Holguín - Now Recognized as Third Tourist Destination in Cuba

With more than 233,000 travelers in 2009 and a hotel network boasting 4,890 rooms, mainly distributed along the Guardalavaca, Esmeralda and Pesquero beaches, Holguín Province has definitely become the number three tourist draw on the Island, according to Northeast Ministry of Tourism specialist Raciel Reyes.

Reyes explains that hotel facilities have expanded in the last few years with 3, 4 and 5 star condos, all managed by prestigious companies like Sol Meliá, Blau, Sirenis Turquesa, and Cuba’s Cubanacán and Gaviota, every one with great experience in the field.

Canadians are the most frequent visitors to Holguín (54 percent of the market), followed by the UK, which sets standards for world tourist marketing and demands certain levels of service. Quite a number of tourists from Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Finland also are visiting Holguín in increasing numbers.

Although considered a sun and sand destination, the Holguín area also has some historical, cultural and social appeal, providing visitors with many