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• History
• Personalities
• 05 / 07 / 2010

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HAVANA, Cuba, May 5 (acn) A commemorative plaque for the 20th anniversary of Sol Melia’s presence in Cuba was given on Wednesday to Commander in Chief Fidel Castro by the president of that Spanish company, Gabriel Escarrer.

Escarrer travelled to Havana to head the celebrations for the two decades of work of the hotel chain on the island. These celebrations are part of the program of the 30th International Tourism Fair underway since Monday at the Cuban capital’s Morro-Cabaña Complex.

The plaque, received by Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero, who will give it to Fidel, has the following text: “Those who pave the way and are visionaries and builders of the future, privilege with their light and convene with their example.”

Marrero, in turn, gave Escarrer a picture with a reproduction of the front page of the May 12, 1990 issue of Granma newspaper, which includes a report on the opening of the Sol Palmeras Hotel in Varadero on May 10.

This Sol Palmeras was the first hotel built by the Cubacan S.A. joint venture, which contracted Sol Melia to be in charge of its exploitation and commercialization.

Escarrer recalled that when they began their Cuban adventure, some described them as crazy or non-visionary people, but that they didn’t become discouraged and, as pioneers going for local tourism, they worked hard, together with their Cuban partners.

The magic formula of this relationship has been mutual trust, sincerity and professionalism and to practice what one preaches, he added.

After referring to the Iberian consortium as the main international tour operator on the island, Marrero affirmed that the Fair will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Sol Palmeras, the 20th anniversary of the Cubacan S.A. joint venture, and also the 20th anniversary of the beginning of the administration and exploitation0f hotels by foreign companies on the island.

Source: ACN