Catalonia promotes its gastronomy and wine at 'World Travel Market'
Catalonia promoted itself as a leading tourist destination at London World Travel Market, one of the most important global events for the travel industry. This year, Catalonia’s strategy focused on its selection as European Region of Gastronomy 2016, so that routes based on local food and wine have been designed to add value to Catalonia’s traditional attractions. “We must appreciate the gastronomic richness of our country” stated Delegate of the Catalan Government to the UK, Josep Manuel Suárez, who highlighted the Mediterranean diet as “fundamental”. Throughout the week, Catalonia’s stand will offer to the 50,000 visitors expected to attend the fair an image of the territory that goes beyond sun and beaches, promoting the Pyrenees region and cities with a relevant Roman heritage such as Tarragona. The aim is to diversify Catalonia’s tourism and to become a city break destination as well.
London (CNA).- Catalan participation at London World Travel Market, one of the most important fairs for the travel industry, focuses this year on local gastronomy and wine. Coinciding with its selection as the European Region of Gastronomy 2016, the Catalan Tourism Agency is promoting a wide range of routes based on restaurants which are Michelin-star holders and itineraries around the within the main wines’ denominations of origin areas. “We must appreciate the gastronomic richness of our country” stated Delegate of the Catalan Government to the UK, Josep Manuel Suárez, who highlighted the Mediterranean diet as “fundamental”. Throughout the week, Catalonia’s stand will offer to the 50,000 visitors expected to attend the fair an image of the territory that goes beyond sun and beaches, promoting the Pyrenees region and cities with a relevant Roman heritage such as Tarragona. “We want to diversify our tourism" stated Catalan Agency of Tourism director Xavier Espasa, "promoting a responsible, city break kind of tourism which goes beyond our sun and beaches”.
Catalonia selected as European Region of Gastronomy 2016
Catalonia is much more than Barcelona, sun and beaches. “We want to diversify our tourism" stated Catalan Agency of Tourism director Xavier Espasa, "promoting a responsible, city break kind of tourism which goes beyond our sun and beaches”. To do so, the Catalan Agency of Tourism has centred its strategy on promoting Catalonia’s selection as European Region of Gastronomy 2016 and adding value to the traditional attractions. “2016 will be a very special year for Catalonia, especially regarding gastronomic experiences and itineraries” stated Espasa “our chefs, those who have Michelin stars and others who don’t, will have a great opportunity to show the world our gastronomy and wines and our routes based on this”.
To promote this heritage, the Catalan Agency of Tourism has designed several routes based on restaurants around the territory which are Michelin-stars holders and also local cellars, such as Torres and Codorniu, which are internationally renowned for their production of wine and cava. “Routes based on gastronomy and wine are being more appreciated and visited each year” underlined Espasa. “We must appreciate the gastronomic richness of our country” stated Delegate of the Catalan Government to the UK, Josep Manuel Suárez, who highlighted the Mediterranean diet as “fundamental”.
More than sun, beaches and beyond Barcelona city
Throughout the week, Catalonia’s 300m2 stand will offer an image of the territory that goes beyond Barcelona. The 50,000 visitors expected at the fair can find detailed information on Catalonia’s touristic offering, which is divided into nine brands: Costa Brava (North Coast), Costa Barcelona (the beaches around the Barcelona area), Barcelona, Costa Daurada (South Coast), Terres de l’Ebre (in the South), Central Catalonia, Lleida region (in the East), Val d’Aran and the Pyrenees. “People discovered Catalonia’s touristic potential in the 60’s and 70’s and they were attracted by our sun and beaches” stated Delegate of the Catalan Government to the UK Josep Manuel Suárez, who pointed out that besides its 4,000 kilometres of beaches, Catalonia has much more to offer “we have history, gastronomy, architecture, the Pyrenees and cities beyond Barcelona, such as Tarragona, which have a huge Roman heritage”. “Visiting our country requires a lot of time” he concluded.
UK visitors to Catalonia lead the spending ranking
UK is a mature strategic market for Catalonia, as it is the second issuing country in terms of number of tourists. From January to September, 1.5 million Britons visited Catalonia, generating nearly 1,200 million euros. “Catalonia will continue to support mature markets such as the British, French and German markets but also emerging ones such as South Asian and South American” stated Catalan Tourism Agency director, Xavier Espasa. This year, for the fourth time in a row, the Catalan Tourism Agency was awarded the World Responsible Tourism Day, which recognises those entities which promote responsible tourism.
London World Travel Market, leading event for the travel industry
Staged annually in London, World Travel Market - the leading global event for the travel industry - is a vibrant must attend business-to-business event presenting a diverse range of destinations and industry sectors to both UK-based and international travel professionals. It provides a unique opportunity for the whole global travel trade to meet, network, negotiate and conduct business.
More than 50,000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international press, visit ExCeL London every November to network, negotiate and discover the latest industry opinion and trends at WTM. The event, now in its 36th year, generates more than £2.5 billion in travel industry contracts.
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