Cuba’s Gaviota Group is getting set for major expansion over the next few years with officials – visiting Toronto this week – announcing they will have two new hotels for this winter season at the Villa Clara and Jardines del Rey Keys and by 2018 will boast 15,000 rooms with 30 new hotels in Havana, Varadero, Ciego de Avila, Camaguey, Holguin, Keys at the North of Villa Clara and Baracoa. The hotel group is also investing major money in refurbishing and upgrading existing properties. Gaviota, which currently has 55 hotels in Cuba, works in co-operation with such international brands as Melia, Riu, Iberostar and Occidental. Pictured at a media event in Toronto are (l-r) Frank Oltuski, vice-president of marketing, Gaviota; Carlos Latuff, executive president, Gaviota; Eloy Govea, director, Cuba Tourist Board; Javier Domkos, Consul General of Cuba in Toronto; and Gustavo Rodriguez, Cuba Tourist Board.