By: Roberto Campos
Monday, 01/03/2010
Cuba. Despite
the economic crisis, the cigars are giving priority in the taste of the
most knowledgeable smokers, at XII Festival del Habano local industry
executives, who expect a good 2010. The
traditional charity auction raised 805,000 euros and the Habano of the
Year awards went to Cuba Raul Valladares (TABACUBA), Swiss Urs-Peter
Tanner (Intertabak) and the Spanish José Ribagorda (Altadis).
The
closure of this meeting, attended by 1,800 people attended from 70
countries, was to stage the exhibition center of Havana with the bid
PABEXPO humidors and the best cigars, including Cohiba Behike presented
recently.
At
the ceremony the winners were presented Havana of the Year Award,
granted to experts with a long history in promoting Cuban snuff in the
world, or for outstanding achievements in this sector in Cuba's Raul
Valladares Production of TABACUBA; Business, Swiss Urs-Peter Tanner, Intertabak, and notice the Spanish Jose Ribagorda, Altadis.
For
lots auctioned the most significant was the number 6, Cohiba Humidor,
made by the Cuban artisan Jose Ernesto Aguilera, with two towers and
350 cigars, including Cohiba most emblematic, like the novel BHK
(Behike), presented to the market in this Festival.
As
in other years, the auction was led by Briton Simon Chase, the amount
raised will be donated to the Cuban health system, said the organizers.
For
its part, the representative of Chile, Philip Ili Habanosommelier won
the competition, followed by the competitor from Spain, José Joaquín
Cortés, and Nerissa Orinday, the United Arab Emirates.
This
competition tests the skills and knowledge of presenters sommeliers or
wine lists, when proposing the combination of drinks, food and cigars.
At the sitting of awards also had a special recognition from the international corporation Habanos SA Gregory businessmen Relief Villiger Spain and Henry of Germany.
In the Trade Show Booth won the Award for Commercial Modular Company Iberoamericana. A mention was awarded in that category for signature Cuban-Brazilian Brascuba SA
In
Best Free Stand Design, the Award went to the distribution company and
the words CIMEX Cuban to Cuban International Snuff (ICT) and
Promocigar. The Most Visited Stand Award went to Cuba Trade Coffee.
In
his closing remarks the vice president of development of Habanos SA,
Javier Terres, convened the thirteenth edition of the Festival del
Habano for 21 to 25 February 2011.
The Habano reaches more than 160 nations
The
cigars today mark the leadership of premium cigars hand-made in the
global market despite the economic crisis and other negative factors
highlighted the Habanos SA commercial vice president, Manuel Garcia.
To
participants at the XII Festival del Habano, at the Palacio de
Convenciones in Havana, the expert explained that last year Habanos SA,
which trades in over 160 nations, had a turnover of $ 360 million.
Among
the adverse factors that period marked the global economic crisis,
political instability and military in various parts of the world,
influenza A (H1N1), anti-smoking campaigns and taxes in certain
markets.
An
important factor was the involvement in the global travel industry and
its impact on sales Dutty Free (tax-free sales at airports and sea),
which traditionally reach 25% of the market.
In
this regard, Garcia recalled that luxury products in the world (which
includes the cigar) decreased its sales between 8 and 12%, but the
cigar was the least affected due to heavy demand and quality.
However,
cigars grew 1% in share gains in market share, with 71% rise in terms
of units (up from 70% in 2008) and remained 80% in values, although it
decreased 8% in 7% in units and values.
Europe
continues as the main market, Western and Eastern, covering 64% of all
sales of cigars, and in order of increased sales are Spain, France,
Germany, China (including Macau and Hong Kong), Lebanon, Switzerland
and Greece .
Middle East and Asia Pacific, although they also had a decrease, are the more stable markets and greater potential.
The
worldwide network of La Casa del Habano currently has 146 stores and
were open six Cohiba Atmosphere rate, even more luxurious as well as
enhance the appearance of the Castillo del Morro, corners not exceeding
10 square meters to sell cigars .
As the number one selling brand is Montecristo (in particular the Montecristo No.4) with 31% of total sales.
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