Supporting the entrepreneurs in the tourism sector

The tourism sector is an important sector for the Cuban economy, and a driver of job growth and economic prosperity in Cuba. Many Cuban MSMEs gain income from tourism, thereby upgrading their lives and the lives of their families. Typically they run an B&B, restaurant or bar, sell souvenirs via small shops or drive a taxi, but entrepreneurs that organize tours, dance classes and Spanish lessons or have a small business in the value chain, like fruit and vegetable sellers, are important contributors to the sector well.

The worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 has brought Cuba and it’s tourism sector to a standstill, affecting many entrepreneurs, and their households, that work in the sector.

To provide stimulus, accelerate recovery and prepare the sector for tomorrow, we organise a serie of online seminars with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Cuba and in cooperation with Proyecto CubaEmprende, the CCRD and the Cuban Red de HostelerĂ­a.

The first seminar, including a debate via WhatsApp, focuses on B&B’s and Hostels. Participants can register via the online form.

The seminars are provided by Jos van der Sterren, our tourism expert. Jos is Senior Researcher and Lecturer at the Breda University of Applied Sciences. He is an economist with more than 25 years of experience in fundmanagement, consulting in access to finance, social investment, and international SME/micro-enterprise development.