Manuel Marrero Says Island's Tourism Growing

Varadero, Cuba, Jun 27 (ACN) Cuba's Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero said on Tuesday in Varadero Beach Resort that despite the recent announced policy of President Donald Trump, the island will continue growing and offering support to those that want tourism in the country.

Marrero, speaking to participants to the Varadero Gourmet event, praised the presence of the non-state sector and said that there are currently close to 2 thousand private restaurants and 22 thousand rooms in homes that rent. He said that the Tourism Ministry is one and will attend and support any management model as an example of living in harmony.

Marrero added that there is more participation of the private sector in the Cuban heritage cities. He stressed that the State is also constructing hotels in these cities.

The directive commented on the acceptance of other Bodeguita del Medio restaurants in the world and those in Varadero, Trinidad and Holguin. He also announced that Santiago de Cuba will also have an exclusive specialized installation with traditional Cuban food and beverages.

Varadero Gourmet is an event that offers tools to create, constitutes the scenario and school that contributes experiences to increase the quality of services in the tourism sector, said the Minister who offered a master conference on the art of mixing which initiated the international event.

Manuel Marrero informed that before initiating with the international event, a workshop was held with the main tourism actor, national and foreigners that work in Cuba, with a broad diagnosis of the main issues that affect the quality of the services with an action plan to improve each day.

He stressed that the sector must continue diversifying the culinary offers, each with its seal, each chef with its particularities, each bartender with its own touch, and culture of the bars must be rescued, and this is a country that contributes a lot in the international competitions of the bartenders' associations.

The Tourism Minister assisted in the inauguration of the 9th edition of the International Varadero Gourmet Festival underway in the Plaza America Convention Center in the Hicacos Peninsula, with the participation of 80 representatives from 16 countries and 43 exhibitors. The event will conclude on Friday.