CubaPLUS Magazine

The goal of Viajes Cubanacán at FIT América Latina 2026 in Buenos Aires is to show that tourism in Cuba is alive and that the resources needed to ensure visitors enjoy their holidays are in place, said the agency’s general director, Yadismir Saavedra.

After four intensive days, the International Tourism Fair of Argentina concluded on Tuesday. The first two days were open to the public and drew a record number of visitors, while the final two were devoted to working sessions for tourism industry professionals.

Saavedra was one of two executives who traveled specifically to Buenos Aires for the event. The other was Ernesto Pérez Velázquez, deputy director of Cubatur, Cuba’s oldest inbound tour operator, with more than 60 years of experience bringing visitors to the island.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, FIT América Latina has become the leading tourism fair in the Americas and one of the five largest in the world.

“Viajes Cubanacán’s main goal is to show that Cuba is alive and open to the world. Unfortunately, the aggressive campaign waged by the U.S. government against everything the island does, particularly its tourism industry, has affected us greatly,” Saavedra told Prensa Latina.

According to the latest report by the Center for the Study of the Cuban Economy (CEEC), visitor arrivals to the island fell by 58 percent from January to May this year, totaling just 360,000. This represented 16 percent of the pre-COVID-19 pandemic level, the report said.

By the end of that period, 70 percent of hotel facilities remained closed, while some 25,000 workers were available for reassignment, the economic research center added.

“Taking part in FIT 2026 is a way of stepping forward, as Cuba has done at each of the fair’s previous 29 editions. We have been able to show the Argentine public directly that Cuba is open to everyone, with hotels operating and its main destinations welcoming visitors,” the executive said.

Cubanacán provides tourists with all their transfers and ensures they can enjoy Cuba’s rich cuisine, culture, distinctive character, and traditional hospitality, with the aim of encouraging them to return once or more, Saavedra said.

He explained that the agency promotes and operates what are known as tour circuits, covering culture, history, and heritage, alongside the ever-popular sun-and-beach offering.

Cubanacán is also working with private agencies, restaurants, and transport providers, following the integration of new economic actors, including small and medium-sized private businesses. All are focused on developing and promoting tourism and achieving positive results for the country, he explained.

Another goal at FIT 2026 is to promote the Master Tour event, which is specifically aimed at tour guides and will take place from November 18 to 20, he added.

To that end, the agency held discussions with Argentine travel companies to encourage as many interested participants as possible to attend the forum, which is designed to develop an essential tourism resource: the tour guide, Saavedra said.

(Taken from Prensa Latina)