In different parts of the country the World Tourism Day with a packed agenda of institutional events, cultural offerings, and shared commitments to sustainability, in line with the motto chosen by the World Tourism Organization: "Tourism and Sustainable Transformation".
The commemoration has served to make visible projects that integrate quality, accessibility and social benefit, in addition to putting numbers to the progress of the sector, from the improvement of air connectivity to new initiatives of urban tourism, heritage and congresses.
Seville strengthens a responsible and competitive tourism model
In the Andalusian capital, the main event took place on board a boat from the Seville company City Sightseeing, on a tour of the Guadalquivir with professionals from the sectorThe mayor, José Luis Sanz, stressed that tourism must translate into stable employment, cultural revitalization and well-being for all neighborhoods, insisting on growing in a sustainable way. balanced and sustainable.
Data from January to July confirm this line: 2.148.385 travelers, 4.810.862 overnight stays, an average stay of 2,24 nights and an occupancy rate of 74,59%. In addition, the business fabric grows with more establishments open (+11,67%) and 5.077 people directly employed in the sector.
In the premium segment, the council highlights a notable advance: in two years the high-end offer would have increased by 30%, with half of the hotels already located in the 4 and 5 star categories and the planned opening of nine new hotels of this profile. The arrival of international brands, including Four Seasons, is interpreted as a boost to this positioning, which the local government links to planning, listening to the sector and striving for excellence.
Air connectivity is also achieving milestones. Since 2023, Ruta 31, reaching 87 international destinations in 22 markets with 29 airlines. Between January and July alone, the airport exceeded 5,5 million passengers (+5% year-on-year). Direct connections to Amsterdam, Berlin, Lyon, Milan, Rotterdam, Essaouira, Tenerife and Gran Canaria are announced for this autumn, in addition to a daily route to Istanbul operated by Turkish Airlines connecting to more than 200 destinations in Asia, Africa and Oceania.
The City Council also highlighted actions such as the Tourism Quality Board, the expansion of the visitor information network, the diversification of supply towards new neighborhoods and the "Sevilla For All" program as a benchmark project in accessibility.
Extremadura turns heritage into an open classroom
The Regional Government of Extremadura, in collaboration with the City Council of Mérida, celebrated the anniversary on the esplanade of the Aqueduct of MiraclesThe Director General of Tourism, Óscar Mateos, and Councillor Felipe González welcomed the attendees, highlighting the social, cultural and economic value of tourism and its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals.
The program included guided tours of UNESCO heritage sites, captive balloon flights, children's workshops (cooking, Roman pottery, badge making) and a treasure hunt. Gastronomy took center stage with guided tastings of products from the Sustainable Gastronomic Routes —Iberian Dehesa de Extremadura, Cheese, Oil and Wine and Cava Ribera del Guadiana—, with two different passes: one salty and one sweet.
The venue had an area of food trucks and agri-food exhibition, and the creativity was provided by a group of urban sketchers who drew a collective mural about Extremadura on site. The day concluded with live music by Swing Ton ni Song, DJ entertainment, and a show. "The Magical Night".
Cáceres opens its centers and boosts congress tourism
The Department of Tourism of Cáceres organized a day of open doors in three municipal facilities: the Bujaco Heritage and Archaeological Complex, the Baluarte de los Pozos Archaeological Area, and the Cáceres Holy Week Information Center, with hours from 10:00 a.m. to 14:00 p.m. and from 17:30 p.m. to 20:30 p.m.
In addition, a tour to the Monumental Complex, departing from the main entrance of the Town Hall (Plaza Mayor) at 10:00. The council encouraged citizens to join, emphasizing the role of tourism as a local economic engine.
Prior to the anniversary, the City Council arranged a meeting with the sector to sign with the Extremadura Tourism Cluster an agreement that strengthens the "Cáceres Convention Bureau", with the aim of promoting the attracting conferences and events.
Recognitions in the province of Seville
The Provincial Council of Seville, through Prodetur, held in the Monclova Castle (Sources of Andalusia) The 2nd World Tourism Day Gala and the 2nd Provincial Tourism Awards. The event brought together institutional and professional representatives from the sector to highlight the excellence and the vocation of service.
During the gala, awards were given ten awards, with performances by Pastora Soler and Manuel Lombo, and a tasting under the brand "Flavors of the Province of Seville." The monumental lighting and the ambiance of the space highlighted the heritage of the host enclave and the character collaborative destiny.
Local initiatives and heritage voices
From Medina of Pomar (Burgos) a very positive summer balance was shared: in July and August, the Historical Museum of the Merindades received 10.103 visitors, driven by the exhibition "Secrets of Egypt in the Alcázar" and events such as the Night On WhiteCouncillor Nerea Angulo highlighted that these data reflect the interest in the city and the work for quality experiences, with an autumn agenda that combines heritage, nature and gastronomy under criteria of sustainable tourism.
La Cathedral of Sevilla He thanked those who choose it as a meeting place with history, faith, art and architecture, recalling that the cultural visit contributes to maintenance and restoration From the temple.
For its part, the City Council Puebla expressed its support for the year's motto and advanced the preparation of a ornithological tourism event high-level, with the participation of Pablo de Olavide University, Doñana 21 Foundation, Cañada de los Pájaros, Salarte Foundation and other agents, aligning nature, science and local development.
The set of acts and indicators leaves an image of destinations that seek more quality and less footprint, with policies that balance growth, connectivity, accessibility and heritage care, and with citizens invited to participate and enjoy responsible experiences.
