Jorge Arreaza, Secretary General of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-Treaty on Trade of Peoples (ALBA-TCP) requested that the 7th Meeting of Ministers and High Authorities of Tourism of ALBA-TCP should mark a big step in shared tourism policies in the organization.

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During the Ministerial meeting, held in Havana, Cuba’s capital, Arreaza said that the presidents and ministers of the 10 ALBA member countries must move forward on concrete actions, so it is hoped that this meeting will have “a resulting document that deals with issues that allow progress in reality.”

The VII Meeting of Ministers, Ministers and High Authorities of Tourism of ALBA-TCP also seeks to analyze the progress in multidestination products and the proposal of the tourist brand of the Alliance, Harmonisation of visa rules to facilitate the movement of tourists between different member countries, simplifying formalities and promoting multi-destination tourism.

“The multi-destinations that we can approve will be a big step on the horizon of shared tourism of ALBA-TCP,” said the secretary general, and highlighted that country brand or regional brand of the Alliance as a tourist destination is necessary to position and disseminate it “so that our tourist diversity is known and identified.”

He also suggested that “to extend the idea of an International Tourism Fair (FITCuba) to a FITALBA, where the 10 member countries of the Alliance display their benefits, destinations and facilities in a solidarity way, and thus position their powers in a world marked by Western hegemony.”

In addition, the Cuban Minister of Tourism, Juan Carlos García Granda, highlighted the persistent challenges in the country’s tourism sector due to the prolonged economic blockade imposed by the US against the Caribbean island, aggravated by the inclusion of Cuba in the list of States that allegedly sponsor terrorism.

However, the minister added that Cuba has the strength and resilience that characterizes the country throughout its history and “thanks to the constant support of the members of ALBA-TCP we continue to move forward in defense of our rights and in the search for a better future.”

“In a world marked by crises, the effects of climate change, and global economic challenges, solidarity and collaboration are our most powerful tools. Today, more than ever, we must move forward together in building joint strategies that transform tourism into an engine for the sustainable development of our nations,” said the Cuban minister.

Present at the working tables are representatives from Venezolana de Turismo on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism of the Bolivarian Republic; and representatives from the offices in the area of the ALBA countries, such as Nicaragua, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Cuba, Antigua and Barbuda, among others.

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