cultural tourism

Located in the centre of Catalonia, the area of Penedès is known for its high quality wine and cava. Due to the long tradition in this region of the production of these drinks and the growing presence of wine tourism, it was decided to strengthen the offers of this sector. On this occasion, after two and a half years of building work, the old Vinseum - Wine Culture Museum of Catalonia - has been reopened with new exhibits in a new location: the Royal Palace of Vilafranca del Penedès. However, this is not just a museum of the production of wine; it is based on wine as a cultural, social, historical and scientific phenomenon.

The Ebro Delta city has recovered part of its Jewish heritage, renovating the old Jewish quarter. In addition, with this initiative, the city wants to attract Jewish tourism which visits Catalonia. Five Catalan municipalities integrated in the 'Jewish Network': Barcelona, Girona, Besalú, Castelló d'Empúries, and Tortosa.

The arrival of foreign tourists with a greater purchasing power increases tourist income in Catalonia by 15% during the first four months of the year, compared to the same period last year. Traditionally Greece was the main destination for Russian citizens on holidays; however, the economic and political crisis the Hellenic country is going through has placed Catalonia on top of the list of Russian tourist priorities.

A group of international bloggers with two million followers are traveling to different regions in Catalonia. These well-known tourist bloggers from the USA, Canada and United Kingdom are explaining their trip experiences through the internet, using the hashtag #catalunyaexperience. The Catalan Tourism Agency (ACT) has come up with the initiative.

The number of international tourists who have visited Catalonia over the first three months of 2012 reached 2,162,337 people. This figure is a 9.9% increase over last year and represents 23.5% of the total number of foreigners visiting Spain.

Tourism from Russia and former Soviet republics has been increasing in Catalonia over the last few years. The Russian tour operator Natalie Tours announced that it will bring 35,000 Ukrainian tourists to Spain, 80% them going to Catalan beaches and the rest to the Canary Islands. Within the next 5 years, the number of Ukrainian tourists is expected to reach half million people. Furthermore, the number of tourists from Eastern Europe is expected to increase between 35% and 40%.

Foreign tourists generated a record amount of revenue last year. The number of visitors also grew by 5.7% in 2011, according to the Catalan Government. Furthermore, Catalonia’s stand at Europe’s most important tourist fair, FITUR, has been declared the best in the current campaign.

The new cultural facility explains how was life in Manresa, central Catalonia, during the Middle Age. The new centre aims to generate tourism for the city. It was unveiled last weekend.

The new art museum will focus on Catalan painting and will display parts of the Thyssen-Bornemisza collection. The city council approved the excutive project to build the Thyssen Museum. The project will cost 15 million euros (3 less than initially planned) and will restore an old cork factory.

Catalonia’s International Tourism Fair is currently taking place and will run until this Sunday. Barcelona broke all records in 2010 regarding visitors. 7.3 million tourists visited the Catalan capital and there were 14 million hotel nights booked by visitors. The Catalan Minister for Business and Employment, who is in charge of tourism, expects 2011 for Catalonia to be “exceptional”.

Two Catalans opened a guided tour business in Berlin making the most of the economic crisis and the fact that the city was ‘fashionable’. They set up ‘Cultourberlin’, a project that would offer Spanish and Catalan tourists guided tours of Berlin