The Cuban government will implement a new electronic visa system starting next May 6 and until June 30, official sources said.
The new measure will replace the current tourist card, which the regime requires of tourists who visit the island.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Tourism, Juan Carlos García Granda, when inaugurating the International Fair of the sector (FITCuba) that takes place in Jardines de Rey from this Thursday, May 2nd until next Sunday, May 5th.
According to García Granda cited by the official agency Latin Press, The new mechanism will be implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba and Immigration and Foreigners, the latter belonging to the Ministry of the Interior.
The official assured that the application will be gradual and with priority to the main issuing markets to the Island.
Apparently, the measure seeks to boost tourism on the island, putting in place less cumbersome mechanisms so that visitors can travel. This in the middle of a panorama in which the sector continues without achieving a significant recovery, despite the fact that the regime recently celebrated the arrival of one million tourists in the first four months of the year.
Meanwhile, at the event itself in the tourist center of Avila, the island's prime minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, ratified Cuba's purpose of strengthening its tourism, issue that is visible in the face of investment plans in that field, superior to others such as Health or Education.
The presidents of the Spanish hotel chains Meliá and Iberostar participate in the event, Gabriel Escarrer and Miguel Fluxá, respectively.
On April 26, Cuba reached one million foreign tourists visiting the island.
A few weeks ago, during a Round Table dedicated to tourismMinister García Granda pointed out that the goal of 2024 “is to overcome the barrier of three million tourists, increase air connectivity and encourage demand and improve customer service.” the latter with serious deficiencies so far this year.
The bet is still significant, even more so if you take into account that It was the same purpose as the previous year., and at that stage, Cuba only reached 2.4 million international visitors, leaving forecasts below by more than 30%.
Compared to popular destinations in the region, in 2023, the Dominican Republic received more than 6 million international tourists, establishing itself as a leader in the industry in the Caribbean. Meanwhile, Cancun in Mexico attracted more than 4 million visitors that year alone.
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