Political Bureau member and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz heads the Cuban delegation that will attend the World Summit of Governments, to be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The event, to be held from February 12 to 14, is a global platform for the exchange of knowledge that, based on innovation and technology, explores the agenda of the governments of the future.
In transit to the Arab nation, Marrero Cruz participated Thursday in the annual event of the Confederation of Tourism Organizations of Latin America (Cotal), which was held at the Embassy of the Greater Antilles in France. There he thanked the presidency of this entity for having chosen Cuba as host of the meeting.
While talking with tour operators, representatives of airlines and travel agencies that market our tourist destination, the Head of Government said that our country faces many challenges in the sector, which it will be able to overcome if it has the support and collaboration of partners such as the participants in this Cotal event.
Likewise, he explained that tourism in Cuba is progressively recovering, but not at the pace we would like, as this is affected by the unjust blockade imposed by the U.S. government and the absurd inclusion of Cuba in the list of countries sponsoring terrorism. He added that the ban on travel to Cuba for U.S. citizens is still in place, which has a negative impact on the destination.
Despite this complex scenario, France ranked as the seventh largest tourism issuer to the Greater Antilles last year, with a growth of almost 25% compared to 2022 (10,000 more tourists). This result ratifies the French market as a fundamental issuer for our country.
The Prime Minister took advantage of the meeting to invite participants to attend the International Tourism Fair (FITCuba 2024), which will be held from May 2 to 5, at Jardines del Rey, and will have the Latin American and Caribbean region as guest of honor. Finally, he ratified that "Cuba will continue to be an authentic country that offers enriching experiences to all those who visit it".
In the coming days, Marrero Cruz will complete a work agenda in the UAE, which includes an intense program of bilateral exchanges with high-level Emirati authorities, as well as with heads of state and government attending the World Summit. His visit to the Gulf country will allow further progress in economic, trade and cooperation relations between the two countries.
The Cuban delegation also includes Eduardo Martínez Díaz, Minister of Science, Technology and Environment; Antonio Rodríguez Rodríguez, President of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources, as well as representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, and Foreign Affairs.
