Tourism Minister Juan Carlos García Granda announced that Cuba is close to seeing its first hotels built and operated by Russian companies, an initiative that is part of efforts to increase foreign investment on the island.
During an interview with the Russian agency TASS, García Granda emphasized that the tourism sector has experience in establishing joint ventures and attracting foreign investment, and underscored the importance of involving Russia in these initiatives.
"We are very close to the construction of the first hotels in Cuba by Russian entrepreneurs," he stated during his recent visit to Moscow, adding that, in addition, they are considering transferring the management of some existing hotels to companies from the Eurasian nation.
In this regard, García Granda confirmed that negotiations are underway to finalize those projects, which are currently in the study phase and could begin soon.
This step would also enhance air connectivity between both countries, which currently restricts the arrival of Russians in Cuba. It is worth noting that in mid-October, the Russian airline Rossiya resumed its direct flights to Havana, which García Granda described as "a positive development."
Despite these efforts, the minister admitted that Cuba will not meet its target of welcoming 200,000 Russian tourists this year, setting a new goal for 2025.
As of September 30, the figure stood at 141,615, a number that falls short of official expectations, according to 14yMedio, which also warned about the impossibility of meeting the plans to receive 2.7 million visitors in 2024.
In July, officials from the hotel group Gaviota informed Canadian tour operators about the opening of new hotels in the coming months on the island, reported the travel portal Travel Week, which specializes in tourism and travel.
The site reports that the Gaviota group is working eagerly on the destinations of Havana, Varadero, Cayo Santa María, and Holguín, while also paying attention to other tourist areas of the island.
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