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SAHIC Cuba Proves Successful as First Hospitality Investment Conference in The Island Nation

The inaugural Conference SAHIC Cuba designed to promote the hotel, tourism and related real estate businesses in the island nation took place in Havana, Cuba, May 15-16, 2017. After two full days of activities, the event proved to be 'the' place to provide the 225 attendees from 24 countries with new opportunities to expand their network while learning where the industry is heading in the continually emerging Cuba.

SAHIC - Latin American Hotel & Tourism Investment Conferences

Havana, Cuba

Your Room in Cuba is Ready: Expedia Opens Cuba Hotel Market for Consumers Worldwide

Expedia, Inc., the worlds largest online travel company, announced today that travelers can now book hotels in Cuba on its global points of sale, including Expedia.com, Hotels.com, Travelocity, Orbitz, and CheapTickets. Cuba continues to generate interest as a hot destination among travelers; its Ministry of Tourism reported more than four million foreign visitors in 2016, with the biggest increase in visitor numbers from the U.S. From the colorful and historic streets of Havana and Hemmingways homestead in San Francisco de Pau la, to the cobbled colonial town of Trinidad and beyond, travelers from around the world can today leverage Expedia sites to research and book properties throughout Cuba. With hotel options spanning from the east to the west side of the island, there will be no shortage of accommodations for consumers to choose from, including Pinar Del Rio, Camaguey, and Santiago de Cuba. Expedia has been closely working with local Cuban partners to bring travelers to this widely-anticipated market, and make the hotel booking process as easy as possible.Weve been working around the clock with our partners to be able to offer this iconic, culture-rich destination to our global customers, with the added convenience of online booking through a trusted travel partner, said Mario Ribera, vice president of market management for Latin America. As one of the first U.S. companies to offer hotel bookings in Cuba for individual travelers, were well-poised to bring new consumers into the market, further strengthening the value proposition with our partners.We are excited to make Barcel properties in Cuba accessible to travelers on Expedia platforms around the world, said, Josep Brichs, Corporate Commercial Director for Barcel Hotel Group Latin America. We are very proud Barcel Solymar and Barcel Arenas Blancas in Varadero have been one of the first bookings made on Expedia upon the opening of the destination. Expedia is a key partner and our priority is to develop new opportunities on the international travel industry together."Both U.S. and non-U.S. travelers can research and book their Cuba accommodations in compliance with OFAC regulations on Expedia points-of-sale globally with U.S. travelers certifying that their travel falls under one of 12 categories of authorized travel, including family visits, travel for government work, journalism, professional research, humanitarian work and educational activities, and people-to-people educational travel, among others and with non-U.S travelers confirming that they are not subject to U.S. jurisdiction.

Expedia Group, Inc.

Cuba

Meliá to boost tourism in Cuba by adding 8 hotels under its Meliá, Sol by Meliá and Innside by Meliá brands

Meliá Hotels International announced during the International Tourism Fair in Cuba that it will extend its presence in the centre of the island with the addition of 8 hotels, while also assisting in promoting multi-destination vacations.

Melia

Cuba

Will Cuba Become the Caribbean’s Best Destination?

Will Cuba Become the Caribbean's Best Destination? Don't get them wrong: The all-inclusive, oceanside resort that Georgetown University Hospitality students visited during their recent trip to Cuba was wonderful, and all anyone could ask of … an all-inclusive, oceanside resort. It just didn't say "Cuba."

Georgetown University

Cuba

Cuba’s New Luxury Hotels Look to Lure Waves of U.S. Tourists | nytimes.com

In Havana’s Parque Central, shady stone benches and graceful palm trees beckon to mojito-sipping tourists and locals gathering to shoot the breeze.

The gathering spot, in the center of town, is surrounded by horse-drawn carriages and long lines of colorful finned-and-chromed 1950s cars. But more utilitarian vehicles have recently begun circling the square: construction equipment transforming old buildings into luxury hotels.

As Cuba’s relationship with the United States grows warmer, real estate redevelopment is heating up, too.

nytimes.com

Cuba

Cuban Tourism Heavily Relies On Canada And USA | tourism-review.com

Cuban tourism authorities announced record number of tourists for the last year. The country welcomed more than 4 million visitors most of them coming from the North America. Dalila Alba González, deputy director of marketing for the Ministry of Tourism (Mintur) reported that Cuban tourism ended the year of 2016 with more than four million visitors for the first time which means an increase of 13% compared to the previous year.

tourism-review.com

Cuba

Cuba Tourism Officials Look Forward to SAHIC in Havana May 15 - 16, 2017

During a press conference held yesterday, President and Founder of SAHIC Arturo Garcia Rosa and Cuba Vice Minister of Tourism Luis Miguel Diaz Sanchez officially announced May 15-16, 2017 as the dates for the first SAHIC which will be held in Havana. This one-of-a-kind conference will bring nearly 150 senior hospitality and development executives from more than 25 countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia who are interested in conducting business in the island nation. Representatives from major international hotel chains, investors, developers, consultants, architects, designers and other members of the regional and international investment community are looking to Cuba as a region offering marked growth.

SAHIC - Latin American Hotel & Tourism Investment Conferences

Cuba

Kempinski Hotels to Open its First Hotel in Cuba, the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana

Kempinski is delighted to announce that it will open its first hotel in Cuba in the second quarter of this year. The Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana features 246 rooms and suites and is located within the historic Manzana de Gómez building in the heart of Old Havana - a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Kempinski

Havana, Cuba

SAHIC Announces WTTC CEO David Scowsill as Keynote Speaker at SAHIC Cuba

The premier edition of SAHIC Cuba 2017 (http://www.sahiccuba.com) to be held in Havana, Cuba May 15- 16, 2016, has confirmed that CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Conference David Scowsill will be featured as the Conference's keynote speaker. During what will be a highly-anticipated conference session and before an audience of an expected 250 hospitality executives and investors interested in Cuba, Scowsill will speak about his vision for future development of projects and his view on challenges faced by the island nation. "David Scowsill's presence at our Conference brings such enormous value to our informative and educational two-day event," states Arturo Garcia Rosa, President & Founder of SAHIC Cuba. "Scowsill's prestigious experience and insights to our industry on a global scale and his very personal reflections will bring us such integral insight and a personable quality to this important address." Scowsill has been Chairman PrivateFly, Chairman Yuuguu, Director On the Beach Holidays, Director i-level Digital, Vice Chairman at Worldhotels; Director Venere Net SpA; Group Marketing Director at Manchester Airports Group, Sales and Marketing Director at easyJet airlines and CEO for Opodo, the pan-European online travel company. He has built an extensive network in Private Equity and Venture Capital, while working on specific deals in the travel and technology sectors.Previously, Scowsill served as the Managing Director of the Consumer Division for Orange; CEO for the global retail services business Minit Group; SVP Sales, Marketing, and IT on the Board of Hilton Hotels, Director of Hilton.com, and Hilton Reservations Worldwide. He has 19 years of extensive sales, marketing, and operational experience worldwide in aviation, with British Airways as Director of Europe and Middle East, and Regional General Manager of Asia Pacific; and as Managing Director of European Sales at American Airlines.He graduated from the University of Southampton in the UK, where he received an Honors Degree in Spanish, Italian, Catalan, and Latin American studies. Mr. Scowsill said: "I am delighted to be speaking at SAHIC this year, hosted in the beautiful travel destination Cuba. Latin America is an important tourism region showing great growth opportunities. According to WTTC figures, Travel & Tourism generates 9% of the region's GDP. Additionally, recent UNWTO data showed that international arrivals in South America and Central America both grew by 6% over 2016. I am looking forward to discuss how the region's Travel & Tourism sector can further develop in a sustainable manner during the course of the event." WTTC is the only global body that brings together all major players in the Travel & Tourism sector (airlines, hotels, cruise, car rental, travel agencies, tour operators, GDS, and technology), enabling them to speak with One Voice to governments and international bodies. It is important that WTTC has the broadest geographical representation and includes all aspects of the sector, including organizations that provide vital services to Travel & Tourism. http://www.wttc.org For more information about SAHIC Cuba and to register with Early Bird Rates (by March 31, 2016) visit www.sahic.com.

SAHIC - Latin American Hotel & Tourism Investment Conferences

Cuba

Spanish Hotel Executive: Trump Looked Into Buying Cuban Hotels

The business organization of the US President-elect, Donald Trump, was looking into buying hotels in Cuba as recently as six months ago, according to a report by Skift.com, which cites a top Spanish hotel executive. This report would go against Trump's stated Cuba policy, which is to terminate President Barack Obama's opening of Cuba to US business.

TOPHOTELPROJECTS

Cuba

Iberostar To Take Over Management Of Havana’s Landmark Hotel Riviera

In January 2017, IBEROSTAR will be taking over management of the landmark HOTEL RIVIERA - its twelfth establishment in Cuba and second in Havana. On completion of the renovation work, the hotel will acquire 5* status and offer all the amenities and services associated with the company's Premium Gold category.

Iberostar Hoteles

Havana, Cuba

Restel, first hotel reservation center to begin integration with a Cuban hotel chain

Restel, the hotel reservation center belonging to Grupo Hotusa, has incorporated the 50 establishments of the Cubanacan chain. The agreement marks a milestone as it is the first direct integration agreement made by an international operator with a Cuban hotel chain. Restel currently markets more than 200,000 hotels around the world on its platform.

Hotusa Hotels S.A.

Cuba

SAHIC Welcomes Vice Minister of Tourism of Cuba; Announces SAHIC Cuba in Havana, Cuba May 15-16, 2017

In an eventful conclusion to SAHIC in Ecuador, Arturo Garcia Rosa, President of SAHIC and Luis Miguel Diaz Sanchez, Vice Minister of Tourism of Cuba, proudly announced yesterday that the very first hospitality investment conference will be held in Havana, with the inaugural SAHIC Cuba. Scheduled for May 15-16, 2017 at the Melia Cohiba Hotel in the Vedado neighborhood of Havana, SAHIC Cuba is anticipated to draw great interest from among the international hospitality community.

SAHIC - Latin American Hotel & Tourism Investment Conferences

Cuba

A fresh start for U.S. hotel brands in Cuba?

Behind the colonial facades of Havana's historic hotels, times are changing as Cuba and the United States start to rebuild their fractured relationship.

JLL

Cuba

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Makes Historic Debut with the Opening of Four Points Havana

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced a historic milestone with the opening of Four Points Havana—the company's first hotel in Cuba—representing a watershed moment for the fast-growing Four Points brand. The opening comes on the heels of the groundbreaking deals signed by Starwood in Cuba earlier this year, which established Starwood as the first U.S. based hospitality company to enter the market in nearly 60 years. Four Points Havana, owned by Grupo Hotelero Gaviotaand managed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts, caters to the global traveler with an emphasis on approachable design and stylish comfort.

Starwood

Havana, Cuba

Sustainable Development and Smart Partnerships Key To Growing Caribbean Brand" Assert Cuban and CHTA Officials

The President of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), Karolin Troubetzkoy, joined by several members of CHTA's executive committee and prominent regional hoteliers, visited Cuba for meetings with Cuban and international officials during the UNWTO and FITCuba events held in Havana between May 2-6.

CHTA

Cuba

Engage Cuba Welcomes American Hotel & Lodging Association To Coalition

Today, Engage Cuba, the leading coalition of private companies and organizations working to end the travel and trade embargo on Cuba, announced a partnership with the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), the only national association representing the full breadth of the U.S. lodging industry.

AH&LA

Cuba

Cuba is Airbnb's fastest-growing market | travelweekly.com

Between 10% and 20% of Americans traveling to Cuba now are staying with an Airbnb host, according to an estimate by the company's founder and CEO, Brian Chesky.

“So it's been, we think, a very, very big success,” Chesky told reporters here, where he was a central business figure during President Obama’s historic visit here this week.

Chesky said that almost one year after launching in Cuba, the country is still Airbnb’s fastest-growing market. There are 4,000 Cuban homes listed on Airbnb, out of about 2 million in 191 countries.

travelweekly.com

Cuba