beach, playa, pesquero, tourism, holguin
Playa Pesquero beach is one of the great bathing resorts that tourists visiting Holguin can enjoy. Photo: Archive

Holguin, a range of possibilities for the tourist

Holguin, a range of possibilities for the tourist

The province of Holguin offers tourists a wide range of possibilities for enjoyment; sun and beach, culture, heritage, nature, and as if that were not enough, a la carte services to satisfy the traveler.

Speaking to Prensa Latina, Carlos Álvarez, commercial director of the Tourism Delegation in Holguín, explained that the destination has a wide range of excursions organized by tour operators and travel agencies such as Cubatur, Ecotur, Gaviota Tours, Cubanacán Agencia de Viajes and Havanatur.

But there are also a la carte offers to please the client, he continued, from enjoying the sunrise in a peasant’s house, appreciating the milking of cows and snorkeling to participate in a church mass.

One should not limit oneself to the existing offers, he reflected, perhaps they are services within the possibilities and options to be offered by the travel agencies to the visitors.

An added value of the zone, he said, are the air connections with more than five countries: Canada, Germany, Italy, Mexico and the United States, along with the Holguín – Santiago de Cuba route (eastern province).

Holguin, a range of possibilities for the tourist

Álvarez pointed out that Holguín is located in the northern center of eastern Cuba, a reason that allows the proposal of interesting options to be explored, such as nature tourism or circuits, given its proximity to the provinces of Granma, Las Tunas and Santiago de Cuba.

After the Covid-19 pandemic, people returned to a more differentiated, particular tourism, in search of unique localities, something that the territory also has.

WHAT DOES THE DESTINATION HOLGUIN OFFER?

The Megafan (familiarization trip) organized by the International Group of Tour Operators and Travel Agencies Havanatur S.A., which brought together more than 400 agents and tour operators, recently concluded in Holguin.

According to Havanatur officials, eastern Cuba was chosen for the event because it is an important tourist area whose natural sceneries and archeological values make it the third most important destination in the country.

Álvarez underscored that this destination is very strong in sun and beaches, with more than 41 in its 350 kilometers of northern coastline, five of which are home to the province’s hotels.

Holguin, a range of possibilities for the tourist

But it also shows history: on October 28, 1492, the Great Admiral Christopher Columbus disembarked in Bariay Bay and wrote that phrase …this is the most beautiful land that human eyes have ever seen…, “and in these parts we jokingly say that he was the first tourist to arrive in Cuba”.

Culture is another important reference, he said, and added that during the year events such as the Romerías de Mayo (May Pilgrimages) are held, which includes a pilgrimage to Loma de la Cruz, formerly known as Bayado Hill.

It is said that on May 3, 1790, Friar Alegría climbed the hill with a cross on his shoulders and made vows for the benefit of rain, because from that place you can see the city and the landscape, after climbing 458 steps.

Of course, it can also be accessed by road, and that is how Pope Francis arrived in 2015, who blessed the city of Holguin in front of the cross.

In addition, the Gibara International Film Festival and the Ibero-American Culture Festival are held, among the most significant artistic and literary activities in the province, he said.

NATURE AND BEACHES

An incredible option for those seeking nature tourism is to visit the Alejandro de Humboldt National Park (shared with the province of Guantánamo), a World Heritage Site since 2001, a significant reference for the conservation of endemic fauna and flora.

Another possibility is the natural park La Mensura (995 meters above sea level) with more than 300 endemic species of flora; there is the tourist complex Villa Pinares de Mayari, with 29 rooms, not to mention one of the highest waterfalls in Cuba, El Salto del Guayabo.

Holguin, a range of possibilities for the tourist

It has unique places in Cuba such as Banes, considered the archeological capital; the Chorro de Maíta, the largest ceremonial site of the aborigines and the Taino Village, which recreates the way of life of the agro-pottery Indians.

Medical services in the province are complemented by the Cocal Quinqué International Center, he said.

Of course, one of the strengths is the hotel industry, which today has 7,910 rooms, located in facilities mostly managed by international chains such as Meliá, Iberostar or Blue Diamond, which contributes to the quality of the offer and service, Alvarez acknowledged.

Distributed in beaches, cities and natural areas, 77.6 percent are in four- and five-star hotels; 64.8 percent are owned by the Gaviota Tourism Group, 22.7 percent by the Cubanacán Group, 7.7 percent belong to the Islazul chain and 4.8 percent to Campismo, he said.

In the coming months, he announced, new hotel facilities are expected to open in the area of Playa Pesquero and El Ramón de Antillas, which is expected to be the most developed tourist destination with more than 19,000 rooms.

All accompanied by a strong nautical activity; precisely for having 350 kilometers of coastline, it has an international marina with more than 30 docking points, and all its services such as migration or customs.

Holguin, a range of possibilities for the tourist

The Marlín and Gaviota Marinas also offer nautical activities such as diving, catamaran rides and many more options.

Today we need to make Holguín destination more visible, for which the Megafam organized by Havanatur (from September 24 to 28) plays an important role, so that they visit us and give us the opportunity to offer our services to visitors, he concluded.

With information by Teyuné Díaz Díaz – Prensa Latina / Translated by Radio Angulo

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

eighteen − fourteen =