The Havana Declaration reaffirms Ibero-America’s commitment to sustainable rural tourism

The 10th Ibero-American Meeting on Rural Tourism and Agrotourism, held in Cuba from September 29 to October 5, concluded at the Tropicana cabaret with the adoption of the Havana Declaration for the Development of Rural Tourism and Agrotourism in Ibero-America 2025.

The document, signed by representatives from more than 20 countries, reaffirms the role of rural tourism as a tool for sustainable development, community strengthening, and regional integration. It proposes 10 lines of action, including technical cooperation, agroecological innovation, vocational training, and the consolidation of the Ibero-American multi-destination.

The closing ceremony was presided by Deputy Prime Minister Jorge Luis Tapia Fonseca, Cuban Minister of Tourism Juan Carlos García Granda, President of the Ibero-American Institute of Rural Tourism (IBEROATUR), Humberto López Tirone, and the Mayor of Extremadura, Elizabeth Martí Declara, along with other ministers and executives from the Cuban and Ibero-American tourism sector.

During the event, a message was delivered by Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, in which he congratulated the participants and reiterated the country’s commitment to strengthening rural tourism and agrotourism as part of the national sustainable development strategy.

Minister García Granda underscored the importance of cooperation among the countries of the region and highlighted the role of communities as the cornerstone of local development. “It is no longer enough to provide tourism in the countryside; we must build tourism from the countryside, for the countryside, and with the countryside,” he stated.

IBEROATUR President, Humberto López Tirone, described the event as a success and recognized the efforts of the attending delegations. He emphasized that holding the meeting in Cuba has sparked growing interest in the opportunities offered by agrotourism among rural communities. “This step marks a new direction for Cuban rural entrepreneurs,” he stated, and announced that a National Congress of Rural Tourism Producers and Entrepreneurs could be convened in the country.

Meanwhile, the Mayor of Extremadura, Elizabeth Martín Declara, expressed her gratitude for the welcome and confirmed that the 11th edition of the meeting will be held in Cáceres, Spain, from November 9 to 15, 2026, under the leadership of the Provincial Council. “It will be an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between territories, promote sustainable tourism, and foster rural innovation throughout Ibero-America,” she stated.

Over several days, participants held important exchanges and explored diverse experiences in western Cuba, activities that strengthen the work to promote rural tourism both on the island and in the Ibero-American region.

The closing ceremony concluded with the presentation of a painting featuring two national symbols—the hummingbird and the Cuban flag—and a statuette representing Tropicana to the IBEROATUR president.bThe evening included a performance by La Colmenita and the reading of the Cuban Declaration on Rural Tourism and Agrotourism, which accompanied the official signing of the regional document.