have undergone dozens of adjustments, including “redesigning passenger routing, disinfecting surfaces and reducing the possibility of contact with doors, handles and physical barriers,” among other preventative measures, García reported.

Another group playing an important role in tourism here are transportation providers. According to Raul Enrique Cruz Hernandez, director of Transtur, drivers view this new stage as a challenge and are prepared to offer safe, quality service.

The fleet, including more than 400 vehicles, is one of the largest in the country at a single base and is able to assume the demands of the normally busy tourist season, he said.

The tourism sector in Varadero has made a special effort these last few months welcoming national clients to its installations, with attractive offers and services, and is opening its doors to the world, with the distinctive air that characterizes the resort, where hygiene is now the number one priority, while promoting the participation of national industry and continuing to defend excellence in all services.

(Taken from Granma)

The official opening this September 14 of the new Hotel Meliá Internacional in Varadero, which was attended by Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, was one of the most anticipated events in the country’s tourism industry.

In spite of the enemies of the Revolution, the new installation reveals, above all, the vitality of the country and confirms the certainty that, despite the difficult economic situation caused by the U.S. blockade, we are alive and well, insisted Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, at the opening ceremony, reported Presidencia.gob.cu.

With a total of 946 rooms, the five-star facility is equipped with the latest technology, has several restaurants and swimming pools, and cafes, as well as the iconic Continental Cabaret and a modern Convention Center.

(Granma)

Cuba came in behind Grace Bay (Turks and Caicos Islands), and Baia Do Sancho in Brazil, on the list of the 25 best beaches on the planet.

The rankings were decided based on the opinions of millions of users from different countries collected over the last 12 months, who highlighted the security, beauty and crystal clear waters of Cuba’s number one beach resort.

Just a couple of months after Hurricane Irma hit the island, the famous beach resort was up and running again.

The award also confirms Varadero’s popularity among national and international tourists alike, as well as being a safe place for visitors.

In 2017, Cuba received over four million international tourists, while Varadero – home to 52 hotels and an international airport – saw a record 1,700,000 visitors, thus egistering over one million for the 10th year in a row.

To this must be added the fact that Cuba was named “the safest country for tourism” this past January during the 38th International Tourism Fair, in Madrid, Spain.

However, despite meeting international sector standards and receiving global recognition, the U.S government is continuing to advise its citizens to “reconsider” traveling to the island.

Cuba currently carries a level three travel advisory from the U.S. State Department, which suggests citizens “reconsider travel” to the country, given that “we believe U.S. citizens may…be at risk.” Such claims stand in stark contrast to the safety and positive views of Cuba held by millions of visitors, including countless U.S. citizens.

Meanwhile, the island continues to be the only country in the world to which U.S. citizens are prohibited by law from visiting as tourists. However, despite these restrictions and policy changes made by the current U.S. administration toward Cuba, over 600,000 citizens from that nation visited the island last year.

(Granma)

Located on one of the best beaches in the world, the elegant Premium Gold five-star rated resort is set among lush tropical grounds, has five swimming pools, an enormous water park, and offers a variety of sporting and recreational activities.

According to Juan Gabriel Pujol, director general of the new establishment, what sets Bella Vista Varadero apart is its professional and experienced staff. “The main challenge is to position ourselves as Cuba’s leading hotel. This is our aim, because we have a genuinely good product and know that Iberostar Varadero must be the first flagship hotel to achieve this position.”

The water park at the new Iberostar hotel is one of the biggest in Varadero. Photo: Katheryn Felipe
The executive highlighted the most “exclusive part of the fifth hotel managed by Iberostar in Varadero” – a gourmet restaurant located on the top floor of the new establishment, with stunning panoramic views and gastronomical offers catering to guests staying in the hotel’s 65 luxury rooms, or customers who prefer a private dining experience.

Meanwhile, according to Pujol, Bella Vista, the tallest hotel in Varadero, has tried to break with the customary aesthetic of facilities at this resort, with a white, minimalist design and façade featuring 45 different colors, as visitors to Cuba come to enjoy the island’s vibrancy and warmth.

The director also highlighted that Iberostar has placed great focus on its gastronomic offers, one of the chain’s three key pillars. “Regarding the restoration, our hotels have been reaching a level that only certain private businesses could reach and we intend to continue advancing in the diversification process,” he added.

According to the young Spaniard: “We really want to create, innovate, and produce different products and exploit the opportunity to build logically. For us every client, regardless of their nationality, is important. We also want Cuba’s domestic market to learn about us and know that they now have a new hotel in Varadero that aims to exceed its clients’ expectations.”

Rooms are renowned for their comfort and modern tasteful design. Photo: Courtesy of Iberostar.
In this same vein, Iberostar representative on the island, Mateo Caldentey, reiterated that the country, which he described as “the most beautiful island in the Caribbean,” has enormous natural, cultural, and heritage potential, as well as a safe and happy environment; noting that the building of the Bella Vista hotel, undertaken by the construction company Almest and Gaviota Tourism Group, reflects the increasing quality and development potential of the sector.

“This potential has already seen success at a national and international level. As well as ensuring the quality of its products, Iberostar relies on the high-level of educational training and knowledge that Cubans possess,” he noted.

With a key focus on “quality, quality, quality,” Caldentey explained that Iberostar is set to solidify its relationship with its commercial partner AT commercial, the Caribbean Hotel Services logistics entity based in the Mariel Special Development Zone.

It is worth noting that this year, during which Cuba is set to receive over 4,200,000 visitors, Varadero continues to be one of the most popular tourist resorts.

With some 20,000 rooms across 50 hotels, in 2016 the beach resort located in the province of Matanzas received over one million visitors for the ninth consecutive year.

It should also be mentioned that the Varadero Iberostar Hotel recently received its Certification from the Quality Management System for Accommodation and Restoration Services, the company’s first establishment of this kind in Cuba, and Varadero, to receive such a distinction.

Iberostar Varadero is the only hotel on the Hicacos Peninsula with a mini aqua park and kids club, where children are looked after by specially trained personnel, while their parents enjoy the hotel’s other services.

IBEROSTAR EXPANDING IN CUBA

Established in Cuba almost 25 years ago, the company currently manages facilities in Havana, Cayo Largo del Sur, Varadero, Trinidad and the keys in the provinces of Villa Clara and Ciego de Ávila.

According to Caldentey, the chain hopes to be managing 25 hotels in Cuba by 2025, in collaboration with three national entities: Gran Caribe, Cubanacán and Gaviota.

Iberostar is set to take over the management of one of Gaviota’s Premium Gold five star, 600 room, hotels in Playa Pesquero, Holguín; the Colonial Hotel in Cayo Coco; as well as the Casa Granda, Imperial and Gran hotels, located in Santaigo de Cuba’s city center and affiliated with the Cubanacán Gorup.

The Iberostar representative noted that Cubanacán has begun construction on another five-star hotel, the Iberostar Albatros, on Guardalavaca, another of Holguín’s beaches, an important tourist destination on the island.

Meanwhile, Caldentey also mentioned the Hotel Riviera on Havana’s famous Malecón, which has been managed by Iberostar since January, and is set to be upgraded to a Premium Gold five-star establishment, with 352 newly renovated rooms, while its offers and services will be adjusted to meet the chain’s quality standards.

The renovations and hotel openings being undertaken by Iberostar in Cuba are part of a new modality offered by the Ministry of Tourism to sector partners, allowing them to both manage and carryout investments on establishments.

Regarding the company’s operations in Havana, Caldentey mentioned the inauguration this year of the Hotel Packard, located on Prado and Malecón streets, and included in Iberostar’s exclusive Grand Collection; while the company is also set to take over the management of another three hotels in the Cuban capital, in addition to the five it currently manages in Varadero.

The international hotel chain, founded in Palma de Mallorca, forms part of the Iberostar Group, one of Spain’s leading tourist entities, with over 60 years of experience and 100 four and five star hotels worldwide.

(Granma)