With Michele Sponagle
19NOV07
Paula De Campos & VoX's
Susan Webb enjoying their cohibas
Manuel Marrero Cruz, Minister of
Tourism & New Director
Elias Enrique Bestard Pavon
Nieves Ricarco, Cuba Tourist Board; Laureano Cardoso, Ambassador of
Cuba; Karen Puebla, Cuba Tourist
Board; Elias Enrique Bestard Pavon,
New Director Cuba Tourist Board,
Canada & Roland Leduc,
Radonic Rodgers
New Faces At Cuba Tourist Board Receive A Warm Welcome
There was a lot to celebrate at a reception held by the Cuba Tourist Board at the elegant Bellini’s Ristorante in Toronto. Over mojitos and a very leisurely lunch, the Minister of Tourism, Manuel Marrero, said goodbye to Carlos Zambrano, whom many in the business have come to know for his professionalism, warm smiles and charisma. Judging by the applause that came when Marrero thanked him for his successful stay in Canada, he will be missed dearly. Based on the pile of phone numbers and addresses he had in his hands by the end of the event, it appears that he’ll have many of his former Canadian colleagues visiting him when he returns to Cuba to pursue new opportunities.
Replacing Zambrano as the director of the Cuba Tourist Board is Elias Bestard. Sergio Ferreiro will be joining him on the tourism team for Canada. They have a difficult act to follow. Over the last decade, the number of Canadians heading to “The Magical Island” has been leaping by 15 per cent each year. Now, more than 635,000 tourists from this country (a new record) are seeking sun in Cuba annually.
But it wasn’t all business at this event. As wine glasses were refilled, and course after course arrived to the table, the mood was one of celebration.
And what better way to cap it all off than with a hand-rolled cigar that was made that afternoon by a woman on site? With dessert served, the room emptied quickly. Many headed outside anxious to puff one of Cuba’s famed stogies. For non-puffers, chocolate versions sufficed. With that, old friends were bid adieu, and new faces made a grand debut.
© Open Jaw