Industry and Tourism awards diplomas to 13 new Festivals of National and International Tourist Interest

Jordi Hereu attends the awards ceremony at the Teatro Real in Madrid

In Madrid, the Minister for Industry and Tourism presided over the presentation of diplomas accrediting 13 local festivities as Festivals of National and International Tourist Interest. These are honorary distinctions awarded by the Ministry of Industry and Tourism to celebrations of notable cultural value, of proven and deep-rooted popular tradition, and with a marked tourist attraction.

The new distinctions - seven of national tourist interest and six international, officially awarded between 2023 and 2024 - were presented at a ceremony at the Royal Theatre in the capital to coincide with World Tourism Day. These awards mean that the list of Festivals of National Tourist Interest now stands at 156, and the list of Festivals of International Interest at 82.

At the ceremony, which was attended by mayors and councillors from the recognised municipalities, regional tourism directors and associations promoting the festivities, and the Secretary of State for Tourism, Rosario Sánchez, Hereu highlighted the potential attraction of these distinctions for national and international tourism, which contribute to advancing the ministry's objectives in favour of the deconcentration and deseasonalisation of tourist flows, and which have a special impact on cultural and inland tourism. For her part, Rosario Sánchez wanted to recognise the effort and dedication of all the people, from the administrations to civil society groups, who get involved every year in the organisation of these festivities.

The seven Festivals of National Tourist Interest that have received their diplomas are the Festa da Filloa de Lestedo in Boquixón (A Coruña), the Festa da Empanada da Bandeira in Silleda (Pontevedra), Easter Week in Córdoba, Las Fallas in Gandía (Valencia), the Escobazos in Jarandilla de la Vera (Cáceres), the Jornadas Medievales in Ávila and Easter Week in Sahagún (León). To be recognised as a Festival of National Interest, it is necessary to have previously obtained the distinction of Festival of Interest of the Autonomous Community based on a series of criteria such as the origin, antiquity and traditional roots of the festival, among others.

The six declarations of Festivals of International Tourist Interest that have received their diplomas are the Fiesta de la Lamprea de Arbo (Pontevedra), Arde Lucus (Lugo), the Easter Week of Cieza (Murcia), the Carnival of Las Palmas (Las Palmas), the Magic Autumn (Baños de Montemayor, Hervás, La Garganta, Gargantilla, Aldeanueva del Camino, Segura de Toro, Casas del Monte and Abadía, all in the province of Cáceres) and the Moors and Christians of Ontiyent (Valencia). To be recognised as a Festival of International Tourist Interest, it is necessary to have been declared of National Tourist Interest for at least five years.

Friday 27 September marked World Tourism Day, which in 2024 invites us to reflect on the interconnections between tourism and peace. On the occasion of this day, UN Tourism, the former World Tourism Organisation, whose headquarters are in Madrid, wanted to highlight the potential of tourism, not only to promote economic prosperity, but also to foster cultural ties and strengthen coexistence between territories and people.

Non official translation