The President of the Commission for Attention to Services of the National Assembly of People’s Power, Tamara Valido Benítez, exchanged information on the perspectives and potential of strengthening cooperation in tourism, especially from the parliamentary level, on May 23 – via videoconference. , and Sangadzhi A. Tarbaev, Chairman of the Committee for Tourism and Tourism Infrastructure Development of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.
At the beginning of the debate, Valido Benítez stated that this virtual meeting undoubtedly constitutes a valuable opportunity that reflects the excellent state of bilateral relations between both countries and, especially, between both parliaments. Firstly, he conveyed the greetings of the head of the National Assembly of People’s Power and the Council of State, Esteban Lazo Hernández, to the Russian deputies; Just as he highlighted the relevance of the recent meeting held in Moscow between the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, and the President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez.
“Sustaining these exchanges in the midst of the complex context that our country is experiencing, impacted by the intensification of the blockade imposed by the United States Government, is of vital importance, especially in the tourism sector, which we consider to be the driving force of our economy,” he considered. the head of the Commission for Attention to Services.
For his part, Sangadzhi A. Tarbaev recalled that barely more than a year has passed since the last meeting between both parliamentary committees, on April 29, 2023, within the framework of the official visit to Cuba of Vyacheslav Volodin, president of the Duma. State of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, leading a large legislative and executive delegation, on the occasion of the session in Havana of the Cooperation Commission between the State Duma and the Cuban Parliament. Since then, relations between both countries have been significantly strengthened, he acknowledged.
In his speech, the legislator of the sister Eurasian nation highlighted the preference of tourists from his country for the destination Cuba, especially for its spas and sun and beach options; as well as the potential of the Greater Antilles as a bridge for Russian tourism to Latin America and the Caribbean, for which it is essential to strengthen air connectivity.
Tarbaev pointed out as a strength, among the initiatives to encourage the presence of Russian tourism in the Caribbean archipelago, the possibility of making payments with MIR system cards in Cuba, positioning our nation as a safe and competitive destination for the Russian traveler. “There are already around 20,000 point-of-sale (POS) terminals in Cuba that accept MIR cards, located in hotels, shops and restaurants in the main markets and tourist spots, in addition to being able to be used in ATMs,” he said. .
On the other hand, he emphasized the progress recorded in training in the tourism field between academic institutions of both countries, with the operation of three training centers for specialists in this sector; and that a cooperation agreement has been signed between the Russian State University of Tourism and Services and the “Marta Abreu” Central University of Las Villas.
“Despite the difficulties and the geographical distance that separates us, we have the most important thing, which is the political will of our leaders to move forward,” highlighted the Chairman of the Committee for Tourism and Development of Tourist Infrastructure of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.
Both parties agreed on the importance of increasing the number of Russian cities from which there are direct flights to Cuba, and in particular from Saint Petersburg; to achieve superior results in the short and medium term; the increase in the promotion and advertising of the Cuban destination in different Russian regions, through social networks and travel agencies; strengthening investments; and the increase in corporate business tourism projects, among other initiatives.
On the Cuban side, deputies Ailyn Febles Estrada, vice president of this parliamentary commission and head of the Union of Computer Scientists of Cuba, also participated in the fruitful virtual meeting; and Raydel Montesino Perurena, member of the Commission for Attention to Services of the Cuban legislature and rector of the University of Informatics Sciences (UCI). In addition, Jesús Rafael Mora and Bárbara Sarabia, director and official of the International Relations Directorate of the National Assembly, respectively, were present; and Pilar Álvarez Arce and Oscar Enrique Díaz, general director and specialist of the General Directorate of Marketing of the Ministry of Tourism, respectively.
