| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 28/08/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 32 |
| Copyright: Other |
Festivities by Linsey McNeill
Island is preparing to party just like it’s 1999
Tourist chiefs plan millennium fun – again
CUBA is promising visitors a massive extravaganza on New Year’s Eve as the island has designated December 31 2000 as the official end of the 20th century.Cuba Tourist Office UKdirector Max D’Ou said millennium celebrations will be held in all of the island’s resorts as well as in the capital, Havana.
“We will be having a big international party,” he said. “There will be a lot of celebrations, particularly in the old colonial area of Havana where there will be street parties.”
He said the tourist board, which is responsible for co-ordinating the celebrations, was putting a schedule together as Travel Weekly went to press.
However, UK operators said they were unaware of any special millennium events taking place.
Captivating Cuba product manager Juan Sanchez said: “Christmas and New Year’s Eve are always special in Cuba but I haven’t been told of anything extra special happening this year.
“Hotels are charging a supplement of £15-£20 for gala dinners on both December 24 and December 31 for those booking half-board accommodation but this is the same as other years.”
D’Ou admitted he was concerned that operators had not been given details of the celebrations in time for the launch of their winter 2000/2001 brochures.
Christmas and New Year are always a busy time for Cuba as they fall within the island’s peak holiday season and operators say demand is the same this year as last year.
“We have had quite a lot of bookings for this Christmas/New Year period but no more than last year,” said Sanchez.
Latin America specialist Interchange managing director Gordon Burnett said the trade should not go overboard in promoting Cuba’s proposed millennium celebrations.
“Cuba is normally full over Christmas and New Year because this is the peak of peaks but because of the millennium hype last year, some people stayed away,” he said.
Party time: the tourist board guarantees a fun occasion
sample
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new year packages
Distant Dreams: offers the four-star Hotel Sevilla in Havana for seven nights from December 27 for £799. Flights and stays on a bed-and-breakfast basis are included and on New Year’s Eve dinner is also laid on.
Cuba: gearing up for some bumper New Year celebrations