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The Venezuelan airline Turpial Airlines, founded by a retired colonel from the Chavista regime, inaugurated a new flight route between Caracas and Varadero on Tuesday, transporting 91 passengers to Juan Gualberto Gómez International Airport in Matanzas.
The frequency will be weekly, with flights every Monday, operated by the travel agency GTN Inversiones, according to the official site Cubadebate. Turpial Airlines, considered the leading airline of the Venezuelan state of Carabobo, already operated four weekly flights to Cuba: three to Havana and one to Santiago de Cuba.
With this new connection to Varadero, the company strengthens its presence in the Cuban tourism market at a time when the regime is desperately seeking to revitalize the tourism industry.
Operations and tourist packages
According to the page of Facebook TV Yumurí, Yulier Ávila, commercial manager of GTN Inversiones, explained that the idea is to offer multi-destination packages so that visitors can combine their stay in Varadero with trips to Caracas or other cities in Venezuela. The packages include stays of three, five, or seven nights, with options for return through other connections of the airline.
The inaugural flight included tourists and a group of representatives from hotel chains, institutions of the Venezuelan Ministry of Tourism, travel agencies, and media, who arrived to promote the new route.
Cubatur seeks to diversify excursions
The Cuban agency Cubatur, in partnership with the Gira group, will offer Venezuelan tourists various excursions, including visits to Havana, Matanzas, the Zapata Swamp, and the central region of the island, as well as maritime packages and direct flights to Cayo Largo del Sur and Santiago de Cuba.
"We want visitors to have a complete and varied experience during their stay in Cuba," remarked Jene Mendoza, director of the agency in Varadero.
A political approach disguised as tourism
The inauguration of this route coincides with the strengthening of relations between the regimes of Havana and Caracas, which view tourism as a strategic tool for exchanging foreign currency and scarce products on the island. This connection was solidified in May during the VII Meeting of Tourism Ministers of ALBA-TCP, where several cooperation agreements were signed.
Tourism in free fall and widespread crisis
Tourism in Cuba is going through one of its worst moments in decades. Low occupancy rates, the deterioration of infrastructure, and the lack of food and basic supplies at resorts have led to growing discontent among visitors, who openly criticize the poor quality of service and the precarious conditions.
Not even the opening of new air routes manages to offset the decline, as the country fails to reach the levels of tourist arrivals seen before the pandemic. This situation is compounded by the severe economic crisis affecting the island, characterized by uncontrolled inflation, constant blackouts, shortages of essential products, and a currency that is practically devalued against the dollar.
Meanwhile, the Cuban government continues to refrain from implementing structural reforms or providing concrete solutions, relying solely on the influx of foreign currency from tourism as a "lifeline" for a collapsed economy.
Frequently Asked Questions about the new flight route between Caracas and Varadero
What is the new airline route launched by Turpial Airlines?
Turpial Airlines has launched a new flight route between Caracas and Varadero, with weekly service every Monday. This route strengthens the airline's presence in the Cuban tourist market. The opening of this connection aims to attract Venezuelan tourists to Cuba, offering multi-destination travel packages that include stays in Varadero and visits to other cities in Venezuela.
What is the objective of the new Caracas-Varadero route by Turpial Airlines?
The aim of the new route by Turpial Airlines is to strengthen tourism exchange between Venezuela and Cuba, in an effort by the Cuban regime to revitalize the tourism industry amid an economic crisis. Additionally, the route facilitates the transportation of goods through "mules" that carry products to Cuba, a significant aspect in the context of the shortages experienced on the island.
How is the tourism industry in Cuba currently affected?
The tourism industry in Cuba is experiencing one of its worst moments in decades. The low occupancy rates, the deterioration of infrastructure, and the lack of food and basic supplies have led to increasing dissatisfaction among visitors. Despite the opening of new flight routes, the country has not been able to surpass pre-pandemic tourist arrival levels, which adds to a severe internal economic crisis.
What role does tourism play between the regimes of Cuba and Venezuela?
Tourism has become a strategic tool for the regimes of Cuba and Venezuela, allowing the exchange of currency and scarce products on the island. This connection has been strengthened by cooperation agreements signed during ALBA-TCP meetings, highlighting a political rapprochement disguised as tourism.
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