Connecting with my Roots

The countryside is getting noticed...

Mayarí Arriva

As I create more ways to connect people with my roots, I get so amazed how Cuba keeps developing untapped areas of my homeland. My cousin was telling me that the government in the downtown area where I grew up had built a brand new hotel with a swimming pool and a great view of the mountains. I could not believe it until I saw the photos. The hotel has beautiful double beds rooms with flat-screen TVs and big glass doors and windows with views of the mountains or the garden. The swimming pool is an infinite style with a beautiful view as well. There is a vast lobby with comfortable sofas and a six minutes outdoor walk to "La Sierra Maestra," the famous mountains where Fidel Castro and his troops were hiding during the revolution. There is a lot of history in this area of the country.

Another day excursion nearby is the Mausoleum with the eternal flame, a sacred place where a lot of soldiers from the war are buried. From here, you can see a line of palms on the mountain's peak also planted in honor of the fallen heroes. Mayarí Arriba is also known for its rivers and famous carnival. I remember attending the festivities when I was a kid. Lots of cotton candy, live music, beautifully decorated floats and lots of beer and rum. I'd love to take you on a journey to the countryside where I grew up and get to know my roots and humble beginnings.

ASTA Global Convention

Last week was the annual ASTA Global Convention (American Society of Travel Advisors) and was so excited to attend, learn more about the industry, reconnect with suppliers, and make new ones. I was a recipient of the ASTA Operational Excellence Through Benchmarking scholarship, and my first day at the convention was incredible. I got to meet other fantastic travel advisors, the president of ASTA and got to speak to him about Cuba and the organization's efforts in pushing for a change in the travel restrictions to Cuba.

I was surprised to see Cuba been present during the trade show and met two representatives from the Cuban Embassy. I had the opportunity to tell them about my company and how they can help support our efforts to bring more of you to Cuba. They provided me with some fantastic videos of Cuba which I will be posting on our YourTube channel soon and other useful information.

As we continue our journey to other destinations, connecting with new suppliers was one of my main goals during the convention. I met terrific suppliers from China and the island of Haikou, Galicia for tours to El Camino de Santiago, and beautiful Myanmar. That's without counting all the cruise lines, hotels, cars, and transportation services. Wherever you'd like to go, we got you covered! ;-) I am also happy to know that my host agency received an award for best Host Agency (for travel agents) by ASTA and our VP of Sales & Marketing received the award for the Susan D. Tanzman Inspiration Award. I'm so happy for her and the agency and it's fabulous to be associated with a well respected agency.

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AmaWaterways Partnership 
I am thrilled to share with you my new partnership with AmaWaterways. I just became certified in river cruises and got my brand new Co-branded website up and ready for you to check out their incredible adventures. An AmaWaterways river cruise is about more than the destination – it’s the journey. We invite you to take one of our European river cruises, Asia river cruises, or Africa river cruises and see the world in luxury and comfort.
River cruising through Europe with AmaWaterways is an excellent way to explore a destination. Discover local culture and sights on included tours, and then hop back on your luxurious river cruise ship and sail to the next stunning city or charming town. Included in the fares of our river cruises are shore excursions in every port of call; all dining on board (including The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant); fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; internet access and Wi-Fi; and bicycles that you can use to explore on your own or join our guided bike tours.
In Europe, you can take one of our Danube river cruises, or one of our Rhine river cruises. We also offer river cruises in France and Portugal. We hope that you enjoy exploring our many itineraries in Europe, Asia, and Africa, and look forward to welcoming you aboard soon. Ready to explore? Check out my new AmaWaterways site here and let me know what would be your most desirable destination to visit, and I will be more than happy to advise you through your journey.

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The summer season isn’t over yet! Take a staycation or travel the world, either way QuickBooks makes it easier to check on your business while you’re away, so you can make the most of your R&R. Check out this link to read more tips on how to keep your business running while your gone ➡️  https://quickbooks.grsm.io/sheylahicks7731 #QBAmbassador ​