Cuban Son: Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity Photo: Music in Havana. Pixabay/hoeldino A collaboration by Rachell Cowan Canino The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared Cuban Son an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity last Wednesday. This recognizes this musical and dance expression as a living symbol of Cuba's identity and joy. The announcement, from UNESCO headquarters in New Delhi, is a tribute to the soneros of the island and the world, as well as to those who have kept this tradition alive for generations. The distinction also reaffirms the Cuban state's commitment to the preservation and promotion of its cultural roots. Son, a musical genre born in eastern Cuba and now a fundamental pillar of national music, transcends borders and constitutes an essential element of identity for the Afro-Caribbean diaspora. Its inscription on the UNESCO list celebrates the collective memory, creativity, and vitality of the communities [...]

San Cristóbal Travel Agency celebrates 30 years promoting Cuban cultural heritage By Daily Pérez Guillén San Cristóbal Travel Agency, along with its staff and network of collaborators, celebrated its 30th anniversary, as an initiative founded under the guidance of Havana City Historian, Dr. Eusebio Leal Spengler. From the Cabaret Parisien at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba, its current Director, Antonio Guerrero, offered a heartfelt tribute to the individuals who, over the past three decades, have made the agency stand out through their contributions to tourism and the preservation of Cuba's cultural heritage. The Hero of the Republic of Cuba also recounted the origins of the organization, going back to its beginnings. "I've often thought about 1995, the year the Agency was established and registered on November 30. But I've also thought about Eusebio in 1995," he remarked, recalling the work that began then. He emphasized that the fundamental impetus and vision [...]

Tourism Advances Climate Action at COP30 with Stronger Governance and Adaptation Focus Following its recognition in the COP29 Action Agenda, tourism again featured prominently, with discussions centred on strengthening governance through UN Tourism’s Interinstitutional Working Group on Tourism and Climate Action. Accelerating the implementation of the Glasgow Declaration Initiative on Climate Action in Tourism, which operates under the umbrella of the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme in collaboration with UNEP, was also a cross-cutting element to the discussions. UN Tourism Executive Director Zoritsa Urosevic said: “Climate change is now one of the defining forces influencing the future of tourism, requiring faster advances in decarbonization, adaptation and regeneration, but most importantly investment required for the Net Zero transition. Our sector must align climate action with innovative approaches to strengthen resilience and ensure tourism’s competitiveness in the decades ahead.” Tourism Consolidated Positioning as Climate Solution A key milestone was the inclusion of a [...]