FITCuba 2023 is the most important professional event in the Cuban tourism industry. In this article, you will learn more about this event.

What is FITCuba?

The International Tourism Fair is the most significant professional event held annually by the Cuban tourism industry. The current edition of FITCuba 2023 will be held from May 1 to 5 in Havana, a city that holds the title of Wonder City of the Modern World, a title awarded in 2016 by the Swiss foundation New7Wonders.

Its Historic Urban Center has been part of the Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 1982.

The venue of FITCuba 2023 receives thousands of visitors from all latitudes, who come to enjoy its cultural and patrimonial richness.

This year, the International Tourism Fair opens its doors to showcase the benefits of this tourist destination.

Origins of the International Tourism Fair
At the beginning of the second half of the 20th century, Cuba laid the foundations for the establishment of tourism with a social character, which would provide the opportunity to combine recreation and leisure in a healthy, enriching and instructive way. It is then that this activity begins to take shape given its sustainable development.

The year 1959 marks the beginning of Cuban tourism as we know it today: to promote the natural, cultural and historical attractions of the Island to leave behind the stigma that Cuba was a prolific site for vice and gambling. Work began on a new vision to restructure Cuba’s tourism system.

The first international event related to tourism in Cuba took place in Havana from October 17 to 24, 1959, and was the Ninth Convention of Tourism Agents (ASTA). More than 2,000 agents from 82 countries, accompanied by their families, visited the Cuban capital. These figures were unprecedented in the eight conventions previously held.

In 1963, the Empresa de Turismo Nacional e Internacional (ETNI) was founded, the direct antecedent of the Cubatur S.A. Travel Agency, in charge of taking care of the incipient tourism that was beginning to see the island as an interesting destination. It was not until 1980 that Cubatur convened the I Cubatur Travel Convention, held at the emblematic Habana Libre Hotel in the Cuban capital.

The event aroused international interest, attracting the participation of more than 300 delegates and representatives of more than 200 travel agencies from around the world.
Subsequently, the meeting began to achieve greater relevance and international acceptance. Since its inception, it has been held every year and alternated venues between Havana and the Varadero beach resort.

The event had several names: Cubatur Travel Convention, Travel Trade Show Cubatur, and Tourism Convention until it was finally called the International Tourism Fair of Cuba (FITCuba).

These annual meetings, based on debate and negotiation, have allowed Cuba’s tourism industry to follow truly flourishing steps since its beginnings. The International Tourism Fair has considerably boosted the plurality and quality of the products and services offered, which has had a favorable impact on the evident growth of vacationers’ arriving on the island.

From 2005 to 2011, the Morro-Cabaña Historical Park was the official venue of FITCuba. This complex, made up of the Castillo de los Tres Reyes Magos del Morro and the San Carlos de La Cabaña Fortress, is part of Havana’s system of fortifications and was declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982. During the event, in addition, a guest country is previously selected and dedicated to a specific tourism modality.

The Cuban Ministry of Tourism, the organizer of the event, as part of its strategic policy in the sector, decided to bring the International Tourism Fair closer to the destinations it wishes to promote. Thus, the Fair was held in 2012 in Cayo Santa María, in the province of Villa Clara; in 2013 in Varadero; in 2014 in Havana; in 2015 in Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo in Jardines del Rey. In 2016 the event was held again in Havana, the date on which it was declared a Wonder City.

In its 37th edition, in 2017, FITCuba took place in Holguín, having as its site the Pesquero Hotel in Guardalavaca; and in 2018, for being a region generously benefited by nature and the beauty of its beaches, the northern keys of Villa Clara are resumed as venue.

This year, in its 39th edition, FITCuba 2023 will be held at Morro-Cabaña Park, in Havana, and will focus on Cuban culture and heritage.

Conclusion

FITCuba 2023 is the most important event in the Cuban tourism industry. The Tourism Fair has managed to position itself as the main professional event of the Cuban tourism industry; becoming an ideal space for the contact between specialists, managers and tourism companies with a presence in Cuba.

Recommendation

In order to make the most of your experience on the island it is highly recommended to hire the services of a trustworthy taxi agency like CubaDriver.

CubaDriver is a reputable agency that specializes in providing private transportation services to tourists in Cuba. It offers a range of high-quality vehicles, including classic American cars, modern sedans and Vans for groups. Another reason to hire the services of this agency is that it offers a full guarantee of the best price in the market; if you find a better price the company will reimburse you.

In terms of safety, CubaDriver has a solid reputation for prioritizing the welfare of its clients. All its drivers undergo rigorous background checks and receive regular training in preventive driving techniques.

When you book your trip to FITCuba with CubaDriver, you can rest assured that you will be in good hands from start to finish. It can even help you plan your itinerary, suggesting the best places to visit based on your interests and budget.

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