15 NOV 2017: “We are waiting for you!” And more important, Cayo Santa Maria is ready and waiting for your clients. Sunwing and the Cuba Tourist Board brought a whole planeload of travel agents to see if the resorts were ready last week. When the plane landed at Santa Clara airport it was greeted by a water cannon salute, and a large contingent of Cuban press.

The Cayo of Santa Maria was badly hit by Hurricane Irma in September, and the 48 kilometre causeway was so damaged it was impassible. When we arrived 53 days later, it was as though a miracle had happened.

But no it wasn’t a miracle it was the hard work of 9,000 Cuban workers, many of whom were volunteers. Everybody wanted to help.

At first they had to get to the islands by Catamaran … 31/2 hours each way.

They repositioned materials of resorts under construction to use to make the resorts damaged in the Hurricane new again.

Alejandro Vazquez from Nexus Tours, which works with Sunwing said, “The agents have seen that they can sell this destination with confidence.” Certainly, the agents I talked to were excited about selling it.

I certainly agreed with Diaz Shiraz, managing director of Saba Travel and Tours Ltd. on his first trip to Cuba, and his first Fam trip, “I used to organize Fam trips and I’m impressed with this one. The planning was meticulous and it went very smoothly.”

“I’m looking to put specialized packages for Muslim groups together. I’ll be looking at the Melia Las Dunas, and the Dhawa Cayo Santa Maria.”

We climbed on our five buses, and set off to drive through the area. I expected complete devastation, instead you wouldn’t have known there was a hurricane, and some of the locals were enjoying the little outdoor cafes.

We reached the marina, at Caibarien to board the huge catamarans for the 3/12 hour trip to the Cayo. There was music and dancing and yes, the odd Mojito’s, so agents could see why the catamaran cruise tours are so popular. They got it!

Cuba plans well for the safety of their people, and even the dolphins at the Dolfinium were taken care of. Helicopters air lifted them to safer pools in Varadero. When we arrived they were back and as playful as ever but the sea lion seemed as out of sorts as ever. The six dolphin pools weren’t damaged, but the gift shop and restaurant needed and got an entire renovation.

The Melia Las Dunas was our host for two nights, and GM Laurent Labal and his staff took wonderful care of us. I couldn’t get over the service. It was attentive, friendly, and quick.

Michelle Zammit with Selloff vacations said, “I never understood till now the love Cubans have for each other and the Canadians. I will absolutely be selling the Iberostar Ensenacho’s Melia Las Dunas, and Playa Cayo Santa Maria.”

Carmen Alvarez from Voyages Centre Latin in Montreal will continue to sell the Iberostar Ensenachos. “The clients I’ve sent loved it, because of the gorgeous beach, and good food.

John Fernandes from Century Travel is a newbie. “The Iberostar Ensenachos is in a class of its own, I love the Melia brand, I like the Royalton, and I thought the Starfish worthwhile.”

Eloy Govea, director of the Cuba Tourist Board’s Toronto office, on the fam with us, pointed out that crews were working around the clock, getting the finishing touches done.”

Hurricane Irma has given the resorts a chance to do things they’ve been wanting to do. The resorts have all had a coat of paint inside and out. New plants are planted, and bushes and trees have new green growth.”

This is my fifth visit to the area, and I’ve never seen the area look so fresh and welcoming.

“’What do you like?’ agents kept asking me?”

I loved Melia Las Dunas, I was very impressed with Hotel Playa Cayo Santa Maria, managed by Gaviota, and thought the adults only 105 room Melia Buenavista was fabulous, with great inclusions like an included dinner on the beach, butler service and more. And the prices were great. But unlike you, I don’t have particular clients in mind.

The resort employees everywhere were eager to welcome us. There wasn’t just the usual dancers in the front lobby, there was entertainment all around the resorts.

Music of course is what distinguishes Cuba from other sun destinations. We were treated with music everywhere, from the Fiesta dinner at the new Pueblo next to Melia Las Dunas where the famous Buena Vista Social Club entertained us, to the fabulous violinist playing for us at Breakfast at the Melia Las Dunas, and the full orchestra, playing for us at brunch at the Iberostar Ensenachos, with dancers, and a very talented singer. Agents loved the fun entertainment at the Royalton, and Starfish.

We came, we saw, we were impressed as we climbed aboard our five buses to go back to the airport.

But wait, there was a surprise for us. Lining both sides of the causeway from Ensenachos to the Dolfinarium, wearing big smiles and waving a Cuban flag in one hand and a Canadian flag in the other were 1200 staffers from all the hotels. From the GM’s to the gardeners they lined up to say Thank-you. There wasn’t a dry eye on any of the five buses.

You can sell with confidence.