CubaPLUS Magazine

FITCuba is the most important event of the Cuban tourist industry. Its objective is the promotion of Cubás attractions as a tourist destination to different types of travellers. This edition celebrates its 34th year from May 6 to 19 in Havana, at Parque Morro Cabaña (Morro Cabaña Park), declared by Unesco as Patrimony of Humanity.

Filled with surprises and innovations, FITCuba 2014 will be dedicated to the Cuban capital, a destination for thousands of visitors who want to get to know this amazing metropolis where dreams and emotions come alive. In spite of its five centuries, Havana continues to be a city of encounters and good auspices.

This year guided tours will show their level of excellence. This type of tourism is multi-faceted and offers variety. The countryás geographical characteristics such as its long and wide landscape offer advantages for those who want to combine more than one tour in the same trip.

The distribution of the principal places of interest of the country are relatively close thus allowing the traveller to enjoy a variety of activities and special events across the country.

Tourist attractions can be counted by the thousands in Cuba and include elements of nature, history, culture as well as social, economic, folkloric, artistic, sportive, religious and scientific-technical events. In 16 main tourist regions are the majority of the attractions of the country, namely: Havana, Varadero, Jardines del Rey, north of Camaguuml;ey, north of Holguín, Santiago de Cuba, the Southcentral Coast and Archipelago of the Canarreos.

Cuba has more than 300 beaches considered among the best in the Carribean and in the world and part of them are set up to be touristic sites. Their sands are thin and their colors originate from corals, giving them their unique appearance. The more than four thousand keys and islets that surround the Island constitute a special attraction and bathing in its beaches is a gift of nature. The beach and sun getaway, the principal tourist vocation of our country, is a fundamental element and a key component of success for the guided tours.

Some of Cubarsquo;s cities are among the most ancient of the continent and constitute valuable historical-cultural attractions. The first seven towns were founded on the Island: Our Lady of Asunción de Baracoa (1511), San Salvador de Bayamo (1513), Santísima Trinidad, Santa Maria del Puerto Principe, the current city of Camaguuml;ey and Sancti Spíritus (1514), Santiago de Cuba (1515) and Havana (1519).

Other places declared by Unesco as Patrimony of Humanity are Colón the historical center of Havana and its forts (1982), the town of Trinidad and the Valle de los Ingenios (1988), the Castle of San Pedro de la Roca del Morro (1997), the National Park Desembarco del Granma (1999), the Viñales Valley (1999), the archaeological scenery of the first plantations of coffee in southeast Cuba (2000), the National Park Alejandro de Humboldt (2001), the French Grave, Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity (2003), the historical center of the city of Cienfuegos (2006) and the historical center of the city of Camaguuml;ey (2009).

In the past few years, the demand for active tourism has shown notable growth. Guided tours constitute Cubás response to this market demand, with the intention of perfecting the existing ones and introducing new forms. In addition, FITCuba 2014 will have France as guest of honor, a country rich in cultural diversity. Its gastronomy, considered one of top of the world, is part of Unescós List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2010.

The invitation to FITCuba 2014 is openhellip;an event sure to be full of new meetings and fruitful opportunities for those who attend.