China, Cuba officials strengthen tourist cooperation

Officials from China and Cuba strengthened relations this Wednesday after a memorandum of understanding was signed to design joint cooperation plans and projects, in order to expand tourist flows to the Caribbean nation.

The document was signed by Chinese Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism Zhang Xu and Cuban Ambassador in Beijing Carlos Miguel Pereira, representing the Ministry of Tourism of his country.

The text will extend for three years and it will be automatically renewed for the same period. It includes promoting initiatives to encourage collaboration between companies, institutions and tour operators from both countries, and develop products to meet the visitors' needs.

The document supports reciprocal participation in the sector's fairs organized by each nation, as well as personnel training, academic exchange and experiences on issues such as sustainable development of tourism and protection of world heritage, among others.

About this issue, the Cuban ambassador told Prensa Latina that this is an important step and it will pave the way for a greater presence of Chinese travelers on the island.

Cuba signed in November 2019 a memorandum of understanding with Chinese agency CTRIP, the world's second largest online travel company, to position its tourist destinations on that important platform, in addition to negotiating with Alipay digital payment services for citizens of the Asian nation.