According to experts, golf as a recreation modality — not as a sport— has significantly increased all around the world. It’s estimated that around 80 million people worldwide —with Canadians, Europeans and Chinese at the forefront of these numbers— are looking to spend their holiday vacations in a golf course.

The Caribbean region is looking closely at what this potential market has to offer, and Cuba, as expected, is contemplating it in its economic strategy for development. Thus, the Guidelines for Economic and Social Policy of the Party and the Revolution include the creation, diversification and consolidation of services and offers complementary to accommodation, which the country is known for, prioritizing the development of golf and real estate.

Generally, those who enjoy the wonders of this pastime-sport account for a considerable amount of wealth, which leads to assume that their arrival to the island would most likely happen onboard a private boat, with the need to dock using Cuba’s marinas. In order to “kill two birds with one stone” the Cuban government has authorized the creation of joint ventures with foreign firms that are experts in these two matters.

Currently, the country has only two golf courses, both in the western part of the country, and has seventeen marinas scattered throughout the archipelago. With these figures it makes sense that one of the main goals of the Ministry of Tourism is to diversify the country’s offer within the tourist industry, capturing high standard markets and broadening the extra hotel branch to the real estate development associated with golf courses, marinas and theme parks.

Four joint ventures are already working in the development of their projects, while four others have signed letters of intent or are in the negotiation phase. The first four are Carbonera, in Matanzas; Bellomonte, in Havana; El Salado, close to the Mariel Special Development Zone; and Punta Colorada, in Pinar del Río. These mixed capital companies have their Cuban counterparts in Cubagolf S.A and in the MINTUR.

Although all of them account for million dollar investment deals, Punta Colorada Golf & Marina, hand in hand with Spanish group La Playa Golf & Resorts, are the largest of the thirteen real estate development projects associated with tourism in Cuba. During its first construction period, two 18-hole courses are planned to be built, with the novelty of having the first hole in sea, the only one in the world; 1500 rooms, a marina of 300 moorings, and other facilities associated with sailing and sports.

Jaume Roma, commissioned by the Spanish side, said that this destination should become “one of the best spots in the world”; Meanwhile, Raudel García, head of Cubagolf SA, explained that the United States is one of the most important markets for golfers, “a tourist sector that spends four times more than the conventional tourist”. So much potential has caught the attention of a large number of companies, operators and investors from different countries and international activities.

Projects like these are very beneficial for the country since they stimulate foreign direct investment, GDP growth, infrastructure development, the strengthening of bonds with the American tourist market, all contributing to the insertion of Cuba in the “world-system”.

Datos para infografía

The Marlin Business Group is dedicated to the promotion of marine and nautical businesses. Marlin currently has 5 International Marinas, 7 Nautical Bases, 22 Dive Centers and more than 1200 workers throughout the country. Among the services offered by this company are sport fishing, life on board, diving, marine services, excursions, kitesurfing, sea kayak and boat adventure.

Gaviota S.A. is currently the organization with the greatest growth dynamics in the Cuban tourist industry. This group has among its objectives the promotion and sale of hotel and tourism services, as well as its specializations in health, nautical, fishing, diving and other modalities. 

Marinas in Cuba

Marlin Marina Hemingway (La Habana)

Marlin Marina Dársena Varadero (Varadero)

Marlin Marina Cienfuegos Marlin

Marina Cayo Largo (Jardines de la Reina)

Marlin Marina Santiago de Cuba

Bases náuticas Marlin El Colony (Bahía Siguanea, Isla de la Juventud)

Marlin Trinidad Marlin Tarará (La Habana)

Marlin Marina Guardalavaca (Holguín)

Marlin Santa Lucía (Camagüey)

Marlin Marina Jardines del Reina Marlin Jardines del Rey (Cayo Guillermo)
Marina Gaviota Puerto Vita (Holguín)

Marina Gaviota Cabo de San Antonio Marina Gaviota Cayo Coco

Marina Gaviota Las Brujas (Villa Clara) Marina Gaviota Varadero

Golf courses

Varadero Golf Club and Club de Golf de La Habana