CubaPLUS Magazine

The 2026 Havana International Book Fair, which was set to feature Russia as the Guest of Honor, has been postponed due to the challenging situation currently facing Cuba, announced the island’s Minister of Culture, Alpidio Alonso.

Located on the well-known Paseo del Prado avenue, the Gran Teatro de La Habana “Alicia Alonso” stands as an undisputed bastion of the country’s arts—not only because it is one of the oldest and most emblematic theaters in Latin America, but also because its history is closely tied to the cultural evolution of the capital and to the development of the national ballet.

In 2025, Canada retained its position as the leading source of tourists to Cuba, with 754,010 visitors, reflecting an 87.6% increase compared to 2024, according to statistics from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI). Despite the decline in Canadian vacationers, the North American market continued to lead, followed by the Cuban community abroad, which contributed 228,091 visitors, representing 77.4% of the total for 2024.

Approaching its 12th anniversary, the Fábrica de Arte Cubano (FAC) remains one of Havana’s — and arguably the country’s — most appealing cultural centers, bringing together a wide range of cultural expressions suitable for all generations.

A work of collective artistry and a symbol of distilling expertise, the newly redesigned Havana Club Selección de Maestros bottle was officially unveiled this Friday by company executives.

Numerous motivations draw entire families to visit Cuba today, among them cultural interests such as the island's distinct architecture, particularly that of Havana. This enduring appeal is frequently highlighted by local guides and the Cuban Ministry of Tourism (Mintur), alongside cultural organizations that document this growing fascination. Havana's architectural landscape is a veritable chronicle etched in stone, lime, and style—a fact acknowledged by experts and cherished by families and friends vacationing in the city.

If you were told that someone had traveled to a specific country over 100 times, you would likely assume they were a citizen of that nation. However, that is not the case for Ursula Kunstmann. This Saturday, the Canadian national likely set a new record for loyalty to the island, arriving in Cuba to begin her 109th vacation. For Ursula, returning to Cuba is akin to coming home. She has often remarked that, while the destination is beautiful, "it is the people who keep you coming back."

The first film in the Cuban series TITOVERSE premiered this Thursday, marking a significant milestone for the genre. Created by Daniel Martín Subiaut and produced by DAMASU PRODUCCIONES in collaboration with ANIMADOS ICAIC, the project builds on the success of the Tito Reacciona shorts, which originally focused on the lives and legacies of prominent artistic figures. In this new feature, Tito Reacciona is celebrating his 15th birthday. Upon blowing out the candles, a wish triggers the "TITOVERSE" time loop, forcing him to relive the day repeatedly. To break the cycle, he must defeat the creator of all childhood fears, aided by three female warriors of Cuban descent.

The José Martí Cultural Society (SCJM) announced on Thursday that the III International José Martí Colloquium, titled "For a Culture of Nature," will take place at the National Botanical Garden from the 27th to the 30th of this month. Through scientific panels and interdisciplinary workshops, the event will address the intersection of ethics and politics regarding the environment, as well as initiatives focused on global sustainability.

WestJet/Sunwing officially resumed its Toronto to Cayo Largo del Sur route this Tuesday, arriving with 171 Canadian travelers ready to enjoy one of Cuba’s most stunning coastal retreats.

For the second consecutive year, the city of Santa Clara will serve as one of the stages for the XLI International Jazz Plaza Festival, announced its organizers during a press conference. In addition to main venues in Havana and Santiago de Cuba, this edition will bring together renowned musicians and jazz enthusiasts from January 25th through February 1st in Santa Clara with concerts and other events.

The Cuban Tourism Office in Toronto has issued an advisory for Canadian holidaymakers, outlining the current status of the sector on the island. According to the release, all travel-related services—including hotel and non-hotel facilities—are operating normally. “The tourism industry is functioning as usual, with sufficient fuel supply to support winter travel and beyond,” the statement says.

The 44th International Tourism Fair (FITCuba 2026) is scheduled to take place from May 6th to 10th in the resort city of Varadero, located in the western province of Matanzas. This year, the event is set to place Cuba’s world-renowned beaches at the very heart of its agenda.

For water sports enthusiasts, Cuba has emerged as a premier destination, with scuba diving standing out as one of the most highly sought-after activities for travelers visiting the island.

The outdoor space of Villa Manuela Gallery, at the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC), is hosting a printmaking workshop, which will run until next Thursday.

José Luis Perelló, Cuban professor and researcher, highlighted on Monday the growth potential of the Caribbean in tourism for the upcoming year. In an article published by the Italian specialized publication Travel Trade Caribbean (TTC), he noted that at the end of 2025, Caribbean tourism continued to show signs of resilience and recovery with a three percent increase in international arrivals compared to 2024.

A delegation of eight Cuban swimmers—four male and four female—will represent the island this weekend at the Claude Sufrin In Memoriam 2026 tournament in Martinique.

The Cuban Tourism Office in Toronto confirmed on Tuesday that the country has seen a sustained decline in arbovirus cases, including dengue, chikungunya, and oropouche, following several months of intensified prevention and control measures. According to information published by the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba (MINSAP), national surveillance statistics indicate a steady reduction in reported cases, with the most significant drop observed during the last week of December 2025. This trend is attributed to the implementation of a coordinated national strategy, with a particular focus on tourist regions where Canadians make up the largest segment of international visitors.

Canada continued its long-standing reign as the top source market for Cuba’s tourism industry this past year, a position it has held for over three decades. According to official statistics, this trend is not only holding steady but further consolidating its lead.

Recent reports from Cienfuegos confirm that the province is meeting key performance indicators for its tourism development programs.