Expedition "CUBA"

In 2010, 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2020, groups of students from the VŠPJ participated in a professional expedition to Cuba, organized by the Department of Tourism of the VŠPJ. Almost 100 students participated in the month-long field experience on this island in the Caribbean Sea in all five dates.

From a global tourism perspective, Cuba is considered a strategic market and gateway not only to the Caribbean, but to all of Latin America. Tourism is one of the mainstays of the country's economy and can be expected to continue to develop rapidly. The growing interest of foreign tourists in staying in Cuba is undeniable. The island has ideal natural conditions for the development of tourism and a rich cultural heritage. In recent years, there have been significant economic changes, which have also affected the political situation. The number of foreign visitors, particularly from Canada, Spain, France, Germany and Russia, is increasing year on year. The number of clients from the Czech Republic is also growing. It can be expected that our travel agencies will prefer employees with personal experience and contacts in the destination country.

The itinerary and programme of the expedition was prepared by Cubanacan, a Cuban tourism organisation, on behalf of the Department. The main organizer of the expeditions is the guarantor of the field of Tourism at the VŠPJ, Prof. PhDr. Petr Chalupa, CSc. During the stay the group will travel around the whole island, visit cultural and natural attractions. Daily lessons on the geography, history and tourism of Cuba take place with the active participation of students. Each student works on a given topic and prepares a professional article for the press. The expedition also results in undergraduate theses focused on the development of tourism in Cuba.