At the meeting, the Cuban leader thanked UN Tourism´s officials for choosing his country as the venue for the 69th Regional Commission for the Americas.

He also welcomed the 100 scholarships granted for Cuba´s toursim training development.

According to a national TV report, Díaz-Canel stressed on the impact the U.S. blockade and smear campaign have on tourism sector in Cuba.

Cuban Tourism Minister Juan Carlos García, on the other hand, expressed the priority given by the Cuban government to local development, autonomy of provinces and municipalities, and especially to sustainable local tourism.

Meanwhile, the UN Tourism Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, talked about the significance of tourism market in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Pololikashvili also expressed his strong support to Cuba for tourism development despite current economic situation, and assured that Cuba is one of the safest nations he ever visited.

The UN Tourism Executive Director, Natalia Bayona, stated that Havana is the only city in Latin America that has American, French, Spanish and African historical influences, and that cultural wealth should be taken advantage of through investment.

At the meeting, tourism ministers from the region expressed their governments’ willingness to continue working with Cuba in this area.

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