CubaPLUS Magazine

The territorial delegation of the Ministry of Tourism (Mintur), the Ecotur travel agency, and the Provincial Sports Directorate of Santiago de Cuba officially announced the inaugural "Fichas de Oro" International Dominoes Tournament this Wednesday.

According to Karina Marcheco, institutional communications officer for the Provincial Sports Directorate, the event will celebrate dominoes as a significant sporting, cultural, and social expression from June 5 to 8.

During the launch of the event's promotional campaign, Marcheco emphasized that Santiago de Cuba is the natural choice for the tournament, given its deep traditions, strong cultural identity, and tourism potential to establish itself as the Caribbean’s dominoes epicenter. In her view, in this eastern province, the game transcends competition to become a profound symbol of identity.

Under the slogan "Where the moves tell the story of the Caribbean," the tournament aims to boost the international profile of dominoes, establish the province as a premier sports-cultural hub, stimulate regional tourism, and showcase Santiago’s local traditions.

Reyna Alayo, lead specialist at Ecotur Santiago de Cuba (the event’s official receptive agency), stated that the primary tourism objectives include promoting Santiago de Cuba as a destination, revitalizing the sports tourism sector, and increasing the average length of stay for visitors. Additional goals include facilitating exchange between Caribbean and international participants, highlighting dominoes as a hallmark of Cuban culture, and fostering community engagement and sustainable traditions.

Alayo announced that, beyond the competitive matches, participants will enjoy a curated itinerary including a guided night tour of Santiago de Cuba’s historic district, activities at an agrotourism farm, and a massive community domino match at Céspedes Park.

Accommodation and dining services will be hosted at the Imperial and Casa Granda hotels, respectively. The event involves a collaborative network between the Cubanacan and Islazul hotel groups, the Palmares extra-hotel chain, and various state and private enterprises within the territory.

The campaign presentation also featured Zoraida Lozano, Mintur Delegate in Santiago de Cuba; Roberto Reyes, Provincial Sports Director; and Ramón García, President of the Provincial Domino Association.

(Taken from Prensa Latina)