Yesterday, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, the president of the Group of World Heritage Cities of Spain, and mayor of La Laguna, unveiled the 2024 action plan aimed at promoting the 15 Spanish cities with the Unesco seal in key international markets across Europe, the United States, and Canada. The presentation was made during Fitur in Madrid, where the mayors gathered for the group’s general assembly, wherein the budget for the year and the Tourism Operational Plan were approved.
The assembly also greenlit the schedule of major cultural and sporting events for 2024, as well as the promotion of the events calendar to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Group. Queen Sofía is set to preside over the extraordinary concert of the Group, scheduled for March 8 at La Laguna cathedral. The lineup of events for the 30th anniversary will also feature drone shows customized for each of the 15 cities, the inaugural rugby tournament in heritage cities, and a program of performances in unique candlelit spaces, featuring local artists and prominent cultural figures, with limited capacity.
In terms of promoting the 15 cities this year, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez emphasized that “it will position the Spanish Heritage Cities brand in Europe, America, and Asia, with a presence at prominent global trade fairs such as those in Brussels, ITB-Berlin, ILTM (International Luxury Travel Market) in Singapore and Asia Pacific, JATA-Japan, as well as at the World Travel Market in London, in this very special year as our entity celebrates the 30th anniversary of its establishment”.
According to the president, “we have also planned participation in technical conferences in Japan, the United States, China, and technical and institutional presentations in Chicago, Toronto, and the United Arab Emirates. In the case of Central Europe, we will also hold presentations in Switzerland and Ireland.”
The councilor of La Laguna highlighted that “this year will see significant promotion for the Heritage Cities as representatives of the Spain brand, with promotional activities alongside Turespaña through the Tourist Offices worldwide.”
Turespaña
During this day, the group also unveiled its Tourism Operational Plan at the Turespaña stand in Fitur, in an event attended by Rosana Morillo, the Secretary of State for Tourism.
Furthermore, the group is currently convening the first meeting of its Tourism Commission at Fitur and the presentation of the Operational Plan with Paradores. Additionally, the mayor of La Laguna and president of the Group of Heritage Cities, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, will accept the award bestowed upon the city as Spain’s Best Tourist Destination 2024, conferred by the Spanish Federation of Tourism Journalists and Writers.
The Group of World Heritage Cities of Spain aims to collaboratively work on the conservation, enhancement, and tourism promotion of the 15 cities recognized by UNESCO.
