As Cuba continues to embrace a “new normal,” and with Canadians wearying of the weather and COVID, the Caribbean mainstay destination is set to see capacity from this country increase this month with the addition of new tour operator programs that include the return of more destination choices.

Moreover, with the prospects of vaccinations soon to begin, hopes are high that more Canadians will have the opportunity and make the choice to travel.

Among their latest options in Cuba:

• Hola Sun/Caribe Sol begins operations on Dec. 18 with new airline OWG, featuring two weekly flights to Cayo Santa Maria from Toronto and Montreal.

• Likewise, this month will mark the first flight from Sunwing and Transat to Varadero post-COVID, with service from Toronto and Montreal.

• After successfully launching Cayo Coco and Varadero, Air Canada Vacations is expanding to Cayo Santa Maria, as well as adding more departures from Toronto and Montreal.

“These flights will be the firsts arriving in this destination since March,” Lessner Gomez, Director of the Cuba Tourist Board in Canada, says of the Cayo Santa Maria flights. “But more importantly they will provide airlift to clients going to other destinations such as Cienfuegos, Trinidad and Zapata peninsula.”

He adds, “There is no doubt that with the good news about the vaccine rolling out soon and the increased capacity, the pristine Cuban beaches are closer than ever…”

FITCUBA

Meanwhile, Gomez announced that FITCUBA 2021 is been scheduled for May 3 to 8 in Varadero.

Canadian travel partners attending the fair, he says, “will see the numerous works aimed to improve all the services offered in this destination that were carried out during the pause of activities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Among them, he reports, are:

• The full renovation and upgrading of all the facilities at Plaza America, main headquarters of FITCUBA

• More water sports and car rentals services, and extension of the WiFi connection to all the areas including the beach

• Restoration of the iconic Xanadu mansion, club of the Varadero Golf Club, to its original splendour

• And the inauguration of Varadero Boulevard with a wide range of shops, services and restaurants, including Habanos House and an arts and crafts plaza.