Venezuela, Cuba Strengthen Economic Ties at Tourism Fair

Venezuela and Cuba are currently strengthening their economic ties in the framework of the International Tourism Fair in Venezuela (FITVEN), Cuban Deputy Tourism Minister Mayra Alvarez told Prensa Latina.

'We will soon update and renew agreements on which we have worked for several years, strengthening relations between our peoples and governments through a sector that stimulates the economy,' Alvarez said during an exclusive interview.

About this issue, the deputy minister announced, among the fundamental items discussed at FITVEN, the training and sharing of experiences, and the connectivity of several destinations between Cuba, Venezuela and other countries in the region.

As part of FITVEN, the Cuban delegation met with representatives of Venezuelan travel agencies and participated in the business forum, where a renovated Cuba as a tourist destination and the attractions of the eastern region of the country were presented.

The Cuban representative also emphasized the recovery of hotels and extra-hotel facilities after Hurricane Irma in September 2017.

Alvarez is presiding over a seminar dedicated to special development areas to present the opportunities of the first such projects in Cuba in Mariel, in the western province of Artemisa.

'Through our updated Authentic Cuba campaign, the Ministry of Tourism focuses on promoting not only a sun and beach destination, but also culture, heritage, history and nature, as part of the country's potential,' she said.

'We bet on the development of new facilities and heritage buildings with few rooms, but in the major cities, such as Cienfuegos, Villa Clara and Santiago de Cuba,' she said.