Cuba’s comprehensive program in Peru strengthens tourism alliances

A Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism Cooperation sealed the ties established between Cuba and Peru, as part of the will to cooperate in this sector, considered of great importance in both nations.

Cuban Deputy Minister of Tourism Yamily Aldama and Peruvian Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism Desilú León signed the document this week in Lima, the Peruvian capital, where the 70th Meeting of the UN Regional Commission for Tourism was held.

The Cuban Embassy in that country, through X, reported that the agreement establishes the strengthening of exchanges and ties in vocational training, destination promotion and other areas.

In statements to the press, Aldama outlined the scope of the discussions held regarding the promotion of sun and beach destinations in Peru, one of Cuba’s main tourism products.

A recent report by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR) indicates that, during 2024, inbound tourism in Peru increased by 29% compared to 2023, equivalent to an additional flow of 732,000 tourists and indicating a 74.5% recovery compared to pre-pandemic tourism levels (2019). In 2025, Peru welcomed 3,256,693 international tourists.

The extensive work program in Peru

Peru’s Deputy Minister of Tourism, Nancy Aracelly Laca, also received her Cuban counterpart, along with a special working team from the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism. The discussion focused on the possibilities for cooperation in the tourism sector.

The Cuban official also met with Graciela Seminario, yead of the Tourism Training Center (CENFOTUR), an educational institution with more than 47 years of academic leadership in the training of leisure industry professionals. Both parties reiterated their willingness to resume cooperation and exchanges in the field of professional training.

She also met with Ricardo Acosta, president of the Peruvian Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies (APAVIT PERU), with whom she discussed joint strategies to promote and disseminate the potential and attributes of Cuba as a destination in Peru.

As part of the program for this latest visit, Cuban Tourism Counsellor to Peru, Ivis Fernández, and Director of International Sales for the Cubatur agency, Yunia Benítez, offered a presentation on Cuba as a unique destination to numerous Peruvian travel agencies and tour operators.

What emerged during the 70th Meeting of the UN Tourism Regional Commission?Artificial intelligence and tourism in the Americas was the main topic of the 70th Meeting of the UN Tourism Regional Commission for the Americas, which met for the first time in Lima, from July 31 to August 1.

The meeting’s program sought to make the event a key tool for strengthening public policies and technological innovation that promote more competitive, inclusive and sustainable tourism in the region.

The meeting was chaired by Secretary-General of UN Tourism Zurab Pololikashvili, and Desilú León Chempén, minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Peru, who highlighted in their speeches the ways in which AI has the potential to close gaps by democratizing access to information, personalizing experiences for travelers of different profiles, and optimizing tourism destination management.

A flexible yet secure regulatory framework would allow countries to take advantage of these benefits without compromising user trust and security.Ministers, deputy ministers, tourism authorities, representatives of international organizations, academics, and the private sector from 26 countries in the region also attended.

They shared best practices and success stories on the implementation of AI and other technologies to transform tourism into a development tool for all.