Cubanacan travel agency launches tourism experiences competition

By: Rachell Cowan Canino

The Cubanacan travel agency invites all tourism professionals in Cuba to participate in the Tourism Experiences Competition, a space conceived as a prelude to the major MasterTours 2026 Event. The objective of this initiative is to select the most innovative, authentic, and viable tourism products to incorporate into the Cubanacán Travel Experiences catalog, thus recognizing the talent of professionals in the sector nationwide.

The call for entries is open to guides, creators, and tourism professionals who have proposals that reflect the best of Cuba, from its heritage and nature to its living culture and traditions. The agency is looking for original ideas that connect travelers with authentic experiences and that are feasible to implement.

Calendar and participation

The competition will take place according to the following schedule:

• Call for entries: March 2026

• Submission period: March to April 30, 2026

• Submission format: Project in PDF format

• Final event and awards ceremony: August 2026, during the MasterTours 2026 Meeting

Those interested should send their proposals in PDF format to the email address: [email protected].

The complete competition rules are available for review at the following link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1MF4ouqzhO8dFBQoFfxw_pkNrHUwnQ9kc?usp=sharing

MasterTour 2026: A platform for the professionalization of tour guides

With the launch of MasterTour 2026, the Cubanacán agency is committed to a groundbreaking initiative in Cuba: an event designed as a platform for the professional development of tour guides. From August 8 to 11, the event will bring together national and international specialists in a space designed for exchanging experiences, training, and recognizing the role of guides as key agents of sustainable and culturally responsible tourism.

In statements to Eventos en Cuba, Director General of Viajes Cubanacán, Yadismir Saavedra, explained that the first edition will be held primarily at the Havana International Conference Center, where the specialized conferences will take place. The program also includes practical activities in Pinar del Río, related to the work of guides in heritage cities and natural environments, with a special emphasis on the tradition of Cuban tobacco as an emblematic product.

The topics will cover new trends in the profession, managing clients who speak different languages, and the exchange of experiences with international tour guide organizations.

MasterTour 2026 is supported by the Palco Group as its main partner, in addition to the collaboration of entities such as Cubasol, Transtur, and Palmares, which will contribute infrastructure and complementary services.

With this first edition, Viajes Cubanacán inaugurates a space that recognizes guides as the essential human resource of tourism and projects Cuba as an international leader in their training and professional development.