The Fábrica de Arte Cubano (FAC), the interdisciplinary cultural space in the Habanero Vedado, won the Caribbean regional award in the Art and Culture category at the sixth annual World Luxury Travel Awards (WLTA) 2026.
The award, of regional scope, was registered in the official list with the following details: country Cuba, region Caribbean, category Art & Culture Experience.
The distinction comes at a complex time for the space, which in June 2026 announced a temporary closure for reorganization, without specifying a reopening date, although it indicated that special events would continue.
The award was presented at the gala held at the JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel in Romania. It was received by the founder and director of the Cuban project, X Alfonso, and the co-founder and general producer, Sandra Lopes.
"This award also belongs to our team, to the artists, to the audience, and to all those who continue to believe in this project. Thank you for making it possible. We continue to believe. We continue to create," expressed the honorees on the Instagram profile of the institution.
Founded by Cuban musician X Alfonso and opened in February 2014, the FAC occupies an old oil factory in Vedado that has been transformed into one of the most dynamic creative spaces in the region.
The official listing of the venue in the WLTA describes it as a pioneering interdisciplinary cultural center in Havana that transforms an old oil factory into one of the most dynamic creative spaces in the world. The venue integrates music, visual arts, cinema, dance, theater, design, fashion, gastronomy, and educational workshops under one roof.
Among its previous recognitions is the inclusion by Time magazine in its list of the 100 best places in the world in 2019, a distinction that X Alfonso then described as “unimaginable” for the team. TripAdvisor also ranked it in 2020 among the top 10% of the most highly rated attractions on the planet.
The official report from the WLTA concludes that the Fábrica de Arte Cubano "thrives as a catalyst for creativity, inclusion, and transformation, providing an unforgettable experience of art and culture in Havana."
In addition to the Fábrica de Arte Cubano, other companies and establishments associated with Cuba were recognized at the World Luxury Travel Awards 2026.
Big Planet Adventures won a regional Caribbean award as a destination management company, while Eventos de Oro received two accolades: one national for custom event organization and another regional for luxury wedding planning.
Also awarded at the national level were Cuba para Viajar, in the category of receptive tour operator; Taxistas Cuba, for their business transfer services and private tours; and Excursión de Buceo a Varadero, in the categories of diving center and diving experience.
Despite the tourism crisis in Cuba, the country continues to receive international recognition. In 2025, the island won the award for the best cultural destination in the Caribbean at the World Travel Awards for the fifth consecutive year.
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