The Ciego de Avila branch of the Comercializadora de Servicios Médicos Cubanos (SMC) promotes health tourism in the Jardines del Rey destination through a specialized medical care program, which includes animal therapies at the dolphinarium on Guillermo Key and other services aimed at well-being and improvement of the quality of life.
Dr. Agnerys Cruz Rodriguez, director of this entity, explained exclusively to the Cuban News Agency that in addition to the traditional sun and beach tourism, they incorporate the consumption of healthy food and beverages, the use of ancestral energies and the advice of specialists in different areas of medicine.
In addition, there is the possibility of attending to different disorders, ranging from the autism spectrum, in all its varieties, to others that hinder socialization, he added.
Travel packages for 14 and 21 days provide, starting this month, access to Eastern, Western and dolphin therapies, the latter provided by specialized medical personnel and trainers from the dolphinarium of Guillermo Key, an experience that will be wonderful for tourists and therapists, said the doctor.
In addition, there is the possibility of visiting cities and rural areas, including agricultural farms and local development projects, where they can enjoy ecological walks, peasant lunches, traditional Cuban drinks, tropical fruits and fresh vegetables, proposals that reinforce the initiative to travel to Cuba to receive wellness services and quality of life, she said.
As a result of negotiations between SMC and Blue Diamond Resorts, these offers are added to the existing ones at the Starfish Cayo Guillermo Hotel, but the purpose is to extend them to other Jardines del Rey facilities, which will expand the options for domestic and foreign clients in Cuba’s second most important sun and beach destination.
Cruz Rodríguez said that at the Grand Muthu Rainbow Hotel, aimed at the LGBTIQ+ segment (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, transvestite, intersexual and queer), specific therapies are being developed to meet the needs of that market and make their stay more pleasant.
The director of SMC’s branch office in the province highlighted the recent opening of a medical office at the Rueda Hotel, located in the capital city, with the purpose of providing health assistance to those who visit hotels, rented houses or who are passing through the province.
This space was also created to promote the use of Cuban medicines, such as vaccines against COVID-19 and Heberprot-P, the latter stimulating and accelerating the healing of diabetic foot ulcers, thus reducing the risk of amputation of the lower limbs.
Similarly, the medical office staff will promote services aimed at ensuring the wellbeing and quality of life of tourists, such as massages and dermatocosmetics.
According to the World Tourism Organization, in recent years there has been an increase in the number of travelers wishing to recharge their batteries, take a «breather» and feel at ease with themselves.
In this context, health tourism, considered a trend for the year 2024 and encompassing modalities whose main motivation is to contribute to physical, mental and spiritual health through medical and wellness activities, is on the rise.
(Photos: Author and Facebook profile of the SMC Comercializadora de SMC in Ciego de Avila)
