During ITB 2024, continued growth in German tourists visiting Cuba is expected.
As indicated by specialised travel platforms, the favoured holiday pursuits for German travellers involve sightseeing monuments and castles, indulging in local product tastings and purchases, cycling, and relishing coastal attractions. Considering these inclinations, Cuba stands out as an optimal destination for them, with statistical data presenting encouraging indicators. At the conclusion of 2023, Germans secured the sixth position among international visitors to the island, with the tally escalating from 58,715 in 2022 to 69,475 German tourists the preceding year.
Orlando Ramos Blanco, director of the Cuban Tourism Office in Berlin, underscored the continuing trend of steady and incremental recovery seen thus far in 2024, with Germany ascending to fifth place. He also stressed the challenge of attaining a 26% increase compared to 2023 for the current year. "The expansion of Condor's direct flights, featuring the introduction of the Airbus A330neo, holds particular significance," he added.
With this goal in sight, a delegation from Cuba, led by María del Carmen Orellana Alvarado, the first deputy minister of Tourism, is slated to participate in ITB Berlin 2024. The delegation will comprise representatives from domestic tour operators, specialized travel agencies, and hotel chains such as Cubanacán, Grupo Gaviota, Gran Caribe, Islazul, and Campismo, alongside international chains like Meliá, Iberostar, Muthus, Blue Diamond, Barceló, ROC, Kempinski, Archipelago, ATG, and Valentín.
"This extensive and diverse assembly will primarily serve to showcase the extent of recovery, operational capability, vitality, and relevance of Cuban tourism on the grandest stage of the global tourism industry. ITB Berlin 2024 presents the ideal platform to spotlight the advantages, richness, diversity, and innovations of the island's tourism offerings, with a focus on integrated programs, domestic circuits, and offerings in other modalities such as nautical, historical-cultural, nature-based, and MICE tourism."
With over 180 travel destinations represented and the attendance of tourism professionals, predominantly high-level executives wielding significant purchasing power and decision-making authority, the German capital will host this gathering from March 5 to 7.
"Undoubtedly, the primary focus of promotion for this edition will be FITCuba 2024, the foremost event in Cuban tourism, set to occur in Jardines del Rey from May 2 to 5, and dedicated to Latin America and the Caribbean," added Ramos Blanco.
During ITB Berlin, the Caribbean island's tourism sector will showcase recently inaugurated or renovated facilities such as Hotel Grand Aston Varadero, Hotel Innside Catedral, and Hotel Sevilla in Havana; Vila Galé Cayo Paredón, Meliá Trinidad Península in Trinidad, and Sol Turquesa Beach in Holguín. Additionally, the emerging destinations of Cayo Paredón and Cayo Cruz, situated north of Ciego de Ávila and Camagüey, respectively, will be highlighted, alongside the ongoing development of Varadero and Jardines del Rey as premier Cuban tourist destinations.
"Given its international renown, professional prestige, extensive reach, and the outcomes of negotiations, the participation and visibility of the Cuban destination at this event hold significant importance," emphasized the director of the Berlin Tourism Office.
Presently, German tourists primarily access Cuba via direct flights operated by Condor Flugdienst GmbH from Frankfurt Airport to Varadero, Havana, and Holguín. "Others utilize regular routes, albeit with the inconvenience of layovers in major European capital cities." In this regard, "ITB Berlin 2024 also presents an exceptional opportunity to engage in discussions with key executives from German airlines, fostering stronger commercial ties and exploring options for increased flight frequency to the destination's primary tourist hubs."
German tourists planning to visit Cuba will be required to obtain a tourist card (visa) prior to their travels. This essential document can be conveniently obtained through the official provider website www.visacuba.com. By securing the tourist card in advance, German travellers can ensure a smooth and hassle-free entry into Cuba, allowing them to fully enjoy their Cuban adventures without any delays or complications.