May is eagerly awaited in Cuba, especially in the travel sector, because, with the exception of the last two years, it sees the International Tourism Fair FITCUBA held in the first week of the month, with Varadero as the venue.

At the present time, Cuba, a small underdeveloped Caribbean island with numerous economic difficulties, can be proud of its performance on the world stage, since it has managed to contribute significantly to the fight against COVID-19 by sending more than 40 Cuban medical Teams to many countries, including developed ones, saving more than 90,000 lives.

Summer is a long-awaited time in the whole world, as children and adults alike take their well-deserved vacations after many months of study and work. The tropics is a region that is best at rest between July and August and nothing better than the sun and the beach to enjoy the hot summer.

As this edition of CubaPLUS hits the shelves, the Cuban tourist sector will be celebrating at the 2018 International Tourism Fair (FITCuba). Now on its thirty-eighth edition the fair will open its doors from May 2nd to 6th in Cayo Santa María off the northern coast of the central Cuban province of Villa Clara.

Ten years seems simple to say, but when we're talking about a publication like CubaPLUS, which has the mission of promoting Cuba as a destination from various angles, one must appreciate that each edition requires hard work from a group of professionals who devote hours, days and nights to create each edition.

This 33rd edition of the Havana's International Fair at its EXPOCUBA, considered as one of the most important business events in Latin America and the Caribbean, has a special focus as it will be called to promote the Island's exports, for which Cuban entrepreneurship will occupy the whole exposition area dedicated to the country of honor.

In September Cuba will host the ExpoSial Fair (ExpoSial 2014) for the first time. Specialists from the food industry, both national and international, from producers to restaurateurs and related institutions will come together. The timing is key for the Cuban economy given the new Law on Foreign Investment.

In Varadero, the archipelago's leading sun and beach destination, Cuba's International Tourism Fair, FITCuba 2013, is set for May 7-10. This is the premiere event in Cuba for tour operators, travel agents, airline representatives and industry journalists to learn all about Cuba's tourism industry and the many attractive events held in this country, such as the Ernest Hemingway International Fishing Tournament.

Welcome to what is a very special issue for us: the 20th which marks five years of publication. This is an achievement not only for us but for all our readers and advertisers who have made this possible. A special thank you for all! This issue presents the first of a series of articles on Cuban education - a top priority for Cuba. In our magazine, you'll learn why Cuba has one of the most dynamic and comprehensive educational systems in the world. And in Luciano and Lansky you'll find the second installment of our Mafioso in Cuba series, which reads like a thriller.

I am pleased to welcome you to issue 15 of Cubaplus our Business, which will inform about business in Cuba. This issue's release opportunely coincides with the publication by the Cuban government of a decree that widens the legal framework for residential construction by foreign investors, sets out requirements for real estate development in some tourist areas of Cuba and grants leases on state land for up to 99 years. We provide more details on this interesting topic in our pages and intend to follow up in future issues.

We are extremely delighted to present to you issue 10 of PLUS magazine and before I describe it to you, I would first like to express my warmest welcome to the new Cuban Ambassador to Canada, Her Excellency Ms. Teresita de Jesús Vicente Sotolongo and the new Cuban Consul General in Toronto Mr. Jorge F. Soberón Luis. Part of our magazine's intention is to deliver the best and most accurate information on Cuba in Canada and the world. I know both the ambassador and the consul wish us the best and I am extremely grateful for their support.

Since our Winter Volume several events have marked the end of 2007. November and December are months in Cuba, and especially in Havana, where many things take place. The two biggest events that take the spotlight and gather people and media alike are the Havana International Trade Fair (FIHAV) and the New Latin American Film Festival in Havana.