TORONTO — Despite President Trump’s recently announced revised Cuba policy that would restrict individual U.S. travel, the island nation is surging ahead with the message that it’s business as usual.

At an industry luncheon in Toronto last Friday June 23, Cuban officials and hotel representatives were on hand to promote what they referred to as an undervalued and often overlooked destination in Cuba: Cayo Largo, a small resort island located off the south coast of the main island. Remote, quiet and considered a departure from Cuba’s largely commercialized tourist areas, Cayo Largo is a ‘hidden gem’ in a destination that’s been top of mind among Canadians for years.

And Canadians are expected to continue to make a big impact on tourism, especially in light of President Trump’s announcement. According to Tania López Larroque, Consul General of Cuba, Canadians are as welcome as ever.

Cuban officials and hotel representatives from Cayo Largo, Cuba

“Of course, the new policy is considered a few steps back from everything we’ve achieved in the past two years. But Cuba will continue, tourism will continue to grow and we’re staying on course,” she told Travelweek. “For Canadians, Cuba remains the same.”

Though there haven’t been any new resorts in Cayo Largo in recent years, the existing resorts in the area are regularly maintained, said Nieves Ricardo of the Cuba Tourism Office in Toronto. These include the four-star, 296-room Sol Cayo Largo, which is ideal for couples. Amenities include a beach restaurant that overlooks the sea, land activities, a wide range of watersports, three restaurants and three bars.

Also available is the four-star IBEROSTAR Playa Blanca, where guests enjoy access to both Playa Sirena and Playa Paraíso beaches. This 374-room property located eight kilometres from the international airport features a miniclub, kid’s pool and playground, a gym, tennis courts, buffet and theme restaurants, three bars and nightly parties nearby.

The Gran Cariba Cayo Largo is equally enticing, with a prime location on Lindamar beach. Offering 79 rooms in several buildings, it’s situated just 10 minutes from the Cayo Largo airport and offers a selection of non-motorized watersports, tennis courts and nightly entertainment.

Hola Sun, the Cuba specialist, was also in attendance with its newly released Cuba Collection 2017-2018 brochure. At 112 pages, it highlights all major destinations in Cuba, including Cayo Largo, where the tour operator offers Sol Cayo Largo, Hotel Pelicano, IBEROSTAR Playa Blanca and Villa Iguana.