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From Excelencias, we're calling on unity and good relations among peoples just to stop injustice from thriving and to make the U.S. oppression over Cuba disappear; to see the Iberian-American and Caribbean peoples resume their ties of brotherhood by the hand of tourism and gastronomy, because this will help us get closer together on the rest of the issues. We want to see how people can find satisfaction when sitting at a table, the fraternity that food brings. We want this to be an act of communion in which solidarity, sustainability and healthiness lead us to satisfaction. That's where the Iberian-American Gastronomy Academy, by the hand of Don Rafael Anson Oliart, wants to take us.
Over the past decade, the number of tourist arrivals in Cuba has been on the rise, peaking when President Barack Obama released part of the pressure on American travelers. That move quickly turned Cuba into a promotional heavyweight of travel and tourism in the Caribbean.
Whether it's true that things got tougher when Trump tightened the measures against Cuba by restricting travel to Cuba, there's no doubt that many other opportunities popped up: it showed investors that once that gateway is swung wide open again, Cuba will be a highly sought-after travel destination. It also gave time to pave the way on the basis of requirements needed in the face of the upcoming growth, and it helped the solid implementation of the Malecon Master Plan, recipient of the 2018 Excelencias Award, which includes the cruise terminal.
At the same time, hotels like the Iberostar Grand Packard opened; other five-star properties will soon open in some of Havana's most emblematic locations, while new resorts are being built in beaches and heritage cities, such as Trinidad, including the hotel run by Canada-based Blue Diamond company. What's more, a bunch of traditional hotels across the island nation's top cities are getting a new lease on life.
A necessary path was also paved: the arrival of luxury hotels and more emphasis on the MICE market with the opening of new facilities that are up to par with the standards the most demanding tourists are calling for.
It has also been shown that the countries that have always pinned their faith and trust in Cuba are still standing, increasing their airlift, and adding more hotel guestrooms and investments. That's the case of Spain, the island nation's top commercial partner and the country with more hotel rooms in operations in the country. According to Spanish ambassador to Cuba, Juan Fernandez Trigo, Spain's exports to Cuba in other sectors also put us on the top of the list.
In this year that celebrates the 500 years of Havana, Cuba has dedicated FITCuba 2019 to Spain, a token of the brotherhood between our peoples and a recognition to both countries' contributions, in a joint effort, to make tourism grow further, alongside other economic sectors, all for the sake of the island nation's development.