Jesús Noguera

What do you do that competing specialists can’t/won’t:

Clients choose my company, Cuba Careo Tours, because I have been working out tourism in Cuba for 23+ years. I am seasoned and experienced and will design a customized program with every detail considered. I am constantly up-to-date on new and exciting places to dine or where to listen to the best music. Cuba is a constant wind of change, and I can easily navigate these changes. I am also fully versed and updated on US travel regulations in Cuba. However, one of the essential offerings all competitors can not offer is I will always assist clients who run out of cash and help them make arrangements to obtain more funds while in Cuba.

What is one of your all-time favorite experiences you’ve been able to pull off for guests?

One of my all-time favorite experiences was in 2016 when I took a group of 10 clients to a baseball game, the playoff game between Havana and Santiago de Cuba. While the game highest officials of the Cuban government attended the game. An entire section was blocked off by the security detail for these high-level officials, with high security and each entrance and area. I secured ten seats for a group of Americans to sit right behind the Cuban officials. It was truly once in a lifetime experience. The clients were pleased to have the best seats in the house. To this day, many of these clients still keep in touch with me and always reminisce about this game.

How do you deal with unforeseen issues on the ground?

I always deal with unforeseen issues with a smile and calmness and am quick to help let the client know what steps are taken to resolve a situation. Keeping clients informed and making efforts to make things better will always go a long way. In 2004, I led a group of 170 clients, 13 buses, and 13 guides. When the clients arrived, only a handful had their luggage, and more than 130 clients’ luggage did not arrive until the following day. I quickly coordinated with the guides, leaders, and hotel staff. We arranged for basic toiletries to be sent to clients’ rooms, along with additional bottles of water and some gifts to help ease the pain. The next day we arranged to pick up their luggage, and we had it delivered directly to their hotel room by the time they arrived back at the hotel that afternoon.