Twenty-six Fort Worth Sister Cities International delegates will depart Friday on an eight day educational mission to Cuba to learn more about the country and to promote Fort Worth. The delegation will consist of representatives from the business, education, arts and tourism sectors.

While there the delegation will visit Santa Clara, Trinidad, Cienfuegos, the Viñales Valley and Havana.

Special meetings are set with the U.S. Embassy staff in Havana to discuss the current political climate of the country. While in Havana the delegation will also meet with Professor Carlos Alzugaray Treto on U.S./Cuba Relations. Professor Alzugaray is the Former Cuban Ambassador to the European Union and former Director of the Institute of Foreign Relations in Havana.

“Fort Worth is looking for new opportunities to connect with the world. We are not actively seeking a new sister city at this time but a city in Cuba could be a possibility in the future,” said Michael Bennett, Board Chair. “With diplomatic relations now established between the U.S. and Cuba and travel restrictions being lifted soon, a relationship with Cuba could be of benefit to Fort Worth residents.”

Sister Cities is working with Cuba Cultural Travel, an operator under a “People to People” license required by the U.S. Dept. of Treasury who sets regulations for any American citizen wishing to travel to Cuba.

The delegation will be led by Fort Worth Sister Cities board members Mike and Rae Hyatt, Ann Rice, and President/CEO Mae Ferguson.