InterTabac 24 exclusive: Maya Selva - A woman who is redefining the world of cigars
I had the honor of speaking with Maya Selva. She is not only a well-known personality in the cigar world, but also a true pioneer. Her name is synonymous with cigars from Honduras, and her commitment has made her the first woman to receive a prestigious lifetime achievement award in the tobacco sector.
6 Minutes
Table of contents
The author behind these articles is Oliver - survivalist, winter griller, TV fuzzie from Bonn. He constantly fails at trying to stay sporty, loves cigars, rock'n'roll, barbecues, bad jokes and single malt whisky. He is now too old to grow up.
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Lunch with our cigar was a surprise!
When I meet Maya at her stand, she is bursting with energy and talks about the trade fair so far: "It's been busy, it's been fun, it's been exciting and there's been lots of news." When I ask her what news she means, she replies with a laugh: "Lunch with our cigar and an incredible surprise."
This surprise turns out to be one of the greatest honors in the cigar world: Maya Selva has been awarded a lifetime achievement trophy by Cigar Journal. She is the first woman to receive this award. "You feel very honored when you see all the names that have been honored before you. You suddenly feel this responsibility to honor the history of this small group of honorees." It is an emotional moment and you can sense how much this success means to her. But for Maya, this is not the time to stop. "We started 30 years ago and we still have so much to do!"
The stand of Maya Selva.
New factory in Honduras
Maya Selva continues to talk about her current projects. She has expanded her company with a new factory in Honduras and sees InterTabac as the start of the new year: "For me, the year starts here at InterTabac. It's the moment when we meet our partners from all over the world and present the new cigars."
For Maya Selva, InterTabac is like the New Year - the start of a new year. This is where she meets her friends and colleagues from the industry, and these encounters give her the energy and enthusiasm she needs for the coming year. Her joy at maintaining old friendships and making new contacts at the trade fair shows how deeply rooted she is in the cigar world and how important this community is to her. It is this cohesion that gives her the inspiration and strength for her work.
Expansion to the Ivory Coast
She talks enthusiastically about new blends and limited editions coming onto the market. The expansion into new countries, such as the Ivory Coast, is a source of anticipation for her, as each region brings its own challenges and flavor nuances. "The humidity, the culture of the place - all of this influences how the cigar is perceived," she explains.
The cigar industry has changed in recent decades, and Maya Selva is one of the few women to set the tone in this male-dominated world. But Maya herself doesn't see it that narrowly. "All the important things in life are shared. If you exclude half of humanity, you lose something." She emphasizes that the perception of men and women can be different, but it's not about whether you're a man or a woman - it's about the job.
More wages for my employees
At the end of our conversation, she talks about the future of the cigar industry and the challenges posed by price increases and market developments. Maya has a clear stance: "More than 70% of the value of a cigar comes from human labor. My people want to be paid more, and that is justified." Despite the difficulties, she remains optimistic and also sees opportunities in the price dynamics.
For Maya Selva, InterTabac is not just a trade fair, but a celebration, a family reunion of the cigar world. "Of course there's pressure and stress, but it's still a happy moment. It's nice to see old friends and meet new people."
Maya Selva is a visionary who has shaped the cigar world with her passion, commitment and unique approach. She has proven that women can not only survive in this industry, but also lead it. Her lifetime achievement award is just another sign that she is one of the greats in the cigar world - and she is far from finished.
Another interview about Maya Selva, her new factory in Honduras and her 10-year-old cigar can be read here
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