The Association of World Heritage Cities in Spain has announced the launch of an extensive international promotional campaign during Fitur, in collaboration with Turespaña and Paradores. Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, the president of the Association and mayor of La Laguna, unveiled the plans to promote the cultural heritage cities in key international markets including Europe, the United States, and Canada. These presentations took place at the Turespaña booth at Fitur, in the presence of the Secretary of State for Tourism, Rosana Morillo, and at the Paradores booth, along with the president-CEO of Paradores, Raquel Sánchez Jiménez.
Luis Yeray Gutiérrez emphasized that “the 2024 action plan aims to elevate the Spanish Heritage Cities brand across Europe, America, and Asia, with participation in major global fairs, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of its establishment.” “The Heritage Cities aspire to maintain exceptional tourism figures by promoting unique experiences in outdoor museums, where visitors can revel in our rich heritage, cultural events, nature, gastronomy, sports, and our way of life,” he added.
The Secretary of State for Tourism commended “the fruitful collaboration between Turespaña and the Association of Heritage Cities, enabling us to jointly position the Spanish brand in key source markets and showcase the best of our culture and gastronomy.”
Furthermore, regarding Paradores, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez underscored that “they are our preferred partner, and we will continue to collaborate on joint promotion and marketing activities.” He also reaffirmed that “our goal remains to have Paradores establishments in the 15 cities represented by the Association,” expressing hope to soon establish a Parador in three cities: San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tarragona, and Baeza.
Tourism Commission
Yesterday, Fitur also hosted the inaugural meeting of the Association’s Tourism Commission in 2024, presided over by Luis Yeray Gutiérrez. The commission focused on outlining the calendar of participation in major global fairs, including those in Brussels, ITB-Berlin, ILTM (International Luxury Travel Market) in Singapore and Asia Pacific, JATA-Japan, as well as the World Travel Market in London.
Moreover, Gutiérrez elaborated, “We have planned technical and institutional presentations, such as with Paradores in Chicago and Toronto. In Europe, we will be present in Switzerland, Ireland, London, Berlin, and Cannes. Our aim is also to tap into the Latin American market, specifically Brazil and Mexico. Additionally, Heritage Cities will be promoted for the first time in the United Arab Emirates. All these efforts will culminate with the Association’s participation in the Turespaña conference in China.”
Meanwhile, Estefanía Díaz, the Councilor for Tourism of La Laguna, emphasized the productive nature of the meeting “to reinforce partnerships and develop strategies that promote our heritage, natural wonders, and cultural legacy.”
