Marysol Travel Joins Cuba’s Largest FAM Trip: Insight, Connection & Growth for Our Partners

At Marysol Travel, we believe that being on the ground, walking the properties, meeting local teams and tasting the experience ourselves is the only way to deliver truly exceptional programs. That is why we were honored to take part in Cuba’s largest FAM (familiarization) trip recently, hosted by Destinos Gaviota, in beautiful Cayo Santa María. This event gave us a unique opportunity to reconnect with clients and partners, to learn about Cuba’s latest tourism offerings, and to further strengthen our capabilities as one of the region’s most trusted independent DMCs.

In this article we share the story of that journey, the lessons we brought home, and how it reinforces Marysol Travel’s promise to deliver excellence in Cuba — whether your group is 2 or 1,000 people.

What Is Destinos Gaviota—and Why It Matters

Destinos Gaviota is Cuba’s premier tourism trade fair and exchange platform, bringing together tour operators, travel agents, hoteliers, airlines, and tourism stakeholders from around the world. It is a forum to showcase new properties, share product updates, explore collaboration opportunities, and experience Cuba’s destinations firsthand. (Destinos Gaviota)

In its 2025 edition (Sept 15–20), the event took place at Cayo Santa María, combining business sessions with immersive site inspections, resort showcases, networking events, and destination activities. For Marysol Travel, attendance at Destinos Gaviota is more than a marketing gesture — it’s a strategic investment in our product knowledge and partnerships.

Why Marysol Travel Is a Top Choice in Cuba

Cultural performance during the FAM trip

Why Participating in the FAM Trip is Crucial for Success

Understanding the Importance of FAM Trips for Travel Professionals

Before diving into the FAM trip highlights, it’s worth underlining what sets Marysol Travel apart — and why tour operators, travel agents, and corporate clients trust us:

• Independent DMC with scale and flexibility. Unlike companies tied to a single brand or chain, Marysol Travel has the agility to design highly tailored, multi-brand programs across Cuba. Yet we also have the resources, systems, and reach to serve groups from 2 to 1,000+—be it incentive trips, group tours, charter operations, destination weddings, or proposal trips.
• Professional DNA: European management meets local mastery. Our leadership brings decades of international travel and operational experience, while our on-the-ground teams possess deep Cuban expertise. The synergy ensures that we deliver both global standards and local authenticity.
• Decades of Cuban specialization. Marysol has been working in Cuba for over 18 years. Our management team, cumulatively, has well over 25 years of experience working in Cuba specifically. We know the regulatory landscape, the supply chains, the hotel networks, the transportation challenges — and how to turn them into advantages.
• Full-spectrum service capabilities. Whether you require only airport transfers, or full itinerary design, event logistics, VIP services, on-site representation, charters, or weddings, we can deliver. No job is too small — and no job is too complex.
• Trusted by global operators. Many international tour operators already rely on Marysol as their in-Cuba partner. On our site you will see testimonials from longtime clients, highlighting our consistency, communication, and attention to detail. (Marysol Travel)

Because of this foundation, when we go on a FAM, it’s not just for show — it’s to strengthen the very backbone of what we deliver to you.

Highlights from the 2025 FAM in Cayo Santa María

Here’s a look behind the scenes of our experience, and why it will benefit you as a partner or client.

Resort services in Cayo Santa María

Meeting Clients & Partners, Strengthening Relationships

One of the core values we bring to every event is people. During the FAM, we had the pleasure of meeting existing clients, prospective travel agents, and hotel brand representatives. Face-to-face dialogue is invaluable — it allows us to better understand your priorities, pain points, and aspirations. It also solidifies trust: you know Marysol is a committed, hands-on partner, not a distant “vendor.”

These connections often lead to new collaborations, better contract terms, co-branding opportunities, and a shared vision to build exceptional Cuba programs.

Immersing in the Hotels & Services

One of the most exciting parts of the FAM was the site inspections and hands-on exploration of properties in Cayo Santa María. We visited multiple resorts and accommodation options, delved into room types, service levels, food & beverage offerings, entertainment programming, spa/wellness, beach setups, and guest flow logistics. By walking corridors, meeting staff, experiencing breakfasts, seeing behind-the-scenes operations, we gained clarity on which properties align best with different market segments (luxury, family, wellness, adults-only, etc.).

We also learned about recent or upcoming renovations, service upgrades, and new product additions, so we can integrate the freshest, most compelling options into future client packages.

Exploring Destination Add-ons

Cuba is not just about resort stays. During the FAM we had the opportunity to review and sample excursions, cultural programming, and off-property experiences. From eco-tours, nature reserves, historical visits, community immersion to water sports, we looked at how to balance “resort time” with meaningful discovery. These add-ons are often what turn a good program into a memorable one.

Understanding Operational Realities

As a serious DMC, we don’t leave operations to chance. Throughout the trip we engaged with hotel operations teams, visited support areas (kitchens, laundry, back-of-house), and discussed supply chains, staffing, service standards, and logistical constraints. Understanding the operational realities — from how they source food, to how they train language staff, to maintenance challenges — helps us design more robust programs with built-in buffers and quality assurance.

How This FAM Trip Moves Marysol Forward — And You With Us

From our FAM experience, we can point to several direct ways in which your next Cuba program (whether for clients, groups, or incentives) will be better:

• Sharper product alignment. We now have a more granular understanding of which hotel fits which guest profile, enabling better matching and greater guest satisfaction.
• Stronger partnerships. The on-site meetings deepen relationships with hotel chains, Gaviota group affiliates, and destination suppliers. This often results in better rates, upgrades, and preferred access, which we pass along.
• Enhanced itinerary design. With fresh firsthand experience of excursions, culture, and locally curated experiences, we can build more diversified and balanced programs that resonate deeply with your travelers.
• Operational risk mitigation. Our behind-the-scenes knowledge helps us identify potential bottlenecks in advance and design contingency plans, so your program runs smoothly.
• Confidence and credibility. We can “sell with conviction” — when we propose a hotel or route, we’ve seen it ourselves.

What Marysol Offers: A Closer Look at Our Services

To better understand how we turn knowledge into execution, here’s an overview of what Marysol Travel can do for your Cuba programs:

• Group Tours & Incentives
  From groups of 2 to 1,000, we manage full logistics: charter flights or group connections, transfers, accommodations, event venues, VIP hosting, gala dinners, entertainment, team-building, cultural evenings, awards ceremonies, and more.
• FAM Tours & Agent Programs
  We can organize FAMs or site inspections for agents, corporate clients or staff—arranging everything from logistics to content, support, and group oversight.
• Destination Weddings & Proposal Trips
  Romantic trip? Intimate wedding in a beach resort? Surprise proposal? We manage venue sourcing, decor, legal permissions, photography, wedding cake, dining, transport, guest coordination — you name it.
• Charters & Flight Logistics
  When projects require charter services or dedicated aircraft block space, we coordinate with Cuban aviation authorities, airlines, and internal partners (for example, Aerogaviota, which operates domestic and charter air services in Cuba).
• Local representation & on-site support
  Our teams in Cuba act as your boots-on-ground, offering day-of support, troubleshooting, liaison with vendors, site inspection, guest assistance, and quality control.
• Tailor-made & flexible itineraries
  We don’t do “template” programs. Every itinerary is built on your goals: theme, guest profile, budget, uniqueness. We adjust in real time as needed.
• Vendor negotiation & cost control
  Over years we’ve built strong relationships with hotels, transport suppliers, local services. That gives us leverage to negotiate better inclusions, upgrades, and flexibility. It also helps us manage cost risk in Cuba’s changing economic environment.
• Visa, regulatory & compliance handling
  Cuba’s regulatory framework can present challenges (permits, permissions, customs, local licensing). Our long-standing experience ensures these issues are handled in advance, minimizing surprises.

Why Marysol Is the Best Choice for Your Cuba Partner

When you entrust Marysol Travel for your Cuba operations, you get:

1. Depth + breadth. We combine deep local knowledge with broad operational capabilities.
2. Flexibility. Whether a small VIP group or a large event, we scale to your needs.
3. Reliability. Having operated in Cuba for nearly two decades, we know how to deliver consistently despite shifting local conditions.
4. Transparency & accountability. You will know the who, what, where, and how of every element.
5. Innovation. We always seek the little extra touches and fresh experiences that delight travelers and differentiate your product.
6. A partner mindset. We view our clients, agents, and operators as collaborators; your success is our success.

Look Ahead: What’s Next at Marysol Travel

Because of the insights gathered during the FAM trip, in the coming months you will see several exciting developments from us:

• New curated itineraries incorporating the latest resort options, unique excursions, and hybrid experiences (combining beach with culture or nature).
• Refreshed hotel pairings and product upgrades based on what we saw and vetted during the FAM.
• Expanded offerings in Cayo Santa María and adjacent cayos with more precise segmentation (families, wellness, adults-only).
• Specialized incentive & theme-based programs (e.g. wellness retreats, music + culture immersion, environmental experiences).
• Tailored FAM packages for agents and corporate clients to experience Cuba under Marysol’s guidance.
• Ongoing content & storytelling via our blog, social media, and newsletters to share insights, travel trends, and destination updates.

We encourage you to check our site’s Incoming & DMC Services page to see the full spectrum of capabilities we offer. (Marysol Travel)

Marysol Travel team inspecting a hotel

Participating in Cuba’s largest FAM trip through Destinos Gaviota was more than a checkbox for Marysol Travel — it was a reaffirmation of our mission, a renewal of relationships, and an investment in what we do best: elevating Cuba travel through professionalism, authenticity, and dedication.

For any operator or agent considering Cuba, we invite you to partner with Marysol. From concept to execution, from whimsical proposals to massive incentive groups, we are ready to bring your vision to life in Cuba — seamlessly, creatively, and with passion.

Want a custom proposal? Interested in previewing one of our new itineraries? Reach out via our Contact Us page or drop us a message — let’s start planning the next great Cuban experience together.