The Secretary of State for Tourism, Fernando Valdes, has started this Wednesday a two-day visit to the Valencian Community, with Benidorm, capital of the Costa Blanca, as the first stop.
"Benidorm is a reference for Spain, for the Valencian Community and for the set of international tourist flows", stressed the Secretary of State, who has valued the "effort of its administrations and its citizens to turn Benidorm into a destination safe, sustainable and capable of adapting to new situations that require not only the effects of COVID, but also new trends associated with tourism ”.
In statements to the media accompanied by the mayor of the city, Antonio Pérez, and the regional secretary for Tourism, Frances Colomer, Valdés stressed the importance of "unity" and collaboration between the different levels of the Administration. "It is essential that at a time like the present, a difficult time for society as a whole and for the tourism sector, we are together, sharing the challenges, the analysis and participating collaboratively all the administrations together with the sector", he highlighted .
Valdés has made it clear that the Government of Spain will be "always by the side" of the tourism sector due to its strategic nature "not only economically but also socially". Asked about an eventual extension of the ERTE, he has been "optimistic" that an agreement can be reached within the framework of social dialogue "beneficial for the whole of the Spanish economy and especially for a sector that is very affected such as tourism."
The Secretary of State has known the Smart Data Office, the data analysis center that allows to know in detail the profiles and preferences of the visitor to the city, with the aim of having the best information to adapt supply and communication to tourists.
Benidorm was the first destination in Spain to be recognized as a Smart Tourist Destination and the only one currently certified after passing the audit of the UNE 178501 standard for the Smart Tourist Destination Management System.
Denia and Gandía
After a visit to the Valencian Institute of Tourism, where he has met with representatives of the tourism sector, the Secretary of State has moved to Denia, recognized as a Creative City of Gastronomy by Unesco, where he has lunch with the mayor, Vicent Grimalt, and representatives of the gastronomic sector.
Valdés ends his agenda for today with a visit to Gandía, where the mayor, Diana Morant, will receive him.
