The Secretary General of Tourism at the UN, Zurab Pololikashvili, described as "stupid" those Cuban civil society activists and disenchanted tourists who call not to travel to Cuba.
This was expressed during the exchange held this Tuesday between members of the Cuban government and directors of UN tourism, regional ministers of the sector and businessmen from Latin America and the Caribbean, according to the NTV.
“If today or yesterday, some (forgive me the word) stupid person says that we shouldn't go to Cuba, well that's why we are here: to tell everyone that they have to come. That's how it is. Cuba is one of the safest countries I have visited,” Pololikashvili said in the halls of the Palace of the Revolution.
With crime, criminality and violence rates skyrocketing in Cuba, alarms are beginning to sound in travel agencies and specialized media in the tourism sector that warn tourists that security levels in Cuba are no longer what they were.
Added to this is the decline of the sector on the Island, where the economic crisis, the pandemic and mismanagement have led to the worst figures in the history of international tourism in recent times.
Last but not least in the perception of Cuba as a safe destination for tourism, is the fact that in recent years the growing popular protests have highlighted the dictatorial regime that violates human rights that prevails in Cuba, a reality that spoils the country's natural beauties.
The generalized crisis, the deterioration of hotel infrastructure, the shortage of food, the lack of hygiene in the streets (and even in the rooms for tourists), the migratory exodus that has impacted qualified personnel, the ruin of public services ( including transportation and public health) also contribute to spreading the perception of Cuba as an unattractive and safe country for international tourism.
The activists who alert international public opinion to this situation have been called “stupid” by the Secretary General of UN Tourism, a Georgian official who has held high positions in the government of his country and who has been a diplomat.
In charge of that United Nations office since 2018, Pololiskashvili has held various senior positions in the public and private sectors.
After graduating in banking, he gained extensive experience in the private sector, holding a prominent position in one of the largest banks in his country and being CEO of the country's main football team, FC Dinamo Tbilisi.
After a year as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, he was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to Spain, Andorra, Algeria and Morocco in 2006 and subsequently, between 2009 and 2010, he was Minister of Economic Development of his country. As such, Pololikashvili oversaw the development of Georgia's tourism.
At the end of 2021, Member States met in Madrid for the twenty-fourth General Assembly and voted for him to renew his mandate as Secretary General.
This Tuesday he managed to achieve even more merits under the complicit gaze of Manuel Marrero Cruz and Miguel Diaz-Canel.
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