Hola Sun Marks 30th Anniversary

Feel free to wish Hola Sun a belated Happy Birthday…

The Cuba specialist — known as Caribe Sol in Quebec — marked its 30th year on Dec. 5, with the milestone coinciding with an Hola Sun fam trip to Cuba’s Jardines del Rey, the archipelago found off Cuba’s north coast that is seeing ongoing tourism infrastructure development, thanks to its sun-soaked beaches.

The Hola Sun anniversary didn’t go unnoticed in Jardines del Rey, with several hotels the fam visited producing birthday cakes when Hola Sun staff and travel agents visited.

The staffers were also treated to a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday at one point.

Hola Sun began by sending people to Cuba, at one point flirted with sending clients to other Latin destinations but continues to base its entire program in Cuba.

The significance of three decades of sending people to Cuba wasn’t lost on Hola Sun’s Sharon Arghittu, who was on the fam.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to celebrate a few milestones with Hola Sun but this one is special,” she said.

Meanwhile, travel agents on the fam applauded Hola Sun’s long presence in the travel industry.

“I was extremely honoured to have been in Cuba with Hola Sun Holidays to celebrate their 30th anniversary on Dec. 5,” said Allana Haines of Toronto-area Creative Travel & Tours. “With the new resorts we saw and Cayo Cruz opening up, I’m excited to see what the future holds for ‘The Cuba Specialists.'”

Nick Lawley of Paragon Travel in Toronto also noted Hola Sun’s long run, pointing out it’s been in business longer than many Canadian tour operators.

“I like to use Hola Sun,” he continued. “They are very good if you need special things done.”

Lawley added that Hola Sun has a great deal of expertise when it comes to Cuba, devoting all its attention to that country.

Meanwhile, Nieves Ricardo of the Cuba Tourism Board’s Toronto office welcomed Hola Sun’s contribution to Cuban tourism.

“They have been in the market for 30 years and we hope they will be in the market for another 30 years,” said Ricardo, who was on the fam.