Safety, hospitality and  inclusive weddings: Cuba’s attractions for Brazilians

Safety, hospitality and its launch as a new destination for inclusive weddings, including special packages with complete facilities for these events, were among the innovations presented by Cuba during the 2025 LGBT+ Tourism Expo, held at the Hotel Unique in São Paulo, Brazil.

This trade fair, now in its fourth edition, brings together the best providers of tourism products and services focused on LGBTQIA+ tourists (an acronym used to represent the wide range of sexualities and identities) and has become the largest and most important B2B LGBT+ tourism event in Latin America.

The Cuban offer included promotions from major brands such as Meliá Hotels International, Paradisus, The Level, Sol, Meliá Collection, and the premium brand Grand Muthu.

Ivis Fernández Peña, Cuba’s Tourism Counsellor to Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, noted that, “Cuba is a peaceful and safe destination. A destination known for its beautiful beaches. Beaches with crystal-clear waters and fine white sand. It is the largest island in the Caribbean, with beautiful beaches and one important element: they are sargassum-free.”

Under these premises, Cuba seeks to consolidate its position as a safe, inclusive and comprehensive destination for all types of travelers, according to the Mercado & Eventos website, which highlights the absence of sargassum as a significant element, representing a major attraction for families, seniors and people with reduced mobility.

Fernández Peña emphasized that Cuba’s offers also include nature tourism, rural tourism, agrotourism, culture, heritage, events, birdwatching and health tourism, which includes innovative treatments for lung cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s.

“We have special packages with complete facilities for events, including LGBT+ weddings. This includes accommodation, ceremonies, decoration and a grand celebration,” said Lucas Sebastián Gamboa, representative of Meliá Hotels International, one of the island’s leading hotel operators, at the event.

“We have 35 hotels in Cuba, with different accommodation profiles, from premium experiences to more affordable options. Our newest hotel, the Meliá Collection brand, opened its doors in July in Havana, with 162 rooms and direct views of the Capitol,” he added.

Regarding the advantages of its internationally renowned facilities, he noted that they include adults-only spaces, butler services, wellness areas, terraces, and high-end cuisine.

Juan Echeverry of Muthu Hotels Cuba explained to the audience invited to the LGBT+ Tourism Expo 2025 the importance of local tourism, representing a great experience on the island.

“Cuba is a country that offers a complete experience, with culture, music, gastronomy and welcoming people. We work to make guests feel part of this history,” he said.

The Muthu chain operates high-end hotels in destinations such as Havana, Cayo Guillermo and Varadero.

“We focus on the Brazilian public, who value both the charm of Cuban culture and the comfort of a luxury stay,” he added.