Cuba was the guest country at the 14th edition of the Portugal – Latin America Tourism Forum, IPDAL’s oldest business initiative, in a working meeting that brought together the main tourism players.

The Institute brought together at the Vila Galé Ópera some of the main players in the Portuguese and international tourism and hospitality sectors, from large hotel groups to tour operators, to discuss Cuba’s potential as a tourism and investment destination. Participants included organizations such as Iberia, Caixa Geral de Depósitos, Grupo Vila Galé, Grupo Visabeira, Grupo Pestana, the European University, as well as diplomatic representatives from Latin America.

IPDAL took the opportunity to present an original report with the main tourism figures for 2022, looking in particular at how we can increase the impact of tourism in Central and South America.

Iberia presented the history of its long working relationship with Cuba, followed by the Portuguese Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies (APAVT), which gave an overview of the sector in the country. Caixa Geral de Depósitos presented its strategic vision of tourism and how to capitalize on its importance for Portugal.

The event ended with a video message from Cuba’s Minister of Tourism, Juan Carlos García Granda, on the role that Portuguese investment, particularly in areas associated with tourism, can play in the Caribbean country.

The event was supported by the Cuban Embassy, the Cuban Ministry of Tourism, Iberia, the European University and Caixa Geral de Depósitos.