CubaPLUS Magazine

Weddings are increasingly becoming a popular tourism modality. It's estimated that approximately 340,000 nuptial ceremonies are held worldwide each year, attended not only by the bride and groom but also by family and numerous friends.

Cuba is actively promoting this modality, aspiring to become a premier wedding destination thanks to its diverse natural, historical, and cultural attractions.

Diana Beatriz Olivera, General Director of Cubatur, stated in a press conference this Thursday that the island nation aims to establish itself as a leading wedding destination, a goal achievable given its many assets.

In line with this objective, the iconic Hotel Nacional de Cuba will host the second edition of Expobodas (2025) from September 4th to 6th. The event anticipates around 150 participants, including wedding planners, tour operators, specialized agencies, service providers, and other professionals involved in this segment, primarily from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Cuba.

Cubatur, the organizing agency for the event, is preparing a package that includes a Nautical Wedding, in coordination with Marinas Marlin. This option allows couples to celebrate their marriage on a catamaran in the open sea, travel on it to a beachfront location, or even marry underwater, according to their preferences, for which the necessary conditions are available, she explained.

According to Olivera, around 60 Cuban exhibitors will participate in the event, along with Mónica Restrepo (Colombia), General Director of the Forever Wedding Summit, a renowned institution for Spanish-speaking wedding professionals, who will share her expertise in destination weddings.

Olivera further illustrated the potential of this modality in terms of revenue, noting that the Americas alone generates $50 billion annually from weddings. Each nuptial ceremony can cost as much as $28,000, depending on the services selected, highlighting its significance.

Finally, she pointed out that despite the economic challenges facing the country, Cuba boasts an enviable tourism landscape with well-preserved natural sites, heritage landmarks, and cultural attractions that are in high demand.