The acting Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, has delivered today in Madrid to the Mayor of Vigo, Abel Caballero, the diploma that accredits the Celebration of the Reconquest of the city as a Festival of National Tourist Interest.
The act, held at the headquarters of the Ministry, was attended by the Secretary of State for Tourism, Isabel Oliver, the president of the Diputación de Pontevedra, Carmela Silva, and the delegate of the Free Trade Zone of Vigo, David Regades.
The Reconquista commemorates each year the popular uprising against the French troops in 1809. It had already been declared Festa de Interese Turístico Galego in 2012. The distinction is the first of these characteristics that the city of Vigo achieves.
The Secretary of State for Tourism has agreed to grant this honorary title after verifying compliance with the requirements (twenty-five years old, sufficient hotel capacity and a minimum number of press mentions to prove his popularity), and has given his approval to the Xunta de Galicia, to the Concello de Vigo and to the Casco Vello association, organizer of the party.
With the declaration of the Reconquest as a Festival of National Tourist Interest, Galicia now has twelve festivals with this recognition, which is granted to events of cultural values and popular tradition with undoubted tourist attraction.