Palmares promotes internationalization of Cuban brands through franchising By Daily Pérez Guillén The First International Franchise Workshop organized by the Palmares S.A. Extra-Hotel Enterprise opened the agenda on the second day of the 15th Varadero Gourmet International Festival, held at the Plaza América Convention and Commercial Center. “Today we begin a new chapter for entrepreneurship and the promotion of the presence of Cuban brands abroad, as a symbol of authenticity that complements the marketing strategy for Cuba as a destination,” said Lázaro Darién Casabella Hernández, chair of the event’s organizing committee. El Floridita, Gato Tuerto and La Bodeguita del Medio — currently with franchises in the Czech Republic and Mexico — are the three brands Palmares has in its portfolio. Ladislav Starka, a franchisee of Bodeguita del Medio in Prague, who was present at the workshop, told TTC exclusively that this space has existed in the heart of the Czech capital [...]

Cubanacan dominates Varadero Gourmet 2025 with awards for cocktails, service and entertainment A collaboration by Rachell Cowan Canino With a haul of awards that confirm the excellence of its human capital, the Cubanacan hotel group emerged as one of the big winners of the 15th edition of the Varadero Gourmet International Festival, which concluded at the Plaza América Convention Center after intense days of competition. The hotel chain demonstrated its superiority in multiple disciplines, securing awards in the flair and classic cocktail, sommelier, food service and entertainment competitions, demonstrating its comprehensive training to ensure the best tourism experience in Cuba. The highlight for delegation saw Jeovanis Céspedes Pompa, bartender at the Gran Muthu Almirante Beach hotel in Holguín, take first place in the Flair Cocktails category. Céspedes dazzled the judges with a routine full of skill, spectacle and adrenaline. From the same hotel, Ariel Álvarez Hernández took second place in Classic [...]

Cayo Santa María: The paradise rediscovered by Destinos Gaviota 2025 By Daily Pérez Guillén More than 3,000 visitors from 45 countries will gather in Cayo Santa María from this Monday, September 15, until September 20, to participate in the 7th Destinos Gaviota Tourism Trade Fair. The "historic" figure for this event was announced by the President of the Gaviota Tourism Group, Carlos M. Latuff, at the opening ceremony, which was organized so that attendees could enjoy the excellence, hospitality and festive atmosphere offered by this "hidden Caribbean paradise" in a single evening. Latuff attributed the record number of participants not only to the prestige achieved by Destinos Gaviota, but also to "the trust they place in Cuba and in Gaviota as strategic partners." Musician Alexander Abreu was one of those who shared his art on the opening night of Destinos Gaviota 2025. In Cayo Santa María, the company presents its new [...]

From sargassum to the blue economy: a sustainable opportunity for the Greater Caribbean In recent years, widespread sargassum blooms have become a growing concern in the Greater Caribbean. Once a symbol of marine biodiversity on the high seas, this macroalgae now covers beaches from Barbados to Mexico, threatening tourism, livelihoods, ecosystems, and, crucially, public health. As climate change warms the oceans and alters nutrient flows in rivers like the Amazon, sargassum thrives. However, when it reaches the coast and begins to decompose, it emits toxic gases, primarily hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, posing increasing risks to human health, in addition to having a significant impact on tourism in the region. In recent years, communities across the region have reported spikes in respiratory illnesses, especially among vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In Martinique and Guadeloupe, studies have linked chronic exposure to [...]

Caribbean ports host Second Annual Cruise Connect Conference Antigua Cruise Port and Saint Lucia Cruise Port, subsidiaries of Global Ports Holding (GPH), have announced the launch of the second annual Cruise Connect conference. The Eastern Caribbean forum is scheduled for September 16 in Antigua and September 18 in Saint Lucia and will be held at Royalton Antigua, Five Islands Village. Antigua Cruise Port said in a press release that Cruise Connect 2025 aims to convene cruise line executives, government leaders, tourism officials, port operators and industry stakeholders. The forum will highlight infrastructure developments, strategic growth initiatives, sustainability priorities and market insights for the 2025-26 cruise season. Lancelot Arnold, regional director of GPH Eastern Caribbean and general manager of Saint Lucia Cruise Port, said: “Cruise Connect 2025 is more than a forum. It is a catalyst for progress across the region.” “By bringing together government leaders, cruise executives and community partners, we [...]