Havana, May 3, 2025 – This Saturday, the 7th Meeting of Ministers and High-Level Authorities on Tourism of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – Peoples’ Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) began in Havana, Cuba.

The Executive Secretary of the Alliance, Jorge Arreaza, opened the event through a video message highlighting the significance of the meeting within the framework of the 2025 International Tourism Fair (FITCuba).

“The aim of our countries is to make progress through concrete actions. We hope that this meeting will result in a document that fosters tangible advancement in the tourism sector,” he stated.

He added that air and maritime connectivity is a major issue for tourism among ALBA countries, as well as the multi-destination approach, and affirmed that this would be a significant step toward shared tourism within the Alliance.

“The ALBA brand as a tourism destination must be positioned and unified, so that the richness and diversity of its tourism offerings become widely known, along with a manual of best tourism practices that we can share based on our various experiences.”

He proposed organizing an ALBA-TCP Tourism Fair, where the invited countries can showcase their potential and landscapes, allowing them to gain visibility in a turbulent world while presenting a new vision in the face of those who seek to undermine the region’s nations.

During the opening session, Cuba’s Minister of Tourism, Juan Carlos García Granda, stated that the island continues to provide space for such gatherings despite the blockade affecting the country. Nevertheless, he emphasized that they possess the strength that defines them and the support of the Alliance’s member countries.

“In a world in crisis, solidarity and collaboration are more important than ever. We must aim for strategies that transform tourism into a global driver and the main force behind Caribbean integration,” he noted.
“We can present ourselves to the world as the most significant tourism destination in the fight against climate change. Fidel’s dream is also ours—to showcase our coasts, among other things,” he emphasized.
He explained that they will continue to pursue high-quality tourism. “Our model promotes the presentation of a cultural offering. We have made strides in expanding our tourism products, in training tourism personnel, and in diversifying the overall experience.”