He points out that on May 8 the study of the need for the second runway at the Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández airport will be presented “with rigor and solvency.”
Claims the tourism industry for its contribution to economic and social development and reiterates the Consell's commitment to defending it and a model compatible with sustainability
It highlights the tourism policies that this Council has implemented, such as the elimination of the tourist tax “in which the sector goes from resignation to ambition”
The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, has appealed to the unity of the tourism sector to demand the second runway of the Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández airport, as well as the expansion of the Manises airport during his participation in the General Assembly of Hosbec (Hotel Business Association and tourism of the Valencian Community) and has stated that delaying it “is irresponsible.”
The head of the Consell has pointed out in his speech the leadership of the Valencian Community in tourism forecasts and has highlighted the 25% increase in foreign tourists in our territory between January and February 2024 compared to the same period of the previous year, when the Spanish average It stands at 16%.
In this sense, he has pointed out the need to “resolve now” the expansions of the airports and has advanced that on May 8 the study of the need for the second runway will be presented at the Alicante fair institution and together with the Chamber of Commerce. of the Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández airport “which will prove the need and urgency” of this infrastructure because “every day that passes is a loss of employment, competitiveness and economic impact.”
Defense of the tourism industry
During his speech, Carlos Mazón reiterated the commitment of this Council to the defense of the tourism industry of the Community and praised its “drive, complicity and rigor”, its contribution to the social and economic development of our territory and the joint work carried out. with the sector.
Thus, he has defended tourism as “another industry in our territory in which other different things are manufactured, with the same dignity and quality as the rest of the productive sectors”, while stating that “the Valencian Community does not even want, "You cannot, nor should you, give up any activity." Likewise, he has advocated for “rigor, common sense and balance” with a growth model compatible with sustainability.
Along these lines, he stated that in the Community "we have cured ourselves of the allergy to tourism" and has referred to the change in tourism policies that the Consell has implemented "with work and ambition, with guarantees and legal security", as well as to the integration of environmental, socioeconomic and territorial sustainability criteria in our tourism offer.
Likewise, he stressed that the elimination of the tourist tax by this Consell “was not just a regulatory action or tax measure” but “a declaration of intentions in which tourism went from resignation to ambition.”
Likewise, he has pointed out that at international fairs in the sector "the Consell no longer goes to promote it with small mouths because we believe we are the model and we are never going to put it under surveillance."
The head of the Consell has explained that this plan will provide “stability, security and investments, which is what our firefighters need” and has highlighted the “urgency to solve a situation that has been entrenched for many years and with obsolete means.”
This plan, which will improve the security and operation of the service 24 hours a day, will introduce a third shift with an investment of more than 3.5 million euros to multiply the operation of the units, facilitate the mobilization and coordination of means and improve firefighting effectiveness in the field. Thus, he pointed out that starting tomorrow the budget procedure will begin so that the third shift comes into operation this year.
The agreement contemplates extending the hiring of the reinforcement until the end of the year while the third shift process is implemented. Likewise, the forest firefighters who currently make up the reinforcement will be able to stabilize their situation in the company by joining the third shift.
In the same way, he has indicated that in parallel a negotiation schedule will begin with the forest firefighters to address the collective agreement and the employment situation of the workers.
For her part, the Minister of Justice and the Interior, Elisa Núñez, has indicated that “since we assumed management of the Department of the Interior, one of our priorities has been the forest firefighters and their families. From the first moment we started to work on a strategic plan that is allowing us to now define a future for the company and the stability of the workers.”
Thus, he has shown his satisfaction with the agreements reached "because they confirm the support of the Consell and the forest firefighters to guarantee the best service of this company, putting an end to the excesses and previous mismanagement."
Incorporation of new equipment
On the other hand, Carlos Mazón has also announced that a SGISE master plan will be launched to begin the reinforcement and renewal of the material with which forest firefighters work.
In this sense, he has denounced the poor state of the material and equipment of forest firefighters in recent years and has pointed out the incorporation of fire engines "as a priority of this Consell."
Finally, he described this agreement as “a before and after” in the implementation of the stabilization and improvement of the safety of forest firefighters, to whom he thanked for the coordination to carry it out, as well as the “service essential” that they provide from professionalism.
The councilor, José Luis Aguirre, will lead the representation of the Generalitat on the opening day on Monday, visiting the venue, holding meetings with the Valencian businessmen present at the event and expressing the support of the Valencian Government for the agri-food sector.
In this sense, Aguirre has valued the commitment to differentiated quality and innovation of these companies in an increasingly competitive and globalized sector.
In addition, he added that attendance at Gourmets represents a business opportunity for the sector, which shows its delicatessen products in a forum that brings together more than 55,000 products and more than 100,000 visitors from all over the world and that has an estimated business volume close to 200 million euros.
The exhibitor of the Department of Agriculture, located in pavilion 6 of IFEMA, has an area of 519 square meters and hosts 48 of the 74 firms from the Valencian Community that attend the fair.
Among the co-exhibiting companies that meet at the Ministry's stand are producers and marketers of extra virgin olive oil, wine and spirits, producers of honey, truffles, nuts and spices, organic producers and producers of figurines. differentiated quality such as Valencia Rice, Jijona Turrón or Valencia Chufa.
Live cooking
During the days of the event, the Department of Agriculture will have the collaboration of the Tourism Centers to carry out show cooking with the products exhibited by the participating companies at the Valencian Community stand.
Thus, the chefs from the Dénia Tourism CentrE and l'Exquisit Mediterrani, Vicent Simó and María José Peiró, will prepare visitors tastings of typically Valencian dishes, such as paellas, fideuás, creamy rice and other haute cuisine dishes.
In addition, there will be culinary exhibitions held by two Michelin-starred Castellón restaurants: the Atalaya Restaurant in Alcossebre and the Cal Paradís Restaurant in the Vall d'Alba. Its chefs, Alejandra Herrador and Emanuel Carlucci (Atalaya) and Miguel Barrera (Cal Paradís) will offer samples of some of their creations, made with local and seasonal products from the Valencian Community.
The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, and the presidents of the provincial councils of Alicante, Valencia and Castellón have signed the cooperation agreements between the Generalitat and the three provincial councils to promote citizen participation, transparency and good government at the local level through the granting of aid to local entities with less than 20,000 inhabitants.
Mazón has indicated that the signing of this agreement "is a priority" and has highlighted that "we continue working from a Generalitat that is committed to the municipalities and the provinces, like that great sum that is the Valencian Community."
The head of the Consell has highlighted that this alliance "is fundamental for small municipalities" because the Generalitat and the councils "we all work together" and opening "an important municipalist stage that is what has launched this government of change."
This agreement has been signed by the three presidents who have agreed on the essentiality of this agreement for the small towns of the Community.
The president of the Alicante Provincial Council, Toni Pérez, has highlighted the “firm commitment to opening the government of the Generalitat Valenciana through the provincial councils and thus reaching the municipalities.” For his part, the president of the Valencia Provincial Council, Vicent Mompó, has expressed his joy in betting on towns with less than 20,000 inhabitants, which "is where the provincial councils should be." The president of the Castellón Provincial Council, Marta Barrachina, has also stressed that thanks to this agreement "the smallest town councils in the province of Castellón will be able to promote transparency and citizen participation through their associations."
Cooperation agreements
This agreement allocates one million euros to these municipalities and will improve management, avoid duplication and increase the amount and impact of the projects.
The objective of this agreement is for the small municipalities of the Community to implement projects and equip themselves with the necessary tools to comply with the obligations of transparency, active advertising and promotion of participation.
For the distribution of the credit, within each type of actions, the number of inhabitants of the local entities requesting the subsidy will be taken into account and it will be guaranteed that those with a smaller population have a reserve percentage of the total funds.
HOSBEC's Bigdata department analyzes the data from the first half of April, finding in all the destinations and areas analysed below the records reached in the same period of the previous year. A not alarming fact, since in 2023 Easter was located in these first 15 days of the month, which was an extra boost for the data.
Those associated with HOSBEC located in the city of Valencia recorded the best data with 80.7%, and the province follows the same line, ending the fortnight with 80.5%. In the province of Alicante, the Benidorm destination , with a hotel plant at full capacity that combines more than 43,700 beds, puts the average fortnightly occupancy at 75.6% , while the rest of the Costa Blanca stands at 74. 3% with points like Calpe on the same page (74%).
Tourists from the United Kingdom take Benidorm as their favorite destination, representing 45.2% of the total , and also tops the list of international tourists in Valencia with 9.4%. In both cases there is a greater presence of international guests, especially in the city of Turia with a 73.2% total share, with markets such as Germany, the Netherlands and the United States between 8.5% and 9%. .
A totally different situation is observed in the province of Castellón where the domestic market predominates with 83.2% . The average occupancy of associates in the region these days is practically 60% below the records for the month of March.
As relevant data, the consolidated reservations for the second fortnight of the month stand out, which in most areas and destinations are higher than the occupancy data for this first fortnight . Figures that, if time allows, will grow in the coming days.
Below, we offer you a detailed analysis of hotel occupancy in different parts of the Valencian Community.
The annual hotel occupancy report prepared by BigDataHOSBEC for the following tourist spots in the Valencian Community is now available:
Benidorm
White shore
Province of Valencia
Province of Castellón
You can view the full report at the following link:
Biweekly hotel occupancy evolution report – 1st fortnight April 2024
BENIDORM
The Benidorm destination slightly exceeds the data from the last fortnight with 75.6% occupancy, and is 3.6 points away from the 2023 records that included the celebration of Holy Week. (see the weekly evolution of the hotel occupancy in the report bar graph).
In the first 15 days of April, the Spanish market represents 45.2% of the total compared to 54.8% belonging to the international market, which is led by the United Kingdom with 41.3%. Behind the British market and at a long distance, is the Belgian market with 3.3% , the Dutch market ( 2.4%) and the Irish market ( 2.3%). The rest of the issuing markets do not exceed 1% representation in any case.
The month of April is expected to end with positive values, since the volume of confirmed reservations for the last days of the month is already 77% , only 2.4 points below the previous year's data in the same period.
COSTA BLANCA
The Costa Blanca area (not including Benidorm) increases its occupancy figure to 74.3%, remaining 3.5 percentage points away from the previous fortnight . In this period, the destination of Calpe stands out with 74% and L'Alfàs del Pi/El Albir with 67.4%. (see the weekly evolution of hotel occupancy in the bar graph of the report).
Tourists of international origin represent 47.6% of the total , compared to 52.4% nationally. After the Spanish market, the most prominent nationalities are the British (10.8%) , Belgian (7%) and Norwegian (4.6%) . The next most representative, located between 3% and 2%, would be the Dutch, French, Polish, Swedish, German and Irish.
Regarding the forecast for the last days of April, 76.5% of rooms are already reserved, a figure that already exceeds the occupancy of the first half of April by 2.2 points.
PROVINCE OF VALENCIA
From April 1 to 15, the province of Valencia recorded an occupancy rate of 80.5%, maintaining the data from the previous fortnight in which there were Holy Week holidays . (see the weekly evolution of hotel occupancy in the bar graph of the report).
Domestic tourism heads the table of nationalities with 43.4% of the total volume, with the remaining 56.6% belonging to the international market. Segmenting the latter, which is characterized by presenting a great variety of origins, are, with greater representation over the total, German (7.2%), British (6.1%), Italian (5.2%). , and Dutch (5%) . The American and Portuguese are in the following positions.
Confirmed reservations in hotel management programs for the second half of the month are already close to 80% , a behavior similar to that of 2023.
PROVINCE OF CASTELLÓN
During the first half of April, practically all of the hotel establishments associated with HOSBEC in the province are already open. In this way, from April 1 to 15, the province of Castellón has an average occupancy rate of 59.1%. (see the weekly evolution of hotel occupancy in the bar graph of the report).
The national tourist remains loyal to the province and on this occasion stands at 83.2%. The remaining 16.8% belongs to international tourism, led by the French market with 5.8%, followed by the German market with 1.7% , the Italian and British market (1.3%) and, finally, the Belgian and Irish with 1% representation in both cases .
For the days from April 16 to 30, there is already a volume of confirmed reservations of 58.6%, so it is expected that the data for this fortnight can be improved thanks to last-minute reservations.
Altogether, Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana (FGV) between Metrovalencia and TRAM d'Alacant added a total of 12,189,220 users in March, which represents 7.55% more of the movements accumulated in this same month in 2023 and 856,411 travelers further.
According to the distribution by lines, Line 2, which connects Luceros with San Vicent del Raspeig, was the most used with 660,307 movements; followed by Line 1, which connects Luceros and Benidorm, which reached 325,140; Line 3, which connects Luceros with El Campello, achieved 253,346; Line 4, which connects Luceros with Plaza La Coruña, added 189,725; Line 9, which runs between Benidorm and Dénia, accumulated 99,766; and finally, Line 5, the link between Porta del Mar and Plaza La Coruña, mobilized 98,534 trips.
Wednesday, March 27, was the day in which the most movements were recorded, reaching 77,331.
Luceros, the busiest station
In station traffic, Luceros, once its works were completed, once again led the ranking , with 259,661 customers. They were followed by Mercado, with 192,745, and in third position Benidorm, with 114,933; Sant Vicent del Raspeig in fourth place with 101,011 and Marq-Castillo in fifth place, with 87,554 users.
Behind them are El Campello, in sixth place, with 51,898; in seventh Bulevar del Plá, with 51,194; in eighth, Garbinet, with 47,484; in ninth, Pintor Gastón Castelló, with 45,143; and, in tenth place, Universitat, with 39,156 movements.
The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, has announced that the Generalitat “is going to increase to the maximum the sanctions for dangerous, defective products, lack of information or labeling to guarantee the safety of our citizens and defend the companies of the Valencian Community”.
The head of the Consell has indicated that with this measure "we will fight against piracy, falsifications or imitations that affect sectors such as textiles, footwear, toys or ceramics, among others."
The president, accompanied by the Minister of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Nuria Montes, made these statements during the visit to the facilities of the treatment and recycling plant of the Acteco firm in Ibi where the destruction of products is carried out. defective.
The head of the Consell has explained that "we are going to increase the sanctions as much as the Law allows so that it is not cheap to put the health of our citizens and the safety of our children at risk."
Carlos Mazón has stated that the Generalitat is going to modify Legislative Decree 1/2019, of December 13, approving the consolidated text of the Law of the Statute of consumers and users of the Valencian Community.
Thus, he has assured that the modification of the Law of the Consumer Statute in the Valencian Community will basically refer to the section of sanctions "with special relevance to those who do not collaborate in the withdrawal of products or repeat it" and has thanked those who “they do contribute to avoiding this unfair competition,”
Specifically, with these changes, the maximum amount of minor infractions now set at 3,005.06 euros would be 10,000 euros, and serious infractions established at 15,025.30 euros will be established at 100,000 euros. Furthermore, the maximum amount for very serious infractions, which is now 601,012.10 euros, would become 1,000,000 euros.
Mazón has indicated that this legislative renewal process will be operational on January 1, 2025 so that the new sanctions come into force that "will reach the maximum possible, even with increases of more than 700% of the current amounts that incomprehensibly during these years have not been have modified.”
The highest representative of the Executive has valued the companies of the Valencian Community that "do extraordinary work in consumer protection." Thus, he has appealed to the “purchase of products from the Valencian Community from sectors such as toys, furniture or footwear that are committed to quality, design or innovation to confront unfair competition.” tica.
Reclaims the value of agriculture in the structuring of the territory, the fight against depopulation and desertification, in the sustainability and protection of the landscape and culture of the territory
It appeals to the Mediterranean diet, declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, to protect Valencian agri-food products.
José Luis Aguirre demands real and effective measures such as the simplification of regulations, equal conditions, putting an end to unfair competition and recovering community preference
The president of the Generalitat and the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries have participated in the European Parliament in the event 'Cultivating the future: Challenges and Solutions for European Regional Agriculture'
This was stated during his speech at the European Parliament at the event 'Cultivating the future: Challenges and Solutions for European Regional Agriculture' organized by the Valencian Community delegation in Brussels with the aim of addressing crucial issues that affect the Valencian agricultural sector. and in which the main representatives of the Valencian agricultural organizations have been present.
Carlos Mazón began his speech by highlighting the presence of the Valencian Community in the European Parliament as “a united, coordinated and very well represented land” and has advocated for the continuity of this initiative in the future.
Likewise, he has made reference to the agreed position document presented by the main agricultural organizations of the Valencian Community (AVA-ASAJA, ASAJA Alicante, La Unió Llaudarora i Ramadera, COAG, UPA, and Cooperatives Agroalimentàries) of which he has highlighted its “character strategic, rigor in the diagnosis and its strength in identifying the challenges we face” and in which solutions and proposals for the future are also proposed.
Thus, he has highlighted the support of the Consell for this document and has defined the agri-food industry as “one of the pillars of the Valencian economy, essential for our export fabric”, while highlighting its impact on other economic sectors.
The president has defended that the agricultural sector “goes beyond producing food” and has stated that “it is a complex fabric that unites tradition, economy, identity and innovation that cannot be treated like any other sector.”
In this sense, he stressed that “with detachment from the future of agriculture we will have a strategic catastrophe” because “none of what comes after, design, innovation, packaging, logistics, transportation, makes sense without agriculture.”
”.
During his speech, Carlos Mazón has appealed to the European Union to “be aware of this strategic change regarding the agricultural model of the future” and has demanded the unity of all Administrations so that this industry “is viable, sustainable and with a future.” ” because it is “an indispensable sector” for the rest of the economic sectors.
The value of agriculture
Carlos Mazón has stressed the importance of agriculture in the economic and territorial development and has stressed that it is a sector “that we cannot do without in any way.”
In that sense, it has claimed the value of agriculture in the structuring of the territory, the fight against depopulation, desertification, climate change and the protection of the landscape and culture of the territory.
In this way, it has appealed to the Mediterranean diet, declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, to protect Valencian agri-food products and the healthy food model.
Likewise, it has influenced the commitment of the Valencian Community so that “agriculture is part of our way of living and producing, of our way of understanding the use of the territory, leisure and cultural memory” and for this reason it has claimed that “ "That same thing is established in the European Union."
Finally, he encouraged the European institutions to know “the maturity of our sectors, how it is present in our territory, how it cares for water responsibly, the design, quality and development of new products.”
For his part, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, José Luis Aguirre, has indicated that "we come to Brussels to demand that things change, that the primary sector be respected and that they be listened to, not from the offices, but from the reality that they live every day. Only in this way can we help them." Therefore, he added that "it is necessary that real and effective measures be taken that truly help our farmers and ranchers."
Aguirre explained in this forum that “we have a series of proposals, which are those of the Spanish countryside, which include the particularities of our region such as the simplification of regulations, guaranteeing equal conditions, ending unfair competition or recovering the community preference.”
The Department of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism alerts citizens about the existence of a fraudulent website (https://sitval.net/) that impersonates that of the ITV. This website, pretending to be legitimate, has been charging users to get fake appointments for inspections at all stations in the Valencian Community. This website has already been reported to the competent authorities and appropriate measures are being taken against whoever is behind it.
From the official website of the Valencian Society of Technical Vehicle Inspection, SA (https://sitval.com/#/cita_previa) users can book an appointment at the ITV station they want and without the need to make any payment. It is a free service. Payment of inspection fees is carried out in person at each station.
However, for approximately a month, a website has been operating under the aforementioned domain “https://sitval.net/” in which, upon payment of 20 or 29 euros depending on the urgency, an appointment is guaranteed and even “ discounts of up to 40%.” This is a fraudulent website that has nothing to do with public service and has already obtained money from various people.
In fact, the alarms went off when the contact form with Sitval began to receive complaints from citizens who had paid and who, when they showed up at the requested station, discovered that they did not have an appointment and that they had allegedly been scammed.
A notice was also received from the National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE) in which numerous complaints of fraud were recorded pointing to the fake Sitval website. In fact, INCIBE has requested that the “Sitval.net” domain be delisted and that the website be closed, so far, without success.
As has been reported to the police authorities, the website that pretends to be Sitval and that charges in its name is owned by the company Innovatech Holding Llc based in the state of Delaware in the United States. It should be noted that in this state you can create a company for little money and without having to set foot in the country.
The Generalitat has identified a supposed citizen of Castellón as the representative of said company, of the same in Spain and also of the company that created the website (Cameleón Innova). Sitval does not know who the beneficiaries of the payments that users are making for fake appointments are. Nor is it understood why it issues statements and offers information in the name of the public service, thus increasing the confusion of those affected.
It is worth remembering that the Spanish Penal Code punishes crimes against industrial property with prison sentences and/or fines for those who imitate a registered trademark or logo of a product or service in order to obtain an economic benefit to the detriment of the owner of that trademark. brand.
Elche
The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, has announced that the Generalitat together with the Chambers of Commerce of the Valencian Community will present at the end of April or beginning of May the impact and need study for the second runway at the Alicante-Elche Airport. Miguel Hernández and the expansion of the Manises Airport. An initiative that will be carried out “with rigor and professionalism.”
The president made these statements during the inauguration of the new Easyjet base at the Alicante-Elche-Miguel Hernández Airport, the airline's fourth headquarters in our country.
The head of the Consell has defended that "the tourist capacity of the Valencian Community is beyond all doubt and we cannot stop being ambitious" so "we are going to justify, motivate and reason this need." Likewise, he highlighted that tourism in the Valencian Community "is returning to the Champions League and that is why we must take care of it with the second runway at the airport and the expansion of the other."
The president has requested “equal conditions” with the rest of the autonomies and has recalled that there are other airports in Spain with 13 million passengers that already have a second runway while Alicante, with more than 16 million passengers “still does not have have it.” Together with the second runway at the Alicante-Elche-Miguel Hernández Airport, the study will justify the need to expand the Manises Airport “so that many other destinations can continue to look to the Valencian Community.”
Carlos Mazón highlighted that this study will demonstrate “not only the growth options we have to implement these infrastructures, but also all the options that we have unfortunately already lost or will end up losing.”
Likewise, the head of the Consell has defended that "tourism is state policy" so the second runway of Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández and the expansion of Manises is not a "local demand" but is a "need for country and competitiveness.” In this way, the president has appealed to the union of all political, economic and social forces for the development of this initiative because "it is necessary for the future of the Valencian Community."
Mazón has stressed the “two essential requirements” that the Alicante-Elche-Miguel Hernández Airport needs to “become the international airport that we deserve: the rail connection and a second runway. This airport is currently the only air infrastructure in Europe that does not have them.”
The highest representative of the Valencian Executive has highlighted that "the Valencian Community is a reliable and attractive destination for investments without a tourism tax and a professional sector that is committed to a sustainable model that respects the environment."
New Easyjet base
The head of the Consell has thanked Easyjet for its commitment to the province of Alicante with the opening of this new base. In this sense he has referred to the ten new connections from Alicante with cities such as Birmingham, Southampton, Zurich, Nantes, Prague, Newcastle, Lille, Belfast City, Lyon and Nice.
Thus, Easyjet, adding the new routes to the existing ones, offers 1.5 million seats in Alicante for this summer season. In addition, the new base represents the creation of 100 jobs.
Although ten days ago we looked at the sky with uncertainty in the face of Holy Week, finally the forecasts have been exceeded and the Valencian Community has achieved an 80% average for the period between March 28 and 31. It is true that the figures have not reached the data for 2023, but it should be emphasized that the results are also positive, with some destinations reaching close to 90% occupancy.
Time has not been an obstacle for tourists who have visited the city of Turia. The hotels associated with HOSBEC in Valencia have finally registered 89.6% occupancy , some of them even hanging the sign completely. The good pace of last-minute reservations and the virtual absence of cancellations have added almost 10 percentage points in the previous seven days.
Another of the most popular destinations has been Gandia, which reaches 89% occupancy , data that follows the same line as the city of Valencia and that contributes to the province finally registering 87.9%.
Although the weather has not been as disastrous as expected, the weather forecasts made for these days have been the main factor that has prevented us from achieving, in some areas of the province of Alicante, data from the previous year. A clear example of this is Benidorm, which finally raises its occupancy to 78.7%, far from the 86% registered in 2023. The Costa Blanca has followed the same path , which scores 79.5% with destinations such as L'Alfàs del Pi / El Albir and Altea above 75%.
Finally, in the province of Castellón, it rises during the key days of Holy Week with 82% . In a more detailed analysis of the province's destinations, different trends are observed among tourist spots. The attendance of around 66,000 people at the “San San” music festival held in Benicàssim these days, raises the occupancy rate of the destination's HOSBEC associates to above 90% , while other destinations such as Peñíscola register 77.7%.
The president of HOSBEC , Fede Fuster, indicates that “Holy Week offers mixed results in the Valencian Community” since although last-minute reservations have been a boost in certain areas “the anticipated weather forecast, which in the end has not been fulfilled, "It has been the main factor that has prevented us from reaching figures like last year in destinations such as Benidorm or the Costa Blanca."
From 2025, regional and local administrations will have to finance the aid and essential services provided to them
The regional secretary of Equality and Diversity, Asunción Quinzá, has regretted that the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration is not going to extend, beyond 2025, aid for people displaced as a result of the migration crisis caused by the invasion of Ukraine, since the central Executive considers that it is the local and regional administrations that must assume the expenses generated by the care of these people.
As stated by the regional secretary, the Generalitat, on “two occasions”, has transferred to the central Government “the situation of this aid and the need for mechanisms that allow extending the financing and funds necessary to serve the beneficiaries of the regime. of temporary protection affected by the war in Ukraine and who lack sufficient economic resources.”
With more than 42,000 people welcomed, the Valencian Community is the region of the country that has received the most displaced population since this war began.
The regional secretary recalled that the massive arrival of people displaced by the war meant the “overflow” of the reception system designed by the Government of Spain, which caused both the Generalitat and the territorial administrations to make an “overexertion economically, materially and humanly.” ” to provide assistance to the population coming from Ukraine.
The objective, Quinzá emphasized, has been to “serve them, from the beginning, and avoid integration problems” by making essential public services available to them such as health care, education for children or advice on job searches.
Direct aid and financing of services
In total, since 2022, the central Executive has allocated 20.4 million euros to the Valencian Community to finance direct economic benefits and to cover actions carried out by local administrations for the benefit of displaced people.
Since then, the Generalitat has processed and paid 8,907 aid and has worked to incorporate many of the men and women who fled the conflict into the labor market, which has reduced their “dependence on social assistance.”
However, the regional secretary has pointed out, at this time "there are more than 20,000 displaced people who continue to need the support and assistance of the administration", both in the search for employment and in meeting their basic needs.
For this reason, and in response to the central Executive's announcement not to extend this aid, the Consell has expressed its concern and insists on the importance of "continuing to assist refugee families who lack sufficient economic resources", especially because, as of Today, the war continues and his return to Ukraine “does not seem viable.”
The Government's argument that the regional and local social services should be responsible for responding to the situation and the reference to the financial support measures that already exist, such as the minimum insertion income of the autonomous communities and the Minimum Living Income , “collides squarely with the underfinancing to which the Valencian Community is subjected, which, in this case, makes it difficult to provide aid to vulnerable people who have had to flee the invasion of their country,” Quinzá indicated.
Despite this, he assured, “we will continue to be in permanent contact, as we have done throughout this time, with the refugees and with the consular corps accredited in the Valencian Community to learn about their needs, concerns and concerns, and work together. to continue providing assistance to families hosted in the region.”
The Minister of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Nuria Montes, has pointed out that “the final data for 2023 confirms that we have experienced a very interesting growth in international tourists”, while pointing out that “this type of analysis serves us well. to better guide our promotional strategies and be more effective when carrying out actions in different potential markets.”
In fact, as he has highlighted "we are seeing a notable increase in the arrival of tourists from the Netherlands or the Nordic countries, even above some more traditional ones such as Italy, while France has surpassed the United Kingdom as the main source market", some data that "is essential when making decisions and being more efficient with the resources we allocate to each of them, as well as with the products we reinforce, such as gastronomy."
In this sense, he highlighted that the Valencian Community received in 2023, as indicated in the report prepared by Turisme Comunitat Valenciana through data from the Frontur-Egatur surveys, a total of 10,474,167 international tourists, almost 20%. of which come from France, a market that has surpassed the British market in the last year. In fact, in 2022 a total of 8,616,445 tourists were received, mostly from the United Kingdom, a market that has now given way to the French as the majority.
Similarly, the daily spending of those who visited us last year also increased compared to 2022, going from spending 118.6 euros on average per day to 126.8 euros in 2023. The main reason for the trip continues to be leisure and vacations, with an average stay of 9.4 days and with trips oriented toward sun and beach products 46.4% of the time. However, an increase in interest in gastronomic activities has been detected, which now reaches 45.4%.
The majority of international tourists choose to stay in a hotel during their vacation (40.8%), while only 16.4% choose to rent a tourist home. 77.1% of them arrive through one of the three airports that the Valencian Community has, while 21.6% arrive by road.
On the other hand, the report indicates that the daily spending of these international tourists increases significantly when their stay is for work or business, reaching 211 euros per day. Also depending on the product you choose for your leisure time, since a tourist who engages in nature activities spends about 96 euros a day, compared to the 205 euros spent by someone motivated by gastronomic tourism.
More than half of the foreign visitors are women (59.1%), between 25 and 44 years old (39.2%), followed closely by the range between 45 and 64 years old (38%). In any case, this data also depends on the destination, since age increases in destinations such as Alicante or Castellón, while in Benidorm or the city of Valencia, younger visitors predominate. Most of them are people with higher education and are active.
If we do an analysis by province, we can see that the British market continues to be the main one in destinations such as the province of Alicante or the city of Benidorm, in which the British account for 77.7% of its demand. However, the French mainly opt for the province of Castellón, followed by the Belgian market, and the province of Valencia, where the Italians follow.
The second vice president recalled that in the month of May 2023 the previous Consell paralyzed the credit extensions necessary for the resolution of files, which caused a “collapse of the system”, leaving the cashier without money, and “an increase in “waiting lists.”
Camarero has assured that, at this time and after seven months of work, “we have returned to levels lower than August 2023”, when the waiting list stood at 18,029 people due to the stoppage caused by the previous executive.
In order to "resurrect" the system, he recalled, Carlos Mazón's Consell made "two budget increases of 39.5 and 22 million euros before the end of 2023." Now, he has pointed out, “we are working on a shock plan that will allow us to continue reducing waiting lists, as happened last month and as will happen this month,” according to data that will be published next week.
The second vice president has also referred to the central government's contribution to the dependency system, and has once again claimed the 50% that corresponds to it by law, and not the 21% for the year 2022 or the 15% that it contributed in 2021. If the central executive had complied, “we would not be talking about waiting lists because this problem would be solved.”
Current data
In the last seven months, the department headed by Susana Camarero has resolved a total of 21,288 cases and has paid 347 million euros, from August to now, updating and paying the amounts of the benefits with the corresponding increases and arrears in accordance with the new amounts agreed by the central government last August and assumed by the autonomous communities.
According to the latest data published last month, the Valencian Community's dependency care system already serves 150,732 people, 2,956 more than the previous month. By province, 45,894 people reside in the province of Alicante, 17,282 in Castellón and 87,556 in Valencia.
The balance corresponding to February reflects that a total of 4,699 files of people requesting recognition of the dependency were resolved, 842 people more than the same month of the previous year.
These data have made it possible to reduce the waiting list by 2,001 people compared to January, which represents a decrease of 10.2%, the largest decrease in three years. Regarding the payroll paid, 44.35 million euros were paid corresponding to the financial benefits for February and arrears.
The 150,732 dependent people included in the system receive specialized care through residential or day services or a financial benefit for the service that the applicant and their family and the social work professional agree on as the best resource for the personal situation of the person. demanding.
Turisme Comunitat Valenciana reinforces the Tourist Info Office Network for the Holy Week and Easter 2024 tourism campaign, for which it launches 23 offices and temporary tourist information points, which bring attention to tourists in the areas with the greatest flow tourist.
Likewise, the Generalitat, with the collaboration of the City Councils attached to the Tourist Info Network, is extending the hours and staff of a large number of offices, increasing the number of professionals in charge of them, to provide a better service this Week. Santa.
The Minister of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Nuria Montes, wanted to highlight that “this additional service, which joins the 241 permanent offices and more than 20 tourist information points open throughout the year, will be provided during all these days and especially and in a singular way until Easter Monday.”
Likewise, he pointed out that "the reinforcement of the Tourist Info Network this season exceeds that of 2023, to respond to the growth of tourist activity." In fact, he has announced that “many of these Tourist Info offices or information points will remain open until after the summer.”
In this context, Nuria Montes recalled the good figures for tourist activity in recent months in the Valencian Community, stating that “overnight stays in hotel establishments have grown by close to 20% in 2024, chaining consecutive months of notable growth.” .
Likewise, “foreign tourism reaps historic results this year, making us the first Spanish tourist destination where the arrival of international visitors grows the most, with an increase of 29%,” noted Montes.
The head of Turisme explained that "from the Consell we reinforce the Tourist Info Network during these dates, where we expect a certain dynamism of tourist activity with forecasts, which start from 70% of the coastal places occupied, and that will increase with the last minute reservations.”
Likewise, the Minister of Tourism wanted to thank the work and service provided by the Network's tourist informants, since "they are our best letter of introduction, they receive our visitors by advising them and informing them about the wide range of cultural, sports, natural, leisure and tourist activities in general that our destinations offer.”
Montes has highlighted the quality of the service and the warmth of the attention of the Network which, in his opinion, are "decisive in the loyalty processes of our clients, for the enjoyment of their stays and increased levels of satisfaction", he has concluded.
By provinces
These offices and additional information points are located in different municipalities of the three provinces. Specifically, the towns in the province of Valencia where this service is reinforced are Gandia, Canet d'En Berenguer, La Pobla de Farnals and two tourist service points in Alboraya.
In the province of Alicante, the municipalities where this visitor service is accentuated are Altea, Benissa, Callosa d'en Sarrià, Calp (2), Elx (2), Torrevieja and Xàbia.
And for its part, the province of Castellón has new tourist information services in the municipalities of Almenara, Benicàssim (2), Castellón de la Plana (2), Oropesa del Mar, Peñíscola (2) and Torreblanca.
.
The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, has visited the exhibition “3000 years of Alicante wine culture” that is on display on the Paseo del Puerto de Alicante.
During his visit, the president highlighted the historical value and the importance of recovering the “memory of wine” but also of looking to the future by offering a product “of great uniqueness” as has been produced and recognized in recent years.
The exhibition tells in a different way the history of Alicante wine as well as the heritage and environmental values of this sector through the illustrations of three contemporary Alicante artists: Paula Alenda, Erre Gálvez and Miguel Calatayud.
This is a traveling exhibition that has toured the Valencian Community for three years and ends in Alicante. Since its inauguration in Dénia it has passed through El Campello, Villena, Elda, Aspe, Torrevieja, Calp, l'Alfaz del Pí, Orihuela, Elche, Alcoi, Benidorm and the three provincial capital
The president of the Generalitat visits the Surinver agricultural cooperative on the occasion of its 50th anniversary
The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, has visited the Surinver agricultural cooperative on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.
The head of the Consell has taken a tour of its facilities to learn first-hand about the work of the cooperative that celebrates half a century as “a model of cooperation that is becoming one of the best ambassadors of Vega Baja and the province of Alicante”.
Likewise, Mazón has highlighted the Community's agriculture, which he has described as the “pantry of Europe” and which is characterised by being “number one in innovation, improvement, sustainability and ecological product.” Likewise, he highlighted that our agriculture requires “respect for the water that we need and deserve.”
The head of the Consell has highlighted the “extraordinary example of cooperativism in the Valencian Community” represented by the more than 200 cooperative members that are part of Surinver as promoters of "quality, health and life" products that we must prioritise "because they are ours and they are extraordinary."
The coast of the Valencian Community is based on an occupancy forecast of close to 70% this Holy Week. This is shown by the results of a telephone survey carried out by Turisme CV to a representative sample of hotels, both coastal and inland, in the Valencian Community for the nights of March 28, 29, 30 and 31.
The Minister of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Nuria Montes, has indicated that these are “provisional figures”, since, as she has pointed out, “they are expected to increase with last-minute reservations, since occupancy "At our destination during Holy Week it is always very conditioned by the weather forecasts."
Thus, according to the survey, the Valencian Community has confirmed reserves estimated at 69% on the coast, where the highest percentage is recorded on the coast of the province of Castellón, with an estimate of 78.4%.
Forecasts indicate that the city of Valencia has, this Thursday, occupancy estimates higher than 73%, while the estimated occupancy percentage in Benidorm hotels is 70%.
Regarding the coast of the province of Valencia, excluding the city, the estimated occupancy reaches 60%, and the coast of Alicante (excluding Benidorm), starts with forecasts of 60.6%.
Nuria Montes recalled “the good results that we have recorded during these days due to the celebration of the Fallas, both in the city of València and in other municipalities of the Valencian Community such as Gandia or Sagunto”, while pointing out that, “ Reservations for these dates are made at the last minute waiting for confirmation of good weather”, which is why he pointed out that “the results will surely be higher than forecasts”.
Indoor occupancy forecast
The councilor has also reported that, according to these estimates, hotels in the interior of the Valencian Community have an occupancy forecast of 67% for the nights from Holy Thursday to Easter Monday.
Specifically, by province, for the nights of March 28, 29, 30 and 31, an occupancy rate of 77% is estimated in the case of establishments in the interior of the province of Valencia, 69% for hotels in the interior of the province of Castellón, and 44.5% occupancy for those in the province of Alicante.
Finally, the head of Tourism recalled that the Valencian Community has a unique and diverse tourist offer adapted to all audiences and highlighted that “the tourism sector is prepared to receive tourists at the first major event of the summer holidays. tourist calendar”.
In this sense, when the Primary Care doctor treats a patient and requests laboratory tests, this new system makes it possible to detect whether the patient has previously had a rheumatoid test with a positive factor; if so, an analysis is automatically included. of anti-CPP (anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide) antibodies.
In addition, the system detects if this type of test has already been performed in the last twelve months, so it will not be repeated to avoid duplications, since the patient already has a diagnosis.
Thanks to this, it has been possible to reduce nearly 3,000 tests in a period of 22 months, while hidden cases have been detected. Likewise, great profitability has been achieved by reducing waiting times, unnecessary examinations and studies and has allowed patients with this pathology to be treated earlier.
The head of the Clinical Analysis Service, María Salinas, highlighted that “the objective has been to speed up the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and optimize the treatment of patients from Primary Care.”
On the other hand, Mauricio Mínguez, from the Rheumatology area of the Sant Joan d'Alacant Hospital, has indicated that with this protocol “we have managed to detect a good number of hidden cases and apply disease-modifying treatments with which we have managed to stop its progression. improve the prognosis and preserve people's functionality.” Mínguez has also stressed that “it is very important to work on improving the continuity of care between primary and hospital care.”
Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common autoimmune disease in adults. In Spain it has a prevalence of 1% and it is estimated that around 500,000 people suffer from it. Its symptoms are joint pain and inflammation and it can also lead to inflammatory processes outside the joint and affect the blood vessels and organs such as the liver, heart or lungs. It mainly affects women and early detection helps slow its progression and improve the quality of life of patients.
Dissemination of the study
The research, titled 'Double positivity for rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibodies: improving referral from primary care to patients suspected of suffering from rheumatoid arthritis', has been developed over a period of four years by the Clinical Analysis Service , in collaboration with the Primary Care health centers of the Alicante-Sant Joan d'Alacant Health Department and the Rheumatology Service of the hospital itself.
In addition to being implemented at the Sant Joan d'Alacant Hospital, this early detection system is now available for use in laboratories around the world as it has been openly disseminated. Thus, for example, the National Library of Medicine of the United States Government already has the study referenced among its publications.
“The mission of our laboratory is to help in daily clinical practice and our greatest satisfaction is to have this and other procedures that we have developed copied to improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients in many countries around the world,” concluded Salinas. Thus, the laboratory of the Sant Joan d'Alacant University Hospital is an international leader in decision support in daily clinical practice and has already developed more than one hundred algorithms.
The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, has reiterated the Consell's commitment to the Valencian automotive industry, which he has defined as “an innovative, competitive and sustainable sector” during the visit he made to the Ford manufacturing plant. in Almussafes to learn about the production of the new Kuga, whose plug-in hybrid version is the best-selling in Spain and Europe.
Mazón has congratulated Ford for the manufacture of the new Kuga and has highlighted “the ability of the Almussafes factory to adapt to the implementation of new technologies and production systems as an example of the value of this plant, which is a reference in the manufacture of “more sustainable automobiles designed for the mobility of the present and the future.”
The head of the Consell held a working meeting with Ford officials, led by the president and CEO of Ford Iberia, Jesús Alonso, and the manufacturing director of Ford Almussafes, Daniel Ruiz, among other company representatives.
The president has also met with the president of the Ford Almussafes works council and general secretary of UGT-Ford, Carlos Faubel, and the secretary of the Works Committee, Beatriz Yagüe.
The highest representative of the Valencian executive has toured the Almussafes plant where he has seen the various production areas, as well as the pioneering battery assembly center, operational since September 2020 and where the Ford Kuga batteries are assembled.
Also attending the visit to the Almussafes factory were the Minister of Finance, Economy and Public Administration, Ruth Merino; the Minister of Education, Universities and Employment, José Antonio Rovira; the Minister of Environment, Water, Infrastructure and Territory, Salomé Pradas; and the Minister of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Nuria Montes.
The Minister of Tourism held a first meeting with the general director of Tourism of Andalusia, Francisco Montes Worboys, at the ITB Fair in Berlin.
Nuria Montes has stressed the need to carry out a modification of the current regulations “that allows us to put a stop to this unfair competition that is so damaging to the regulated tourism sector.”
The Minister of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Nuria Montes, has highlighted the implementation of joint work with Andalusia to try to strengthen control of the illegal supply of tourist homes in the Valencian Community. In this way, its intention is to take as a reference the new decree that the Andalusian Government has recently approved and which establishes that town councils may limit the maximum number of tourist homes.
Specifically, Montes has already had a first meeting with the general director of Tourism of the Junta de Andalucía, Francisco Montes Worboys, at the recent edition of the ITB fair in Berlin, where they shared their concern about this problem.
In this sense, he has stressed the need to carry out a modification of the current regulations "that allows us to put a stop to this unfair competition exercised by those who market their homes illegally and which is so detrimental to the regulated tourism sector", therefore that “we must share information, data and strategies with other communities like Andalusia to be able to unify regulations and combat this problem that affects us all.”
For this reason, the councilor plans to attend on Monday, March 18, a conference to be held in Seville on the 'New regulations for housing for tourist use in Andalusia' where, in addition to analyzing and transferring the various provisions that have been modified in regarding housing for tourist use, will have the participation of the Emeritus Magistrate of the Supreme Court, Rafael Valverde, who will explain the European and national jurisprudential framework in this matter.
The second half of February shows the end of the low season with figures above 70% in all the analysed areas of the Valencian Community . For hotel entrepreneurs, the data is a prelude to what will be the arrival of spring and of course Easter.
Valencia city is the great lucky one these days, reaching 85% occupancy , with 4-star hotels leading the way. With these data, the city of Turia says goodbye to February at 78.2%, which serves as a prelude to the good data that is expected to be achieved during the month of March thanks to the Las Fallas festival.
The Costa Blanca also stands out during the second fortnight with 77.5%, followed by Benidorm at 76.2% and the province of Castellón at 76.3%. These last days of the month undoubtedly raise the figures for the month of February, improving, in all cases, between 5.5 and 8 points compared to the same period in 2023.
Although hotel activity began to reactivate for accommodations in February, motivated above all by the celebration of Valentine's Day, it is in the first days of March when a greater change of pace is evident, since 44% of the accommodations that were still extending its closure beyond 2023 decides to open its doors.
The positive trend of recent days consolidates the good occupancy prospects for all destinations that are already beginning to warm up for the start of the tourist season with confirmed reservation volumes for the first half of March above 70%.
Below, we offer you a detailed analysis of hotel occupancy in different parts of the Valencian Community.
The annual hotel occupancy report prepared by BigDataHOSBEC for the following tourist spots in the Valencian Community is now available:
Benidorm
White shore
Province of Valencia
Province of Castellón
You can view the full report at the following link:
Biweekly hotel occupancy evolution report – 2nd fortnight February 2024
BENIDORM
The Benidorm destination slightly exceeds the data for the first fortnight with 76.2% occupancy, and raises the average for the month of February to 75.9%, representing 5.7 points more than in the same period of 2023. (see the weekly evolution of hotel occupancy in the bar graph of the report).
In the last 14 days of this leap month of February, the Spanish market represents 43.7% of the total compared to 56.3% belonging to the international market, which is led by the United Kingdom with 39.1%. Behind the British market and by a long distance, the Dutch market is located with 4.4% and the Belgian market with 4.2% , with the Irish market closing in fourth position with 2.2% . The rest of the issuing markets do not exceed 1% representation in any case.
The month of March begins with very positive values, since the volume of confirmed reservations is 74.9% , 3.7 points above the data from the previous year on these same dates.
COSTA BLANCA
The Costa Blanca area (not including Benidorm) records an occupancy rate of 77.5%, finishing off a month of February that recorded an average of 75.4%, far exceeding the 2023 data by 8 percentage points (67 ,4%). (see the weekly evolution of hotel occupancy in the bar graph of the report).
Tourists of international origin represent 53.3% of the total , compared to 46.7% nationally, which maintains data similar to those of the previous fortnight. After the Spanish market, the most prominent nationalities are British (13.5%) , Norwegian (7.7%) and Belgian (5.3%), French (5.2%) and Dutch (4.5%) . The next most representative ones are between 3% and 2% German and Polish.
Regarding the forecast for the first days of March, there are already 73.9% of rooms reserved, a figure that will surely increase with last-minute reservations.
PROVINCE OF VALENCIA
The second half of February takes off in the province of Valencia, recording nothing more and nothing less than 82.8% occupancy , which results in an average of 76.7% for the month of February , adding 5.5 percentage points compared to to 2023 (71.2%). (see the weekly evolution of hotel occupancy in the bar graph of the report).
Domestic tourism continues to represent more than half of the “pie” with 52.8%, being by far the largest market in the entire province. The international tourist is manifested in a varied range of nationalities among which we find the most prominent being the British, Italian, American, German, Dutch and French, all of them being between 5.5% and 4%.
The bonanza of the province's data is given above all by the data recorded for Valencia city, which stands at 85% during the second fortnight, with 4-star hotels in the lead with a share of 91%.
The occupancy forecast for the first half of March is set at 71.6 % in the province and 72.1% in Valencia, with a glimpse of the boost in these data thanks to the beginning of the Fallas festival.
PROVINCE OF CASTELLÓN
The hotels in the province of Castellón closed due to the marked seasonality of the province are beginning to join tourist activity accompanied by positive occupancy data of 76.3% during the second half of February. These records also record an improvement compared to those of 2023, since the average for the month (71.5%) increases by 6.1 percentage points compared to the previous year . (see the weekly evolution of hotel occupancy in the bar graph of the report).
The national tourist remains the same as in the first fifteen days with 65.4%. The remaining 34.6% belongs to international tourism, led by the French market with 7.7%, followed by the Italian market with 3.4% , the German market (3.3%) and the Swedish market (3%).
The next fortnight has a volume of confirmed reservations of 70.5% well above what was recorded the previous year (62.3%).
ast January, the Valencian Community recorded its historical maximum in international tourism, as shown by the surveys published this Monday by the INE regarding Border Tourist Movements (Frontur) and the Tourist Expenditure Survey (Egatur).
Last January, the Valencian Community recorded its historical maximum in international tourism, as shown by the surveys published this Monday by the INE regarding Border Tourist Movements (Frontur) and the Tourist Expenditure Survey (Egatur).
In this way, international tourists who visited the Valencian Community in the first month of 2024 amount to 619,718, with an increase of 29.1% year-on-year; and they spent 757 million euros, which represents an increase of 40.3% compared to January of last year.
The Minister of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Nuria Montes, has pointed out that “these are the most important increases at the national level, thus following the trend of previous months, which places the Valencian Community as a leader in the growth of foreign tourism".
Montes recalled that "these results corroborate once again the solidity of the Valencian Community as an international tourist destination of reference", also adding that "we are the autonomous community among the main national tourist destinations where foreign tourism grows the most out of season."
The head of Tourism has stated that “these results confirm the good trend of the international tourism sector”; and they advance to 2024, whose first results point to a “certain significant dynamism,” she added.
The growth in the arrival of non-national tourists to Spain stands at 15.3%, the greatest increase is recorded by the Valencian Community with an increase of 29.1%, previously indicated, followed by Catalonia (20.3%), Madrid (17.5%) and Andalusia (17.4%)
In addition, it should be noted that the absolute record in foreign tourism during the month of January in the Valencian Community registered until this Monday, is estimated at 480,302 arrivals registered in 2023, the year in which the data for 2019, prior to the pandemic, was already exceeded.
Results by markets: the rise of German tourism
On the other hand, Nuria Montes has highlighted that with respect to the markets that send tourists to the Valencian Community, “the most important nationality continues to be the United Kingdom, with the arrival of more than 126,830 British in January, 16.3% more than in 2023.”
France follows with 110,609 tourists, 60.5% more than in the same month of the previous year. But the market that has recorded the greatest increase during the month of January in the Valencian Community has been Germany, with the arrival of 58,304 Germans, which represents a notable growth of 66%.
“Without a doubt, one of the best news we could have regarding our attendance this week at the ITB fair in Berlin, one of the largest tourism fairs in the world,” highlighted the counselor, who also announced that Turisme will attend this event with more exhibition space than ever, and with the participation of more than 20 companies, municipalities and tourism brands from the Valencian Community.
Spectacle and excitement come together this Sunday, March 3 at the ' XXIII Villa de Crevillent International Motocross '. As usual, the Alicante Provincial Council collaborates in the organization and dissemination of this popular sporting event that will feature the participation of great figures in this discipline.
The Sports Deputy, Bernabé Cano , presented this morning together with the president of the Club Moto Sport Carreres, Francisco Carreres , all the details of this test, considered one of the most relevant and consolidated on the national calendar . The mayor of Crevillent, Lourdes Aznar , and the president of the Motorcycle Federation of the Valencian Community, José Luis Berenguer , have also participated in the presentation
“ Next Sunday Crevillent is going to become the epicenter of national and international motocross with a test that will also serve to promote the municipality and generate an important economic return ,” said the deputy, who highlighted the importance of that public administrations “ give their support mainly to minority sports .”
The 'XXIII Villa de Crevillent International Motocross' will take place at the El Cossil Circuit , one of the oldest in the Valencian Community, and it will have a technical and safe route of 1,600 meters in length , with numerous ups and downs. and suitable for all levels , from those who have just started in this sport to the most experienced.
In this sense, the director of the test explained that " we have adapted the route, with simpler and more accessible routes for young motorcyclists and others that offer a greater spectacle for seniors ", while highlighting the beauty of the surroundings. in which the competition is held; the Crevillent reservoir.
Registration will remain open until next Thursday and there is already the participation of prominent riders from the national scene, who will compete in the categories of MX-1 , MX-2 , MX-3 , MX-125 , MX-A and MX- 85 .
The test will count towards the Valencian Community motocross championship and, as in previous editions, will pay tribute to the pilot from Elche José Manuel Pérez ' Carni ', who died in 2005 due to an accident while competing in the Dakar Rally.
The mayor has highlighted, for her part, that this competition " places Crevillent on the sports map ", and has highlighted, in this sense, the City Council's commitment to major sporting events " with the aim that in the coming years Let us write important lines in the history of our town .”
Finally, from the Motorcycle Federation, its president has valued “ this hybrid test that combines spectacle and training ” and has called for the creation of permanent circuits and facilities for the practice of this sporting discipline.
The Council will grant between 6,000 and 10,000 euros in direct aid for basic expenses, and between 1,000 and 1,500 euros per month for housing rent
The Generalitat's aid will be compatible with that of other administrations and will be channeled through the single window of the Valencia City Council
The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, has announced the first aid package aimed at the people affected by the fire in the residential buildings in the Campanar district of Valencia.
Carlos Mazón has explained that these aids will be approved in the Plenary of the Council which will be held in an extraordinary way in order to activate as soon as possible the necessary measures to alleviate the situation of the families.
The aid, which will be compatible with that granted by any other public administration, will be channeled through the single window of Valencia City Council so that it is distributed "quickly, time can be saved and bureaucracy is avoided".
Specifically, the Council will approve a first package of direct aid of between 6,000 and 10,000 euros, according to the members who make up the family unit, to cover basic expenses such as food, clothing or transport, among others, "of so that the most basic and urgent can be attended to", he pointed out.
The aid decree will also include amounts of between 1,000 and 1,500 euros per month for families who choose to rent a home, and for those who choose to acquire a property, the Generalitat will exempt them from paying the Tax Patrimonial transmissions.
In addition, a package of social assistance is planned, which includes a permanent psychological assistance service, beyond the urgent assistance that is being provided by the Valencia City Council in collaboration with the Red Cross, as well as the preferential relocation of dependent or vulnerable people who need a place in a residence, day center or specialized center, and the preferential re-schooling of minors whose families decide to school their children in another location.
The Generalitat will also offer free public transport for the affected families for at least one year, and has coordinated with several animal shelters to facilitate the temporary access of companion animals that may require attention by making available two veterinary hospitals if necessary.
Finally, the president has reiterated his thanks to the different fire brigades of the different administrations for the extraordinary effort they are carrying out.
The month of February arrives with fresh air leaving very positive figures, especially in the coastal destinations of the province of Alicante where in some cases values of 85% have been reached, as in the case of Calpe or 75% in Benidorm.
Without a doubt , the celebration of the carnival, the final of the Benidorm Fest or the traditional Valentine's Day for which many hotels launch their romantic packages as an attraction, have driven the increase in this data. And it should be noted that all the destinations and areas analyzed have improved their figures not only compared to the last days of January, but also for the same period in 2023.
The high temperatures and the predominance of clear skies typical of the month of April, encourage the pace of confirmed reservations for the second fortnight in all points, already standing above 65%, and in many cases exceeding today's data. occupation noted this fortnight. This positive trend causes hotels located in areas marked by strong seasonality, such as the province of Castellón, to end their closure periods and begin to oil their machines for the return to activity.
Regarding the origin data, it is worth highlighting the importance of the international market, which generally represents 50% , growing in some destinations such as Benidorm to practically 60% or representing 35% in areas such as the province of Castellón. where the domestic market is usually between 75% -80%. The growth and greater weight of foreign nationalities is generalized in the Valencian Community as has been seen in the latest passenger records for the month of January at the airports of Valencia and Alicante – Miguel Hernández, in which international tourists represent more than one 70% and 80% of the total respectively.
Below, we offer you a detailed analysis of hotel occupancy in different parts of the Valencian Community.
The annual hotel occupancy report prepared by BigData HOSBEC is now available for the following tourist spots in the Valencian Community:
Benidorm
Costa Blanca
Province of Valencia
Province of Castellón
You can view the full report at the following link:
Biweekly hotel occupancy evolution report – 1st fortnight February 2024
BENIDORM
The Benidorm destination registers 75.5% occupancy from February 1 to 15. The data rises considerably compared to the last days belonging to January (67%), and to the same period in 2023, where the registrations stood at 67.5%. (see the weekly evolution of hotel occupancy in the bar graph of the report).
Regarding nationalities, the domestic market represents the largest proportion with 43.8% , leaving the remaining 56.2% to international guests. Within the latter, the British tourist is in the lead with 39.6% , followed by the Belgian with 4.6% , the Irish (1.9%) and the Polish (1.3%) . The rest of the issuing markets do not exceed 1% representation in any case.
For the closing of the second month of the year, there is already a reservation forecast of 74.6%, above the occupancy figures for this fortnight and with a view to being exceeded.
COSTA BLANCA
The Costa Blanca area (not including Benidorm) records an occupancy rate of 73.4%, far exceeding the 2023 data by 10 percentage points (63.3%) . Very positive data for some destinations such as Calpe that become a tourist attraction in celebrations such as Valentine's Day, helping to boost their figures above 85% in this first fortnight. (see the weekly evolution of hotel occupancy in the bar graph of the report).
Tourists of international origin represent 53.3% of the total , compared to 46.7% nationally, which maintains data similar to those of the previous fortnight. After the Spanish market, the most prominent nationalities are the British (12.3%) , Belgian (10.3%) and Norwegian (7%) . The next most representative, located between 4.5% and 2%, would be the Dutch, French, Polish and Italian.
Regarding the forecast for the last days of February, there are already 67.9% of rooms reserved, a figure that will surely increase with last-minute reservations.
PROVINCE OF VALENCIA
From February 1 to 15, the province of Valencia recorded an occupancy rate of 69.8% , exceeding not only the data from the previous fortnight, but also the records belonging to the same period in 2023 by 4.4 percentage points (65.4 %) . (see the weekly evolution of hotel occupancy in the bar graph of the report).
Domestic tourism represents a market share of 51.5 % , being the largest market in the province. In the remaining 48.5% belonging to the international market , characterized by its heterogeneity of nationalities, Italy is the leader with 5.5% of the total volume. In the following positions are the German market (4.9%), the United Kingdom (4.5%), the United States (3.9%) and the French and Dutch markets, both with 3.7%. Between 3% and 1% are markets such as Chinese, Belgian, Ukrainian or Portuguese.
The occupancy forecast for the second half of February is set at 65.4% , showing the boost in these data thanks to the carnival holiday.
PROVINCE OF CASTELLÓN
During the first half of February, seasonal closure periods begin to come to an end, registering the return to activity of some of our associates. In this way, from February 1 to 15 the province of Castellón is at 61.3%, with flights similar to those of the first fortnight of the year. (see the weekly evolution of hotel occupancy in the bar graph of the report).
The national tourist remains loyal to the province and on this occasion it stands at 65%. The remaining 35% belongs to international tourism, led by the German market with 6.5%, followed by the French market with 4.5% , the British market (4%) , Italian market (3.4%) and the Dutch market (2 ,5%).
As a peculiarity for the next fortnight, there is already a volume of confirmed reservations of 69.6%, above what has been recorded these days.
This is the first edition of these conferences, which have had a roadshow format with traveling promotion, and whose purpose has been to bring the tourism offer of meetings, congresses and incentives from different Spanish autonomous communities closer to English operators.
In this way, representatives of Turisme Comunitat Valenciana have presented the tourist offer, as well as the most relevant news of the destination, before nearly forty specialised operators from the two British cities.
Both cities are, along with Birmingham and London, two of the main centers where the main operators of this type of tourism in the United Kingdom are established. It is also a type of tourism that, given its characteristics (more or less numerous groups, almost always companies, entities and professional associations, needs for spaces and activities at the destination), is, above all, in the hands of specialized operators.
Likewise, the good air connections of the United Kingdom with the Valencian Community, with more than 20 British cities that have direct routes with Valencian airports, in addition to other factors, such as the offer of facilities and accommodation, the climate, the gastronomic offer and of complementary activities, make the Community a very interesting destination for British operators that offer incentives or organize events, conferences or meetings.
MICE 2024 promotional strategy
Given the potential of this product in the Valencian Community, Turisme will reinforce the promotional strategy aimed at meeting and congress tourism during 2024. The objective is to consolidate and position the destination as a benchmark in this sector, considered a key element for tourism deseasonalization. and diversification of demand.
To this end, among the planned lines of action, the Generalitat will encourage the participation of the Valencian Community in the main events of the sector and in competitions specialized in the MICE product.
In this way, this participation of Turisme CV in the Manchester and Leeds conferences will be complemented this year with the planned participation in the largest MICE event in the United Kingdom, 'The Meeting Show', which will take place in London at the end of June , and which will bring together a good part of the country's MICE professionals.
Likewise, Turisme Comunitat Valenciana will also be present this year at the two largest fairs in this sector in Europe, on the one hand, Imex, which will take place during the month of May in the German city of Frankfurt and, on the other hand, IBTM World, which will be held in November in Barcelona.
Events that will be attended with spaces where the various Convention Bureaux of the Valencian Community, associations and companies in the sector from the three provinces will participate.
Likewise, several familiarization trips for MICE operators are also planned this year to make the Valencian Community's offering known to professionals from different markets, such as Germany, the Netherlands and Southeast Asia, among other actions.
The minister held a meeting with the manager of Imserso, in which the president of the Hotel and Tourism Business Association of the Valencian Community, Hosbec who are based in Benidorm, Fede Fuster, also participated.
Nuria Montes described the meeting as "positive" and explained that the director general of Imserso was "prudent and receptive to listening to all the options and proposals for improvement" for this program, and also "to be able to find within the Government of Spain a location for this program in a department that can better manage its needs".
In this context, the head of Tourism has remarked that "the Imserso program continues to provide a very important task for the elderly in the concept of active old age and sociability", although she has requested a review, already that, according to Montes, "the circumstances that gave rise to this program 40 years ago have now changed a lot, both from the point of view of the major and from the point of view of the tourism and hotel sector".
From Imserso they have conveyed to the councilor that they will continue working on this strategy, although, as explained by Nuria Montes, "the validity of the current execution program and the decision of whether or not any extension will be executed it has not yet been determined, since it depends on many variables", such as the approval of the State's general budgets "because it has a decisive influence on having a budget extension or not".
In addition, Montes has emphasized that the second of the variables "is to assess the consequences that would have, both for users and for the sector, to award an extension to increment 0, which is as planned, while the IPC is well above 3%”.
For the head of Tourism, "this could mean another hole in the difference between the cost of production and the price borne by the Spanish tourism sector that works in the Imserso program", which is why she has reiterated the Council's support for tourism sector of the Valencian Community and has assured that, "from the Generalitat, we will continue to support tourism entrepreneurs".
CaixaBank and the Hotel and Tourism Business Association of the Valencian Community (HOSBEC) have signed the renewal of the collaboration agreement that makes a specific line of financing available to all members and partners. This activation of the credit line aims to promote and energise the hotel sector, camping, tourist apartments and the complementary offer of the Valencian Community. It also includes a wide portfolio of financial services and products under conditions adapted to the specific needs of the tourism sector.
The agreement, which has been signed by the territorial director of CaixaBank in the Valencian Community and the Region of Murcia, Olga García, and the president of HOSBEC, Federico Fuster, provides advantages for members in the management of their accounts, cards, transfers and financing.
The territorial director of CaixaBank in the Valencian Community and the Region of Murcia has conveyed the commitment of the financial entity, through its CaixaBank Hotels & Tourism business line, to the tourism and hotel sector of the Community, highlighting “the contribution of the entity to help improve the competitiveness of this group through the design of financial products and services created especially to meet their needs.”
For his part, the president of HOSBEC has highlighted “the interest that HOSBEC members have in financial products under the conditions established in the collaboration agreement, to the extent that it can help boost the economic activity of the sector that, in Ultimately, it ends up contributing to the promotion of the dynamism of the territory and the Valencian economy.”
During the past year, and as a result of the agreement that both entities had previously signed, different joint initiatives have been carried out, such as a day in which the keys and results of the sector were analyzed, as well as the future perspectives according to the reports . on the tourism sector from CaixaBank Research, the financial institution's research service.
With this new agreement, CaixaBank once again demonstrates that it wants to continue being a key player in the recovery of this fundamental sector for the country, facilitating the granting of credit and supporting its specific needs.
The Minister of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism, Nuria Montes, has announced that, after the success of the Benidorm Fest, from the Generalitat "we will once again support the celebration of the festival in 2025".
This is what the head of Tourism has said, after knowing the impact data of the three selection galas to elect the Eurovision representative at the Benidorm Fest that were held last week. In this sense, he assured that "there is no longer any doubt about the Generalitat's commitment to this event, after three editions in which it has been consolidated around a brand of its own".
The impact data shows that 1.97 million viewers followed the broadcast of the Benidorm Fest final on TVE, with a share of 16.6%. In addition, the final of this edition has registered an increase of 90,000 spectators compared to the final of 2023.
Nuria Montes explained that it is a show that "already transcends our borders". In fact, according to the impact data, 25 countries followed the final gala through social networks, where 187,932 mentions were made on Twitter during the gala.
The Minister of Tourism has highlighted that these data, "confirm that the Benidorm Fest is an element of promotion of the city, and of the entire Valencian Community" and has insisted on the fact that this festival has been consolidated in the city of Benidorm "which is why it is the right place for the celebration and this festival is no longer understood in another place".
Likewise, Nuria Montes has highlighted the impact of this musical phenomenon in terms of advertising return and, in this sense, has referred to the advertising impact of this festival, which "is estimated at more than 80 million "Euros".
In this context, he pointed out that the Benidorm Fest "is a product that fits perfectly into our de-seasonalization and music tourism strategy", since it is held in a month considered to be in the low season and "allows us to achieve very positive figures of employment and expenditure and put up, practically, the complete poster".
Finally, Montes recalled "the essential involvement of the Valencian Government in Benidorm Fest 2024" through the collaboration agreement between Turisme Comunitat Valenciana and the Spanish Radio and Television Corporation for the organisation and celebration of Benidorm Fest , with a contribution of 1.5 million euros.
The Valencian Community has registered its historical maximum in international tourism in 2023, as shown by the surveys published this Friday by the INE regarding Tourist Movements on the Border (Frontur) and the Tourist Expenditure Survey (Egatur).
Surveys show that international tourists who visited the Valencian Community in 2023 exceeded 10.4 million (10,491,985), with an increase of 21.8% year-on-year, above the average for Spain, which is 18.7 % and spent 12,575 million euros, which represents an increase of 24.5% compared to 2022.
The Egatur survey shows that in 2023 the average expenditure per tourist amounts to 1,199 euros, increasing by 2.2% year-on-year, and the average daily expenditure in 2023 stands at 124 euros, 5% higher than that recorded in 2022.
The Minister of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Nuria Montes, has assessed these results as very positive, since these figures corroborate that 2023 has been the best tourist year and confirm that “it has been the year of the true recovery of tourism for the Valencian Community”.
For Councilor Nuria Montes, “not only is the increase in tourists important, what is truly important is the increase in spending, which is still above the growth in tourists.” Furthermore, she explained that “international tourists are the ones who spend the most because they stay much longer than national tourists.”
The head of Tourism recalled that "the trends, as we advanced in the past Fitur, indicate that in 2024 the Valencian Community will be at these figures or even higher, because the sales rate is being very important."
December results
In addition, surveys show that the best number of international tourists in history was recorded in the month of December, with a total of 714,043 arrivals, 39% more than in December 2022.
Regarding spending, in December an expense of 837 million was recorded, 41.2% more, according to the latest data published this Friday by the National Institute of Statistics (INE).
The Minister of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Nuria Montes, has shown her satisfaction after the first three days of Fitur, dedicated to professional activity, and has highlighted that the Valencian Community stand “has registered more than 5,000 meetings” , according to first estimates, a figure close to 20% higher than that achieved in the last edition.
Furthermore, Nuria Montes has highlighted that in this edition of Fitur “we have highlighted the prominence of work meetings” and has stressed that “the number of companies that have participated and the extensive agenda of contacts will strengthen our positioning as a destination.” .
The councilor recalled that in this edition of Fitur "we have presented very positive tourism data for 2023, and we have even better prospects for 2024 that make us very optimistic." In this sense, she explained that last year “we reached 28.5 million tourists” in the Valencian Community and the objective is “to reach 30 million” this year.
Likewise, he highlighted that “the work dynamics that have been evident these days in Fitur and the strength demonstrated by the sector contribute to conveying the message that we are a sustainable, innovative, accessible destination that is committed to quality. and excellence.”
Montes has assured that in this edition "all records for the participation of companies and professional activity have been broken", since more than 500 co-exhibitors have participated, of which 261 have been companies and tourism entities.
In this context, he has reiterated the "firm commitment of this Consell to tourism promotion" and has indicated that in 2024 "we plan to reinforce our promotion and marketing strategy with more than 150 promotional actions in 20 source markets" with the new tourism motto. “'Mediterranean Attitude', a concept that differentiates us from our competing destinations, and that also transmits the spirit of hospitality that we also want to convey.”
The BigDataHosbec department has already published its monitor report on hotel activity for the year 2023 as well as the main economic parameters of hotel profitability.
The hotel sector is in luck and this 2023 is a clear reflection of tourism consolidation. The Valencian Community rounds off the year with more than 9.4 million travelers , 0.9% more than in 2019, highlighting from this data the increase in international travelers that is close to 4 million with a growth of 5.4% .
More than 4.6 million tourists staying in hotels go to the province of Alicante , with 48.5% of them being Benidorm as their last destination . The capital of the Costa Blanca, with an average annual capacity of 41,700 seats, has received more than 2.2 million travelers , improving registrations by 4.1% thanks, above all, to the impact of the international market (52% of the total ), which also increases by 10.1%.
The province of Valencia, which accounts for 38.6% of the total number of guests in the Valencian Community who spend the night in hotels (more than 3.6 million), has 57% of travelers of national origin, detecting an increase in these by 8 ,2%. On the other hand, the city of Valencia, with more than 2 million travelers, continues to demonstrate once again its heterogeneity of nationalities , with a greater volume of international guests (53%).
The province of Castellón receives more than 1.1 million in its hotels, its main driver of activity being the domestic traveler, who represents 80%. However, it should be noted that although the volume of international travelers is lower than in the rest of the provinces, this 2023 has increased its scoreboard by more than 17,000 travelers (+8.1%).
The preference for shorter trips is manifested in the reduction of the days of stay, which directly affects the total volume of overnight stays in the Valencian Community, which are reduced by 2.1%, recording more than 29 at the end of the year, 1 million. This trend is accentuated, above all, in destinations and areas with a high vacation component, as is the case of the Costa Blanca, which reduces its overnight stays by 3.4% or Benidorm , where they decrease by 4.8%, finally approaching 10. 8 million.
The opposite occurs in the province of Valencia where the stay is maintained and the increase in travelers also reports an improvement in the volume of overnight stays that adds up to 5% more than in 2019 with more than 8.4 million overnight stays . Valencia city , with an average stay of 2.2 days, is characterized by being a “city break” destination and increases overnight stays by 7.6%, strengthening both the domestic and international markets and finally scoring more than 4.6 overnight stays in 2023.
Employed personnel
The average workforce assigned to the hotel sector improves the 2019 data with a count of 16,746 average workers in the Valencian Community . The tourist areas and destinations with the greatest hotel activity and with the greatest accommodation capacity record the best data on employed personnel. Even so, it should be noted that the search for professionals who want to work in the sector continues to be arduous , and must be counteracted and bet more than ever on a training offer that encourages specialization.
Economic data and hotel profitability
Although the Valencian Community continues to be below the national indicators, it is true that the records for 2023 take a leap and improve pre-pandemic levels by 24% , reaching average rates (ADR) of €95.2 and RevPar of €65. .
Alicante and Valencia city are in the lead with average rates of €114 and €101.4, representing an increase of 32% and 31%, followed in third place by Benidorm with an average of €96 and a growth of 25%.
These data directly influence the income per room (RevPar) in which the city of Valencia takes the lead with €90.8 on average and a growth of 35.6% compared to 2019. In the following positions are Alicante city with €73.4 on average (28.5%) and Benidorm €70.8 (19.7%).
It is important not to forget that these increases are associated with the increase in energy, labour and raw material costs that the tourism sector has faced throughout 2023.
The Ministry of Health has invested more than 1.5 million euros in the installation of ceiling equipment in seven radiology rooms of different hospitals in the Valencian Community, which incorporates vision and artificial intelligence for the personalisation of radiographs to patients.
The main innovation that this technology brings is that it has a camera with artificial intelligence algorithms and a detector for body analysis, which detects the size and volume of the patient. In this way, the area that is illuminated with the X-ray beam on which the test is carried out is defined and the radiation is optimised.
Precisely, the Minister of Health, Marciano Gómez, visited today, together with the manager of the Department of Health Alicante-General Hospital, Francisco Soriano, the first digital radiology room of these characteristics that was launched in Spain, and which is installed at Doctor Balmis Hospital. The councilor explained that the technology it has "allows to calculate the optimal parameters for a given patient and a specific study and, on the basis of this, automatically adjusts and delimits the field of treatment".
All this involves optimizing the process and obtaining the best image quality adapted to each patient, also complying with the optimal radiation dosage standards. "In fact, in general terms, thanks to these types of rooms, radiation doses to patients are reduced by approximately half", said Marciano Gómez. This decrease can be up to 45% in studies of the pediatric abdomen, 15.5% in the pediatric thorax and up to 27% in the pediatric skull.
The councilor added that, in addition, with this system "test rejection rates are reduced, since it incorporates a motion sensor, which prevents the radiodiagnostic technician from activating the system in the event that the patient moga".
Real-time detection
These rooms also have other artificial intelligence tools that, for example, through algorithms are able to detect in real time the anomalies presented by the patient in a chest test, which can contribute to reducing reading times and help in the diagnosis. Another advantage is that, with a single exposure, the software allows different views, such as removing the view of the ribs in a chest X-ray, seeing only the tubes and drains, etc., without the need for further acquisitions and so on. avoid unnecessary radiation to the patient.
The head of Health has remarked that "in short, the aim of these teams is patient care through dose control, so everything is designed to contribute to the ergonomics and productivity of the room, that everything is automatic and specific for each patient and that their radiological examination is specific".
"On the other hand - the councilor continued - in addition to the undoubted benefits that these rooms bring to the patient, they are a great help for radiodiagnostic professionals, who no longer have to calculate all the specific parameters in each examination". "Likewise, since they are robotic with ceiling suspension and all the movements can be done automatically, the technicians don't have to position the patient manually either, with what this entails reducing physical effort and minimizing injuries", he pointed out.
The first hospital to have this cutting-edge technological equipment was General Doctor Balmis in Alicante, whose first room was put into operation at the end of October and where 2,160 tests have already been carried out 1,888 patients. Since the month of January, he has had a second one exactly the same.
The other five identical teams to those of the Alicante hospital have already been installed in two rooms of the General d'Elche, in two others of the Clinic of Valencia and one of the Malva-rosa of Valencia. They are already in operation at the illegal hospital and will soon be operational in the centers of the Valencian capital.
To these ceiling radiology equipment, another 10 similar ones will be added, for which 2 million euros will be invested and they will be installed in the General Hospital of Castelló, Doctor Peset de Valencia, Francesc de Borja de Gandia, the Lluís Alcanyís de Xàtiva, the Marina Baixa de la Vila Joiosa, the General d'Elda and the integrated health center of Villena.
New heliport
During his visit to the Alicante hospital, the councilor also referred to the recent opening to traffic of the permanent heliport for restricted medical use, located on the roof of the hospital's car park.
Marciano Gómez has valued this infrastructure, "since it makes it possible to shorten distances and reduce response time in assistance, since during the last eight years the medical helicopters landed at the Sant Vicent del Raspeig fire station and from there it was the one transferred by ambulance to the Alicante hospital".
The heliport, operational since last week, has a total area of around 2,100 square meters and has involved an investment of 240,000 euros. The infrastructure is made up of the helipad, for the landing and take-off of aircraft, with visual aids for maneuvers, light beacons for night use and means of fire protection.
The work consisted of adapting the project to the current regulations, in terms of operational security of restricted-use aerodromes. The pavement, the electrical installation, the fire extinguishing system, as well as the visual aids, have been adapted.
Once the works have been completed, the necessary steps have been taken to achieve the resolution of opening to traffic. In this sense, the teams that will be directly involved in the use of the heliport have been formed, such as the professionals from the Health Emergency Service of the Valencian Community and the Doctor Balmis Hospital.
The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, highlighted, during the presentation of the tourist milestones of 2023 and the new challenges of the Costa Blanca Trust, the alliance between the tourism sector and the Generalitat to consolidate the leadership of the Costa Blanca destination.
The head of the Council has considered the "humility and unity" with which he works daily, as well as "the coordination and ability to work" to position himself as a of the main tourist destinations.
Likewise, he referred to the good results obtained by the sector during 2023 and expressed his hope that they will be surpassed in 2024, which will contribute to the abolition of the tourist tax, recently repealed by the Council in order to continue attracting visitors .
During his speech, Mazón referred to the effort to maintain competitiveness as well as the diversity of the tourist offer of the Costa Blanca and the Valencian Community, which has "sustainable and attractive beaches, the most mountainous province of Spain, inland routes, or its gastronomic wealth".
For his part, the president of the Provincial Council of Alicante and president of the Costa Blanca board of trustees, Toni Pérez, has pointed out the objective of consolidating itself as an intelligent tourist destination "betting on digitization, artificial intelligence and natural intelligence". In this sense, he explained that the main axes of action will be accessibility, innovation and technology, digitization and environmental, economic and social sustainability.
It should be noted that the Costa Blanca destination attracts 45.7% of all travelers heading to the Valencian Community, and that in 2023 it has increased by 4.1 percentage points the 2019 employment records.
Nuria Montes highlights the good tourist data
The Minister of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Nuria Montes, presented this Wednesday the 2023 tourism balance and the 2024 forecasts in an event held at the stand of the Valencian Community of Fitur in which the President of the Generalitat also participated , Carlos Mazón.
Nuria Montes has pointed out that "all the indicators are positive" and has remarked that "definitely 2023 has been the best year touristically speaking".
In addition, he explained that, although the variable of tourists is positive, "there are others that are much more important", and in this sense, it has influenced the "positive evolution of profitability, social sustainability and the creation of jobs , as well as sales forecasts".
For Nuria Montes, "the data for 2023 is very good, but what is really interesting is all the perspectives that we have already evaluated for the year 2024, and all of them make us think that we will again be in the best year for tourism in terms of all the variables" .
Montes has reiterated that in the Generalitat "we are not concerned about counting tourists, what we are concerned about is counting the beneficial effect that tourism has on the economy and on the social component of the Valencian Community", and has pointed out that "all this is will be fulfilled during the year 2024".
Along these lines, he explained that the data from the airports of the Valencian Community are "very positive in all markets", and he highlighted that the prospects, especially for hotel sales, are already growing above the best forecasts".
In addition, he emphasised that "the public sector and the private sector are practically aligned in the same discourse", and he recalled that "we no longer have the threat of the tourist tax on the table", so he pointed out that " now what remains is the work to manage the success that comes to us and make the Valencian Community more sustainable in terms of tourism and also more recognised".
Balance data 2023
Nuria Montes has highlighted that the Valencian Community "is in an excellent competitive position so that tourism activity continues to develop at a great pace".
Thus, he explained that, to reinforce these conditions, favored by the great business dynamism, "a tourism policy is being designed based on sustainability, regulatory adaptation and public-private cooperation, which places the Valencian Community at the forefront of but sustainable tourism development".
The head of Tourism has remarked that "tourism contributed in 2022 to the GDP of the Valencian Community with 15.8%, already reaching the pre-pandemic levels of 2019", and has advanced that with the very positive data that the activity has collected in 2023 "everything seems to indicate that the contribution of tourism to the GDP of the Valencian Community for the first time may have exceeded 16% in 2023".
In addition, Montes emphasized that 2023 "has turned out to be a great year for the tourism sector, as confirmed by the main activity indicators". In this line, he has highlighted the increases in the occupancy rates of the tourist accommodation offer, a greater volume of visitors and, especially, the increases in the economic indicators such as that of employees in the activity or the strong rise in the indices of profitability of tourist accommodation (Revpar).
Regarding the results of 2023, Montes highlighted that "we have reached 28.5 million tourists, between national and international" and, in addition, sales in the tourism sector have increased by 16.6% compared to 2019" .
Regarding spending, it should be noted that, in 2023, domestic tourist spending has grown by 5.34% compared to 2022, and spending by international tourists has increased by 23.4% compared to 2022.
Other noteworthy data are the growth of Revpar (revenues per room available), it was 23.7%, and tourist employment rose by 6.24% year-on-year.
Forecasts for 2024
With respect to the forecasts for 2024, the Minister of Tourism has advanced that, according to the estimates of Turisme Comunitat Valenciana "it is expected that the turnover of tourist companies will increase by 10% in 2024".
In addition, an increase in air capacity at Alicante airport is expected, with a growth of 13.1% in the number of seats and 12.6% in the number of flights. Likewise, for Valencia airport, a rise of 6.9% in the number of seats is expected, and of 7.1% in the number of flights.
Nuria Montes explained that "these data show us a change in trends in the different markets and demand segments to which it is necessary to adapt, such as the search for unique and memorable experiences, the interest in gastronomy and local products, or the prioritisation of spending on trips that seek physical and emotional well-being".
Montes has also referred to the increase in air capacity and the emergence of new railway operators, to the increase in sustainability and social responsibility in supply and demand, to the adaptation and mitigation of the impact of climate change, the acceleration of investment in digitisation of the travel cycle, technology and artificial intelligence, or data management and generation of tourist knowledge.
The head of the Council will hold meetings with tourist operators and airlines to strengthen the presence of international tourists throughout the year
It indicates that the Council's commitment to deseasonalization and the national market is reflected in actions such as the 2024 Tourist Voucher or the IMSERSO tourism program
The union of the tourism sector stands out to consolidate our territory as a preferred tourist destination in the main markets
He emphasizes that this edition will break the record of companies and associations participating in the Community stand
He states that one of the strategic objectives for this year is to "place the Valencian Community as the first fully sustainable destination"
He points out that the segmentation of the tourist offer will be strengthened with its own spaces in the areas of cinema, sports or LGBTI+
He assures that the 'Mediterranean Attitude' invites all visitors to the Community to "live first-hand the passion, the effort, the identity, the light and the soul of the Mediterranean"
The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, will attend Fitur 2024 with the aim of strengthening the position of the Valencian Community as a first-rate tourist destination, both in the national and international markets. In Fitur, the head of the Council will show the 'Mediterranean Attitude' to increase business opportunities in the tourism sector and increase the arrival of tourists throughout the year.
To do this, the president will maintain an intense agenda of meetings with the main tour operators and mobility companies to "attract more tourists to our Community throughout the year, taking advantage of the wealth, the climate and the attractiveness of our land 365 days".
Carlos Mazón will support the Valencian companies and entities present in Fitur, "true protagonists of this event in a record year in participation", which will count on the collaboration of the Generalitat "to favor their business and make it more attractive the Community to tourists".
In this edition of Fitur, which will take place from January 24 to 28 in Madrid, more than 500 co-exhibitors will participate in the stand of the Valencian Community, 261 of which will be companies and tourist organizations, among which the participation of 158 firms specialized in product, 19 technological or 28 in the festival area. The highest representative of the Valencian executive has insisted that the final objective of this fair is that "our companies close agreements and expand their business to sell our product and our destination".
The Valencian Community will have a 2,050 m² stand that will reflect the 'Mediterranean Attitude', a proposal that invites all visitors to the Community to "live first-hand the passion, the effort, the identity, the light and the 'soul of the Mediterranean', says Mazón.
Strengthen tourist activity
The Valencian delegation, headed by the president, will carry out more than 200 activities during the fair focused on establishing agreements and expanding contacts with the main tourist operators, airlines, travel agents or professionals from various fields, among others.
The head of the Council will have meetings with tour operators such as Jet 2 Holidays or Booking; transport companies such as Ryanair, Vueling, Ouigo, Baleària and Vectalia, or hotel companies such as Magic Costa Blanca-Marina d'Or. Likewise, he will attend the presentations of the destinations of the Valencian Community such as Costa Blanca, Valencia, the European Green Capital or the pre-Olympic sport, among others.
On Thursday the 25th, the day of the Valencian Community, the president will advance the strategic objectives and actions of the Generalitat to support tourist activity, and will tour the stands to get to know first-hand the new tourist brands of the Community and the business prospects of the companies present in Fitur.
Mazón stressed that the Generalitat is working together with all the agents involved to "position the Valencian Community as the first fully sustainable destination" and to launch actions that "favor the deseasonalization of the sector". In this sense, he recalled initiatives such as the 2024 Tourist Voucher or the IMSERSO tourism program to "attract visitors 365 days a year".
In addition, the Generalitat will promote in Fitur the expansion of new activities linked to tourism in highly growing markets, such as sports, culture or LGBTI+, which will have their own space within the framework of the Tourism Fair .
The president of the Provincial Council, Toni Pérez , presented this morning at the ACTIU company located in Castalla the report prepared by the Institute of Economic Studies of the Province of Alicante – INECA , on the 'Current situation of the industrial model in the province'. This document, financed by the provincial institution, focuses on the economic and business health of Alicante and its municipalities , as well as its growth potential with respect to the industrial sector.
During the event, in which the regional Secretary of Industry, Felipe Carrasco , the president of INECA, Ignacio Amirola , as well as officials from the host company , also participated , Toni Pérez highlighted that the study reflects “ the productive wealth of a territory "which constitutes an indispensable asset for the economic success of the Valencian Community and Spain ." “ We have carried out this report that allows us to make a diagnosis of the situation to specify challenges. This is an important starting point, since the assessments collected provide a global vision, at a financial level, that allows us to integrate these results in all areas of society, as well as generate knowledge ," stated the president of the Provincial Council. who, in addition, has pointed out that the document not only analyzes the strong points of the Alicante industry , but also those aspects and sections " in which we can optimise resources to increase results ."
As confirmed by the provincial official, “ we are a province full of a demanding professional sector made up of self-employed workers, entrepreneurs, small, medium and large companies and many jobs depend on our industry, as well as a good part of our Gross Domestic Product ” , which is why it has recognised that coordination between administrations is essential when it comes to “ incentivising and supporting our productive sectors with the purpose of carrying out actions that generate active growth dynamics .”
In his speech, Toni Pérez conveyed to the more than fifty businessmen, mayors and authorities present at the event that recognizing the levers of growth on which the strategies must pivot in coordination is essential to continue on the path of progress.
For this reason, he has emphasized that the province has a different structure from practically all of the rest of Spain. “ Alicante has a different and varied business fabric with key sectors that act as a shuttle .” As she explained in detail, “ each of our regions has a different potential, all of them complementary and highly competitive .”
“ Diversification and potential are key in a very unique territory, where we want the relevance and weight of the industrial sector to improve. We must also bet on small companies that relocate in search of better locations and economies ,” he assured, while advocating immersion in the process of refounding the European industry, “ in that digital green transition where we have to try, through public-private collaboration and private-private collaboration, so that no one is left behind .”
To this end, it has maintained that sustainability is a good model and example from its triple dimension : environmental, economic and social .
Finally, the president has valued the weight of the family business, which is the “ great strength of this province ”, and has maintained that with this real diagnosis “ we can guide policies that take a 180 degree turn, with vision, action and risk, to apply efforts in innovation, digitalisation and sustainability and reach out to the creation of employment and well-being .”
The INECA report is structured into four thematic blocks that address productivity analysis , digitalisation , the impact of the European green industrial plan and a synthesis of results and proposals for strategic actions. As stated in the treaty, the province of Alicante is a leader in different areas of the industrial sector, showing better values than the Spanish average in the manufacturing of computer products , metallurgy , transport materials , graphic arts and reproduction , furniture manufacturing or metal products , among others, while the weight of other manufacturing industries must be reinforced.
This laborious work provides a key x-ray of the sector and its evolution in recent decades , as well as proposals to help improve the main socioeconomic indicators of the province.
Some of the priority incentives and ideas proposed are to reduce unemployment in this sector and increase labor productivity , which is an indicator of the value and wealth of a company; accelerate the creation of new industrial spaces ; promote the development of a machinery renewal plan , in addition to reviewing moratoriums on regulations that increase demands and become a brake for SMEs and specific incentive plans. The ultimate goal is to improve productivity, technological commitment, training , as well as business mergers of specific clusters to increase business size.
For his part, the president of INECA has detailed that this “ complete study poses a series of challenges not only for the administrations, but for businessmen, who must be supported with public actions to achieve those positions that we propose .” As stated, the Alicante Provincial Council agreed to collaborate in the execution of this study because, “ for this institution, as well as for the Generalitat chaired by Carlos Mazón, the province of Alicante is either an industry or it is not and that is the reason for be that motivated the report .”
Furthermore, he has recognised that in said proposal one of the requests was to be critical , as well as to contribute ideas and constructive aspects to involve the administrations in the roadmap designed in order to recover positions . “ INECA remains faithful to its founding objectives of analysing the province with rigor and with data. Our common purpose is to energize the Alicante economy and accelerate the transformation process through competitiveness, combination and variety of activities and services that act as a driving force ,” Amirola stated.
The director of Corporate Responsibility of ACTIU, Carmen Berbegal , explained that this company was created by her father more than 50 years ago and has assured that “ we have always been an industry, because the industry is opportunity, health, work, development, career. People also want to live in inland areas and we have to structure cities and towns, something that is achieved with industry .”
The objective is to reinforce road safety, incident response and maintenance of the provincial road network.
The Roads Area of the Alicante Provincial Council has launched the special winter device with the aim of reinforcing, for the next three months, road safety, incident response and maintenance of the provincial road network. Five foremen , thirty assistants , ten trucks and vans , three salt spreaders and three snow plows make up this service that is especially relevant these days with the announcement of the arrival of rain and the drop in temperatures.
In addition to its own resources, the provincial institution has for this device the collaboration of three external companies with permanent availability to intervene immediately in the event of possible emergencies that may arise.
The deputy responsible for the area, Arturo Poquet , explained that the purpose of this winter plan is “ to provide a quick and effective response to the inclement weather typical of this time .” " The service - he added - has specific machinery and equipment to provide coverage throughout the territory and, although fortunately we have not yet had to resort to it, it is perfectly prepared ."
The special operation of the Alicante Provincial Council also includes 60,000 kilos of salt that are stored in the different warehouses that the institution has distributed throughout the territory, while at the same time it has the collaboration of the Provincial Firefighters Consortium , whose members They are also prepared and prepared to deal with any incident .
The Minister of Health, Marciano Gómez, expressed during his appearance after the Plenary of the Council his gratitude to the Valencian citizens "for the solidarity and commitment they have shown by tripling the rate of vaccination in a single day".
Specifically, as explained by the councilor "during the first day of open doors and vaccination without an appointment, 2.85 times more doses were administered than last January 5". In fact, during yesterday's day, 22,693 doses were declared, compared to 7,982 doses last January 5.
On the other hand, of the total doses declared on the first day of unscheduled vaccination, 13,251 were flu vaccines and 9,442 were doses against COVID-19.
In this sense, Marciano Gómez has reiterated the importance of vaccination "to minimise contagions and remit the epidemic wave of respiratory virus infections", and has highlighted "the commitment that is being demonstrated by Valencian society and its col· collaboration to stop both the flu and the COVID-19".
Doses administered in each province in just one day
By province, 8,165 doses were administered yesterday in health centres in Alicante, of which 3,309 were vaccines against COVID-19 and 4,856 were doses against the flu.
On the other hand, during the same day, a total of 2,972 vaccines, 1,730 for influenza and 1,242 for COVID-19, were administered in the centers of Castelló.
Also, in Valencia during the first day of open doors, the care centres declared a total of 11,556 vaccinations, of which 6,665 were against the flu and 4,891 against the COVID-19.
Incidence of respiratory viruses
As explained by the minister, the incidence rate of acute respiratory infection in the Valencian Community was 1,318.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, in this first week of January. "Period in which the incidence is usually lower, according to Public Health technicians, so they expect it to increase next week", he clarified.
In this sense, Marciano Gómez has emphasized that "every decision that is being taken in the Valencian Community to minimize infections due to respiratory viruses is endorsed and verified by Public Health technicians and Preventive Medicine professionals".
As for the incidence of hospitalised patients, it has gone from 37.3 cases to 42.9 cases this week, so "from Health, planning work is being carried out regarding the influx of patients to health centres ". In addition, "at the moment the hospital situation is very similar to that of last year, there is greater tension in the hospitals, but no collapse", concluded.
Finally, the councilor insisted on the importance of vaccination and stressed that "no Valencian who wants to be vaccinated will be left without a vaccine".
After collecting the data from the last fortnight of December, the Bigdata HOSBEC departments take stock of the hotel tourism activity of the different tourist points and areas analyzed during the year 2023.
The province of Valencia closes the year with 81%, highlighting the city of Valencia with the best annual average occupancy data of the areas and destinations analyzed (81.3%) , which increases the 2019 records by almost 3 percentage points. The balance between international and national is balanced at the provincial level, but in the case of the Valencia destination the volume of international tourists rises to 64.2% with markets such as the Dutch and the British leading the way.
Benidorm , with an average available hotel floor of 120 accommodations and more than 41,000 beds throughout the year, is not far from the data of Valencia and reaches 80.4% average occupancy during 2023 . However, it does not experience an increase compared to 2019, since it remains at 3.8 percentage points, a distance that has increased in part due to the delay of the IMSERSO program.
The tourist area of the Costa Blanca wins the race in 2019, surpassing it by 4.1 percentage points and finally achieving an annual occupancy rate of 72.9% . Furthermore, it is worth highlighting the commitment to the continuity of the tourist activity of its accommodation plant, which surpasses a record year like 2019 in practically every month.
The province of Castellón remains strong with 70.3% occupancy and continues to be a magnet for the domestic market , which represents 80% of the total volume of tourists. Despite its high level of seasonality, which is concentrated in the first quarter of the year and the months of November and December, the province holds up with more than 17,900 available places grouped into an annual average of 177 operating establishments.
Mayte García, General Secretary of HOSBEC, makes her first assessment of the end of the year: “2023 has ended giving the strength that the sector needs to face a new year with very good forecasts. The goal of 2023 was to recover pre-pandemic data, and these results show that it has been achieved. Contributing a consolidation to those data that were already a record, a more qualified hotel plant in the Valencian Community, and the image of a less seasonal destination and with greater international projection.
Below, we offer you a detailed analysis of hotel occupancy in different parts of the Valencian Community.
BENIDORM
Benidorm closes the last fortnight of the year with 70% occupancy , thus ending 2023 with an average annual occupancy of 80.4% . A figure that closes the gap with respect to 2019, remaining at 3.8 percentage points. (See the monthly evolution of hotel occupancy in the bar graph of the report).
The first quarter of the year is the one with the greatest distance in relation to the 2019 records with data that range between 63%-75% occupancy. Increasing the pace of growth since the month of April with the arrival of Holy Week. From then on, the total number of rooms reserved at the destination does not drop below 80% until the month of November, reaching the highest peak during the month of August (92.2%).
The weight of tourists of international origin who stay in hotels is greater than that of nationals during 2023 (57.8%), increasing their share by 2.9 percentage points. Regarding the total volume of international travelers, the United Kingdom continues to support Benidorm, maintaining the same representation as in 2019 (41.5%) and accounting for 78.9% of the quota of international travelers received by the destination's hotels. They are followed at a long distance by Belgium (3.2%) , the Netherlands (2.9%), Portugal (2.7%) and Ireland (2%) .
After the years of instability caused by the pandemic, the hotel plant remains stable during 2023, exceeding in most months the capacity offered in 2019. In this way, the capital of the Costa Blanca closes the year with an average provisional annual of 120 establishments and more than 41,000 places available .
The first half of January 2024 already has 62% confirmed reservations , with the possibility of increasing thanks to the last Christmas holidays.
COSTA BLANCA
The last fifteen days of 2023, the Costa Blanca (not including Benidorm) reached 57.2% average occupancy, closing the year with 72.9% . Exceptional data that increases by 4.1 percentage points the 2019 records in which 68.8% annual occupancy was recorded (see the monthly evolution of hotel occupancy in the bar graph of the report).
The lowest monthly occupancy rates are recorded in January and December, but it is worth noting that each month exceeds the 2019 data, reaching the highest level in August at 91% . The balance between national and international tourists is balanced, with the latter gaining ground and increasing by 3.5 points, reaching 48.4%. The British tourist is the predominant one with 12.8% of the total, followed by the Belgian with 5.5% and the Norwegian with 4.7%.
The provisional annual average of establishments open during 2023 is 260, representing more than 27,000 hotel beds. The onset of the low season means that the available supply decreases in the first quarter of the year, as many establishments choose to offer vacation time off to their employees.
Regarding the forecast expected for January 1 to 15, 2024, on this occasion it is expected to reach 55.1 % with optimism of exceeding it in the coming days.
VALENCIA
Hotels in the province of Valencia reached 58.7% occupancy in the last fortnight of the year. Thus, they put the finishing touch on 2023 with an average annual occupancy of 81%. A more than positive fact with which it grows by 2.8 percentage points in relation to 2019 (see the monthly evolution of hotel occupancy in the bar graph of the report).
The celebration of the Fallas in the month of March is the starting signal for monthly occupancy that does not drop below 81% until the month of November. In the case of the city of València, which improves the values of the province (81.3%), every month exceeds the records of 2019, its star month, unlike the rest of the areas and destinations analyzed, being September with 90.1%.
The provisional average of available hotel facilities in 2023 in the province stands at 390 establishments that make more than 37,300 places available to guests to spend the night. From May to September there are more than 39,000 places available, which begin to decrease in November for destinations like Gandía, conditioned by seasonality.
Regarding the origin of tourists who have spent the night in hotels in the province of Valencia, in 2023 it is worth noting that the national market grows 3.6 percentage points compared to 2019 . The international market reaches a share of 49.5%, showing a distribution of weights between nationalities that is more distributed than in the rest of the areas. The Netherlands (5.7%) and the United Kingdom (5.5%) lead the table along with Italy with 5.3% , followed by Germany (4.8%), the USA (4.6%) and France (4.4%).
The occupancy forecast for the days between January 1 and 15 is 48% , although this estimate is expected to be exceeded thanks to last-minute reservations.
CASTELLON
The province of Castellón ends the year with a month of December at 46%, which finally results in 70.3% annual occupancy. (see the weekly evolution of hotel occupancy in the bar graph of the report).
The tourist of Spanish origin continues to be loyal to the province, representing, nothing more and nothing less, 80% of the total annual quota. Regarding the international market, the most popular guest is the French with 5.7% representation, followed by the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy.
Regarding the availability of hotel beds, the province of Castellón is the most affected by seasonality, which is reflected in the variation in its monthly accommodation capacity. According to provisional data from the INE, the province has had a provisional annual average of more than 17,900 places, distributed among 177 establishments.
The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, has called on citizens to get vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19 in the face of the rise in respiratory viruses registered in the Valencian Community in recent weeks.
The president made these statements during the visit to the camp of the Magi of the Orient in Alcoi, which was also attended by the president of the Provincial Council of Alicante, Toni Pérez, and the mayor of Alcoi, Antonio Francés.
In the course of the act, Mazón urged to strengthen the protection of the population against respiratory viruses, given that during the last week of the year infections have tripled compared to the previous week. For this reason, he encouraged people to go to the health centers to get vaccinated and reminded them that from today, Monday, January 8, vaccines will be administered without the need for a prior appointment.
Likewise, the head of the Council has recommended that families vaccinate the child population "to protect it and, at the same time, avoid a greater number of contagions", especially before the next resumption of classes.
On the other hand, he explained that from this Friday the use of masks will be mandatory in all health and socio-health facilities as a preventive measure, in addition to having authorized the managers of the different health departments to take additional measures if necessary.
Additionally, he pointed out that the Ministry of Health has strengthened home care and is rescheduling minor surg.
The Generalitat has presented the tourism offer of the Valencian Community in 48 tourist fairs and competitions during 2023
Tourism has managed to successfully cover the consolidated and emerging key markets in the Valencian Community
Turisme Comunitat Valenciana has presented the tourism offer of the Valencian Community in 48 fairs and competitions, both national and international, during 2023.Specifically, during 2023 Tourism has promoted the tourism offer of the Valencian Community in 25 national fairs, among which FITUR or the Mostra de Turisme stand out, and in 23 international fairs in a total of 10 markets, among them the London's World Travel Market or Berlin's ITB.
Participation in tourist fairs responds to the objective of being present in those tourist forums that concentrate higher rates of recruitment and that provide an ideal framework for the marketing of tourist destinations and companies.
In this way, the strategy for participation in Valencian Community Tourism fairs during 2023 has among its objectives to strengthen and enhance the participation of companies and associations from the entire Community to contribute to the commercialization and promotion of their products. Thus, more than 1,100 companies and associations have participated this year in the Turisme CV spaces in the different tourist fairs and competitions.
Another of the objectives of the assistance to the tourist contests is to encourage participation in the main meetings of the sector and in the contests specialized in various products such as MICE, active tourism, golf, nautical or gastroenological.
Other promotional activities
In addition to participating in tourism fairs and competitions, Tourism has promoted the Valencian Community through other actions. Thus, through the Annual Action Plan with Turespaña, some 130 promotional actions have been carried out in more than 20 markets.
Among the actions carried out, it stands out the organization and management of familiarization trips and press to introduce the destination to tourist operators and media, travel websites, bloggers, or influencers of various markets.
Promotion actions have also been carried out aimed at professionals in the tourism sector of the Valencian Community and different markets. Among these actions stand out the 35th OPC SPAIN Congress in Benidorm, the presentation in New York in March, the Advantage consortium Congress held in Benidorm, the promotional action in Edinburgh and London in October, or the II edition of Europe Connect, among other actions .
Consolidated products and development of new experiences
Valencian Community Tourism has succeeded in 2023 in covering the consolidated and emerging key markets in the Valencian Community, such as conference, incentive and event (MICE) tourism, golf tourism and holiday tourism.
In the case of MICE tourism promotion, the Generalitat has been present at the most important fairs in this sector such as IMEX, IBTM, or Meeting Show. In addition, other consensual actions have been promoted with the Convention Bureaux and sector associations such as familiarization trips for MICE operators in the Valencian Community.
As far as golf is concerned, during 2023 Turisme Comunitat Valenciana has promoted this product in the main fairs of the sector and in the main international tournaments such as the Glofmesse Zurich fair, participation in the Iagto European Convention, in the Scandinavian Mixed Fair in Sweden, in IGTM held in Lisbon, or in the Torneo Soudal Open in Antwerp, among other participations.
With respect to the development of new tourist products and experiences, Turisme Comunitat Valenciana has participated, through its Creaturisme strategy, in different competitions to promote the tourist products included in the program.
Among the actions that have been carried out to promote the tourist products of the Creaturisme strategy, the participation in Fiets & Wandelbeurs, aimed at the general and professional public in Utrecht (Netherlands); attendance at the Bologna Cycling Fair; or that of Mallorca 312, intended for the final public, amateur cyclists; or the Eurobike fair held in Frankfurt. In addition to the organization of meetings with the media in Bilbao and Madrid; or the workshop in Barcelona.
In addition, through the Gastrotourism Network L'Exquisit Mediterrani, the Generalitat has participated during 2023 in the main competitions to promote the gastronomy of the Valencian Community.
For the first time, it is positioned as the first destination in Spain in offices distinguished with the quality Q, ahead of Andalucia
The Tourist Info Network of the Valencian Community closes the year with 241 tourist service offices and more than 1.5 million visitors
The Tourist Info Network of the Valencian Community, managed by the Generalitat through Turisme CV and whose objective is to provide assistance and tourist guidance to visitors, has positioned itself in 2023 as the first network with the most certified offices with the tourist quality Q.
In this way, the Valencian Community leads the national ranking and Andalusia advances for the first time. The tourist quality Q is a badge that guarantees excellence among tourist technicians and informants, among other aspects.
The Tourist Info Network of the Valencian Community also has offices awarded with the 'S' for Tourism Sustainability, with the integral quality system of Destins Sicted, as well as with different UNE standards relating to quality and environmental management , in addition to accessibility.
The Network closes the year with 241 open offices
On the other hand, it should be noted that the Tourist Info Network of the Valencian Community has closed the year 2023 with a total of 241 open information offices.
By province, the province of Alicante stands out with a total of 85 offices, which represents 35.27% of the total of the Valencian Community, followed by the province of Valencia with 80 offices and 33.20% of the Tourist Info offices; for its part, Castelló has 76 offices, which represents 31.53% of the total.
In addition, from January 2023 until mid-December, the Tourist Info Network of the Valencian Community has served a total of 1,564,761 people in person, and exceeds the data for 2022 by 3.84 percentage points.
By nationality, a total of 1,099,690 visits to the Tourist Info Network were by tourists from Spanish territory and 465,071 were by international visitors, which represents a notable increase of 18.41% compared to the previous year.
It should also be noted that the annual growth of the Network's offices has been constant since its creation in 1990, and has gone from 197 offices opened in 2015 to the current 241 Tourist Info. In addition, the Network currently covers 100% of the county territory, with a presence in the 34 counties of the three provinces.
Tourist Info network
According to Law 15/2018, of June 7, on tourism, leisure and hospitality of the Valencian Community in its art. 42 defines the Tourist Info Network, as "an instrument for the development of the tourist policy of the public administrations of the Valencian Community and aims to provide a comprehensive set of tourist information services throughout the year".
In addition, the Tourist Info Network contributes to spreading knowledge of our resources and products, facilitating assistance and tourist guidance, promoting hospitality and helping to optimize the management of the tourist experience.
The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, has indicated that Tourism plans to strengthen the promotion of the Valencian Community destination through the gastronomic product throughout this year, so "2024 will open new horizons for the gastronomy of the our Community".
The aim is to increase the promotion of our gastronomic products and bring their quality and competitiveness, together with the professionalism of our cooks, to international markets where it can become a great attraction for future tourists.
Specifically, the Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism has planned to carry out various gastronomic promotion actions in Dubai and Tokyo during the first quarter of 2024, and to coincide with the assistance of IVACE international.
Thus, the objective of Turisme Comunitat Valenciana is to join the participation of Valencian companies in the agri-food sector in the Guldfood Dubai fairs, which will take place between 19 and 22 February, and in Foodex in Tokyo, from 4 to March 8 "It will be the first time that our products travel so far to be promoted. It is a clear commitment by this Council for the entry of our gastronomy into the international market" stressed the head of the Council.
These promotional actions will have the participation of prestigious chefs from the Valencian Community who will have the opportunity to cook for tour operators and travel agents from these countries, with the intention of highlighting the diversity and quality of the gastronomic product, among other attractions of our destination.
For Carlos Mazón, gastronomy is part of "our hallmarks" and, together with the excellence of our products and the professionalism and roots of our sector, "gives tourism in the Community an unparalleled character throughout the world".
The president also wanted to highlight the high esteem that tourists have for the gastronomy of the Community and that, on this occasion, "it will serve as a gateway to increase the number of tourists from more distant countries". At the moment, 25% of the tourists who come to the Valencian Community are motivated by the gastronomic product and their average expenditure exceeds by 30% that of other tourist segments.
The Exquisite Mediterranean
Turisme Comunitat Valenciana already has its own gastronomy strategy which, with the L'Exquisit Mediterrani brand, carries out actions to promote this product in various areas of action.
This network, which seeks to connect the different gastronomic initiatives in our territory to create synergies and improve our positioning, has more than twenty affiliated public entities and nearly 450 restaurants. All comply with parameters of excellence, authenticity, innovation and sustainability, which reinforces the positioning of the Valencian Community destination in the gastronomic field.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries has approved the concession and has processed the payment of 2,230,500 euros corresponding to the aid to the shipowners of the maritime fishing vessels of the Valencian Community, in order to compensate for the increase in the price of diesel, as a result of the war in Ukraine.
In total, 346 applications have been approved out of a total of 396 presented by owners of fishing vessels based in the Valencian Community. By province: in Alicante 176 applications have been approved for an amount of 1,436,048 euros, in Castellón 113 applications have been approved for a total amount of 564,659 euros and in Valencia 54 have been approved, for an amount of 229,791 euros.
These aids were announced last August and have subsidized the extra cost of diesel during the months of July to December 2022, depending on the days of activity of each ship, the gross tons or the capacity of the ship, and a estimate of consumption by art and fisherman. All the boats have been able to access these aids, regardless of the modality, which is why, in addition to the circle and drag, the smaller arts have also entered.
Trawlers built in wood
The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, José Luis Aguirre, insists on another measure proposed to stabilize the situation in the sector, affected by the reduction of fishing days, consisting in the selective scrapping of trawlers built of wood .
These are more than thirty boats from the Valencian Community for which there are no longer shore carpenters to repair them. In addition, there is a lot of reluctance on the part of insurers.
Aguirre recalls that the Mediterranean today is a sea out of balance and Brussels has "tightened the pegs" to an unsustainable point (120 days/year of fishing effort). So the stock market of almost 4,000 days means a faster recovery and a higher distribution of days to go fishing.
Benidorm stands out as a destination this Christmas, with 90% occupancy on New Year's Eve
Christmas season is here, in a month framed within the low tourist season, giving oxygen to the occupancy data on the most important days such as Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. In addition, this 2023 the holidays have coincided on Sunday and Monday, which has allowed weekend getaways to be extended by one more day during these dates.
On the other hand, the desire to travel and celebrate the last night of the year away from home drives the occupation of the last days of the calendar. Ten days away from putting the finishing touch on 2023, the New Year's Eve weekend already has a volume of confirmed reservations typical of the summer season in destinations such as Benidorm, which already stand at 90% and which are expected to increase during the next week.
The hotels on the Costa Blanca are also dressing up these days with 81.9% occupancy, already registering 87.3% for the same New Year's Eve night and with some of the hotels practically full in destinations such as Calpe and L'Alfàs del Pi.
The hotel industry in the province of Valencia shows a similar trend to the Costa Blanca, recording a volume of reservations for the weekend of 79%, with New Year's Eve at 87.8%. The city of Valencia improves the data of the province by being a tourist attraction, already finding 81.1% of its rooms occupied for the weekend, and this data rising to 86.3% on December 31.
The province of Castellón, despite being the territory with the greatest seasonality, also experiences a significant increase in demand and hotel occupancy for New Year's Eve, reaching around 60% occupancy for the weekend, rising to 63.5%. on the last night of the year.
These data are expected to rise by more than 5 points in some of the areas and destinations during these last 10 days, since New Year's Eve becomes the great attraction of the Christmas period , driven by the sale of dinners, parties and party favors that organized by the hotel establishments themselves.
The Minister of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism, Nuria Montes, has urged Aena, on behalf of the Valencian Government, to "launch, as a matter of urgency, the Alicante-Elche Airport Master Plan".
This is what Nuria Montes said during the event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the presence of the Jet2holidays company at the Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández airport, where she attended together with representatives of the tour operator.
The Minister of Tourism has taken advantage of the visit of Jet2 representatives to hold a meeting with the tour operator to, among other things, outline the joint promotion strategy aimed at the British market for next year 2024, and has recalled that " the British market is the most important international market in terms of the number of tourists traveling to the Valencian Community".
Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the arrival of Jet2 in the province of Alicante, Montes wanted to emphasize that "these years have been tremendously productive", since, according to the head of Tourism, "from a residual tour operator that started the its first steps 20 years ago, it is now the UK's number 1 tour operator to Spain, and it is a core and essential market in its business model”.
In addition, he insisted that Jet2's commitment to the Alicante-Elche airport "was decisive from the start, due to the fact that it installed one of its first aircraft bases in this airport and has important expansion plans for the coming years".
Thus, he pointed out that, as he was informed by the tour operator, "its fleet will grow, it will double the number of aircraft it currently has in operation until 2030", and he noted that this growth will take place "increasingly a whole strategy regarding the sustainability of their planes, so that they can use biofuels and, in addition, reduce the use of kerosene by more than 25%".
In this sense, Nuria Montes has emphasized that "this sustainability strategy extends to all its suppliers, among which are the hotel sector and the transport sector".
For his part, the CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, Steve Heapy, pointed out that, "being close to the end of the year, we thought it was a very good time to celebrate our 20th anniversary here in Alicante ". In addition, he emphasized that "Jet2.com's offer will continue to grow in both winter and summer".
In addition, Heapy recalled that "Jet2holidays is already the most important British tour operator in the region", and added that "all this is only possible thanks to the close collaboration of hoteliers, airport, tourism offices and Government", for which he reiterated that "our commitment is to continue working intensively to continue growing together".
Jet2 at Alicante airport
Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández airport is one of the most prominent destinations among the operations carried out by Jet2, the most relevant English tour operator in the United Kingdom. In fact, since operations began in 2003, it has flown to Alicante more than any other destination in Europe.
In these 20 years, 11 million passengers have been transported to Alicante-Elche airport, both on arrival and departure, with the tour operator Jet2holidays.
The Jet2 company has announced that this winter the offer of seats will be the largest in history, with around 185,000 arrivals, an increase of 14% compared to last winter, a figure that will increase even more next season winter (2024/25), up to 200,000 places.
Regarding the summer season, the company points to the fact that the offer will also grow by 9% compared to the recently ended summer, with a total of 465,000 seats in arrival and a peak of 84 weekly flights, at the same time that note that 11 direct routes are offered to the UK, with the new route to Liverpool.
It should be noted that Jet2holidays is the largest British tour operator operating on the Costa Blanca and works directly with almost 80 hotels and over 40 villas. After 20 years of collaboration, the tour operator is just as committed to the province of Alicante.
Valencia.
The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, urges citizens to buy products from the Valencian Community in local shops "for a more Valencian Christmas spirit", and he referred not only to agri-food products, but also to wine-growing, industrial and technological.
Carlos Mazón made these statements during the presentation of the campaign to promote Valencian tourist products and experiences 'A more Valencian Christmas', in which he was accompanied by the first vice-president and Minister of Culture and Sport, Vicente Barrera, and the second vice-president and Minister of Social Services, Equality and Housing, Susana Camarero.
During the event, the president praised Valencian products and recalled that this year "we were able to toast with Cava de Requena" after having obtained the recognition to be able to use this denomination. "We were able to taste Ayora's honey; the artichokes of Almoradí or Benicarló”, and “we are very lucky to have the best nougat in the world and the best prawns, both those from Guardamar and those from Vinaròs, as well as the toys from Ibi and the poached grapes from Vinalopó” .
In his speech, the head of the Council praised the work of local companies for the crucial role they play in our economy as job generators, who "raise the shutter every day".
Finally, Mazón has shown its gratitude to the designations of origin and protected geographical indications that participate in this campaign, whose work is fundamental to highlight the diversity and quality of the products of the Valencian Community.
Programming of festive events
The Generalitat has planned for this Christmas open days, visits to Bethlehem, royal mail, illuminated gardens, music and activities in Valencia, Castelló de la Plana, Alicante and Elche.
In addition, this year the Generalitat invites you to do the Christmas Route, a route through the city of Valencia to visit nativity scenes, craft markets, exhibitions and Christmas lighting, which starts at the Town Hall Square, passing through the square of the Queen and the Virgin, until arriving at the Palau de la Generalitat and the Provincial Council of Valencia.
In Valencia, the Palau de la Generalitat and the nativity scene there will be open to the public from December 15 to January 5; the royal mail, from December 26 to January 5, and on December 22 the students of the Professional Conservatory of Music of Valencia will perform.
The enchanted garden of the Palau de la Generalitat is another attraction this Christmas, an illuminated garden where you can take photos inside a light tunnel or in a sleigh pulled by reindeer, until January 5.
Plaça de la Verge will also be a meeting point during these festivities, with a Christmas fair, musical performances and children's workshops, to which, on December 21, is added a video projection on the facade of the Old Tower of the Generalitat
As for Castelló de la Plana, the Casa dels Caragols can be visited together with its nativity scene and the royal mailbox, from December 26 to January 5. In addition, on the 26th there will be storytellers with marionettes in Plaza Huerto Sogueros and on the 29th, children's workshops in Plaza del Reial. In Plaça de les Aules, on December 30, citizens will be able to enjoy a concert by the FSMCV and on January 3, a storyteller with marionettes.
Likewise, the Generalitat will open the doors of the House of Witches in Alicante, so that citizens can visit it between December 26 and January 5, where, in addition, they can enjoy the nativity scene and the royal mailbox. As for the Azorín Public Library, it will also offer activities such as the story laboratory, on the 26th; a traditional games workshop on the 29th; storytellers on January 3, and, in the Plaza del Port d'Alacant, on December 23, the FSMCV will offer a concert.
Finally, Plaça de Baix in Elche will also host a concert by the FSMCV on December 30.
Christmas campaign
The 'A more Valencian Christmas' campaign has been developed by the After agency and will be broadcast from tomorrow on radio, television, press and online, as well as metros and buses.
The idea of the campaign is based on the fact that this year, Valencians, in addition to asking for gifts, leave recommendations to Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar for when they visit the Valencian Community. For this reason, the Generalitat proposes that you enjoy some of the traditions, customs and most authentic places of these dates, such as the Christmas pot, the castle of Peñíscola, the giant nativity scene in Xàtiva, the nougat of Xixona or the cavalcade of Alcoi, which is the oldest in Spain.
More information about the campaign on the website Click Here
Madrid
The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, has indicated that the Valencian Community is strengthening its alliance with the Community of Madrid to reactivate its leadership in mobility, renewable energy and as a strategic logistics node for the Spanish economy.
He stated this during the II Community of Madrid-Comunitat Valenciana Business Summit, organised by the Conexus Foundation, in which he participated together with the president of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, and in which representatives of companies and civil society, with the aim of strengthening collaboration between the two autonomous communities.
Carlos Mazón has advocated for the launch of a "great projection and future platform" of these autonomous communities "with a growth mindset and a liberal environment", which will work from "coordination and loyal competition" to improve the prosperity of Spain as a whole, and he recalled that these two regions represent 26% of the Spanish population and nearly 30% of the national GDP.
Expansion of the port of Valencia
During his speech, the president demanded the northern expansion of the port of Valencia, an infrastructure he described as a "country strategy", and which he assured was "sustainable and necessary" also for the Iberian Peninsula and for europe.
In this sense, he thanked the support for the expansion of the main Spanish port offered by civil and business society in both Madrid and Valencia, and expressed his confidence that this expansion will be approved as soon as possible.
Promotion of electric mobility and renewable energies
During the event, the head of the Council announced three initiatives to promote electric mobility and renewable energies, among which is the launch of a network of energy recharging infrastructures in the connection between Madrid and the Valencian Community, with the aim of placing a charging point for electric vehicles every 60 kilometers.
Likewise, he has advanced that a figure will be created to harmonize regulations and streamline regional and municipal processes to promote joint actions, and an administrative simplification plan aimed at promoting renewable energy projects will be implemented.
For the promotion of these joint projects, Mazón has advanced that working groups will be set up between the two autonomous communities that will hold several meetings during 2024.
Mediterranean Corridor and water resources
Carlos Mazón has also claimed the Mediterranean Corridor which he has referred to as a "competitiveness platform" that will contribute to the fact that "there are more competitive regions in Spain" and "add to the common project".
In the same way, he has urged to solve the lack of water resources, especially in the province of Alicante, as he has assured that "it is a problem of the State and not of the farmers or the consumers of a specific area ". On this issue, Mazón pointed out that water "is the guarantee that the vegetable garden of Europe, the Spain brand, will continue to have a future".
On the other hand, the head of the Council has also claimed the improvement of the financing of the Museum of Fine Arts of Valencia, considered as the second art gallery in Spain, and has advocated to offer "stability, certainty, and a favorable administrative environment" as that of Madrid and "now finally like that of the Valencian Community" to be able to continue promoting business projects and receive new economic investments.
Budgets are not changed
The president has also referred to the Generalitat's budgets, "serious and rigorous" accounts that also contemplate the reduction of public sector spending and an estimate of real investments. In this sense, he has denounced that the budgets were made without the forecasts and with a total "lack of responsibility" of the government of Spain.
For this reason, he has been adamant not to modify the budgets of the Generalitat and has stressed that "we did our work within the deadline and in the corresponding form", and therefore "we will not change our budgets".
Amnesty Law
Regarding the processing of the amnesty law that is being debated this Tuesday in the Congress of Deputies, the president pointed out that "we cannot close our eyes" and added that the repercussion of this law will be a divided Spain in which "Privilege reigns, there are first-class and second-class Spaniards, first-class and second-class neighborhoods, first-class and second-class health services, and first-class entrepreneurs and second-class entrepreneurs".
For this reason, he pointed out that the Attorney General's Office is studying the draft of the Amnesty Law in order to exercise the appropriate legal actions before the Constitutional Court that allow the Constitution to be defended.
The Cybersecurity Center of the Community publishes a series of tips on these devices that take up Christmas shopping
The campaign focuses on connected toys ( smart toys ), home automation, IoT devices and body technology ( wearables )
The Ministry of Finance, Economy and Public Administration, through the ICT Security Center of the Valencian Community (CSIRT-CV), has launched an awareness campaign with a series of cyber security recommendations on connected devices or IoT (Internet of things, by their acronyms in English) in front of the Christmas campaign.
The Minister of Finance, Economy and Public Administration, Ruth Merino, has emphasised that the aim of these recommendations "is to raise awareness and raise awareness about the safe use of these devices", the sale of which increases during the campaign of Christmas
Under the slogan 'Connected devices yes, but without risks', the CSIRT-CV campaign will focus on the importance of taking appropriate security measures, as well as knowing the technical characteristics and privacy offered by these devices, since all the that is connected to the network is susceptible to a cyber attack.
The head of the Treasury has detailed that the campaign will focus on offering cyber security recommendations on four specific topics: connected toys or smart toys , the protection of IoT devices against cyber attacks, smart homes and body technology, related with the so-called wearables .
According to the experts of CSIRT-CV, at Christmas it is increasingly common to give gifts of interactive toys, smart watches, drones, technological gadgets and all kinds of smart devices for the home, such as robotic vacuum cleaners, virtual assistants, systems connected security systems with alarms and cameras, smart thermostats, etc.
The use of these devices carries risks if basic security rules are not followed, because they are connected to the network and can become an entryway for cybercriminals. "In the hyper-connected society in which we live, it doesn't matter how many bolts or alarms we put on our door, if our house can then be accessed through the refrigerator, because it is configured incorrectly", remember the CSIRT-CV experts .
What data they collect and how they transmit it to the Internet
The general director of Information and Communications Technologies, José Manuel García Duarte, explained that "the emergence of new technologies has boosted the offer of toys connected to the Internet because, by enhancing interactive play and learning, they are very attractive However, they can pose a security risk because they are easier to hack, attacking wifi and bluetooth connections ”.
According to García Duarte, "it is difficult for many parents to think about this when their sons and daughters play with robots, dolls, stuffed animals or drones but, precisely for this reason, the recommendations of CSIRT-CV are very practical and useful and focus on reinforcing security after purchase for the peace of mind of parents and the safety of minors”.
The general director of ICT has emphasized that, when giving gifts, "special care must be taken in the subsequent configuration that these devices require and in the supervision of the use made by minors, in the case of toys and wearables " (smart watches, activity bracelets, headphones, augmented reality glasses, etc.).
Finally, García Duarte emphasized that "you need to know what data the toy or device collects and how it transmits it to the Internet, as well as reading the privacy policy of the device and the application it uses. In addition, it is very important that the configuration is safe and establish guidelines to enjoy them without risk".
The ICT Security Center of the Valencian Community is a center attached to the General Directorate of Information and Communications Technologies (DGTIC), which actively promotes training and awareness campaigns against the risk posed by cyberattacks and which are directed both to citizens and to companies and administrations.
CSIRT-CV publishes its campaigns on the web portal specialised in cyber security awareness ( concienciat.gva.es ) and on its social network profiles.
The President of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, has demanded this Tuesday from the Central Government a second runway for the Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández airport which will allow it to cope with the increase in foreign tourists visiting the Valencian Community and which are expected to exceed the "record" figure of 10 million at the end of the year.
The president has taken advantage of the presentation of the Valencian Strategy for tourism sustainability of the Generalitat Valenciana to request all the support for the tourism sector of the Valencian Community and has rejected putting "sticks in the wheel".
In this sense, Carlos Mazón has urged the central government to launch the Alicante-Elche airport master plan and to enable a second runway "that boosts the Costa Blanca as a tourist destination" and allows absorbing the increase in passengers and flights
On this subject, the president was "happy and hopeful" that by the end of the year more than 10 million foreign tourists will be expected to have visited the Valencian Community, a figure higher than that recorded before the pandemic , specifically in 2019, and which until now was the best record.
Carlos Mazón has given as an example of the tourism projection of the Valencian Community that the British company EasyJet will soon establish a base at Alicante-Elche airport from where it will launch a total of 9 new air connections with the Kingdom United, France, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.
Likewise, the president emphasized that the Council is taking the necessary measures to encourage the arrival of tourists in the Valencian Community, such as the abolition of the tourist tax "which should never have been approved and which we have succeeded in not entering into force".
First sustainable tourism autonomy
The Valencian Strategy for tourism sustainability of the Generalitat Valenciana has an endowment of 170 million distributed in 61 tourism sustainability plans in the destination. During the presentation of this initiative, Carlos Mazón explained that tourism sustainability constitutes a "destination strategy" that involves the entire Valencian Community and that is essential both to attract tourists and to keep them in the future.
On this subject, he has advanced that the Valencian Community has already started the procedures to obtain the AENOR certificate as a "sustainable tourist destination", which will make it "the first autonomous community in Spain" to obtain this qualification .
"We will conspire to once again be the most advanced, the first", said the president of the Generalitat, who has expressed his desire that the Valencian Community continues to "be a benchmark" with everyone's efforts.
Pioneer sector
During his speech, Carlos Mazón also referred to the tourism sector of the Valencian Community as "mature, extraordinarily professional, advanced and pioneering". Starting from this base, he pointed out that this sector has the obligation to go further, "to optimize, improve, innovate and offer the best" and that to do so they will have the Generalitat on their side.
The head of the Council stressed that it is essential to make a commitment to "sustainability", since not only the tourist operators or agencies demand this value, but also the tourists themselves.
Thus, Carlos Mazón has pointed out that "hospitality, competitiveness and sustainability" must always be the reference indicators for the tourism sector of the Valencian Community.
During his speech, the president also warned of the dangers posed by "tourismophobia" and pointed out that disqualifying mass tourism is "demagoguery" and that tourism must receive support in all its aspects: rural, beach , gastronomic, sports, events, etc.
During the course of the event, Carlos Mazón and the president of the Provincial Council of Alicante, Antonio Pérez, signed the document that includes the Valencian Strategy for tourism sustainability of the Generalitat Valenciana. The event was also attended by the first vice-president and Minister of Culture and Sport, Vicente Barrera; the Minister of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism, Nuria Montes; and the delegate of the Council in Alicante, Agustina Esteve; among others.
Decalogue of sustainable tourism
The Valencian Strategy for tourism sustainability of the Generalitat Valenciana signed this Tuesday includes ten commitments focused on promoting a tourism model based on environmental, socio-economic and territorial sustainability, promoting a green and sustainable transition, mitigating climate change and promoting the digital transition .
It also includes promoting tourism competitiveness, facilitating the development of the tourism product, improving energy efficiency, encouraging investment in the maintenance and rehabilitation of historical heritage for tourist use, defending hospitality and advocating for training and knowledge.
The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, highlighted the capacity for innovation and the international projection of the Alicante toy sector, which "is present all over the world" and which constitutes one of the "best ambassadors" of the Valencian Community.
Carlos Mazón made these statements during his visit to the Technological Institute of Children's Products and Leisure (AIJU), where the 33rd edition of the AIJU Guide 2023-2024 was presented and the new space of game 'Toylab Experience'. The president was accompanied by the minister of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Nuria Montes and the mayor of IBI, Sergio Carrasco.
During his speech, the head of the Council praised the toy sector for its maturity and professionalism, in addition to highlighting the high number of jobs it generates in the Alcoià region. In the same way, he pointed out that it is a sector that contributes to the education of children in values such as sustainability, equality, respect and the practice of sport.
Mazón has shown the support of the Council to continue promoting this sector of economic activity fundamental to the Valencian Community, and in this sense he has referred to the measures put in place to reduce the administrative bureaucracy and to relieve the pressure fiscal, "both of the industries and of the consumer".
Likewise, he has committed to continuing to work "arm in arm" with the mayors of the region to offer industrial land and infrastructures that contribute to the economic development of the area.
AIJU Guide
In this edition, the AIJU Guide puts the focus on play as a fundamental aspect for children's well-being, considered by families as a much more positive activity than the time boys and girls spend watching television, playing with mobile phones/ tablet or with video games.
In the course of his visit, Carlos Mazón attended the inauguration of AIJU's 'Toylab Experience', a play space for children born with the aim of conveying to society the importance of play in childhood, through information based on scientific methodologies.
Toy Lab Awards
Finally, the president of the Generalitat has presented the Toy Lab Awards, prizes awarded for the first time by the Guia Lab , after the votes of more than 600 Spanish families.
The Play for Change/Accessibility Award has been awarded to the company Miniland; the Cefa Sustainability Award; the Healthy Life/Physical Exercise Award at Chicco and the Strem Award: Science, Technology, Engineering&Maths at Ludilo.
The Official Journal of the Generalitat Valenciana ( DOGV ) has published this Friday the definitive schedule for the opening of commercial establishments on Sundays and public holidays for 2024 throughout the territorial scope of the Valencian Community, as set out by regional law.
These are 11 days approved unanimously last September by the Valencian Trade Observatory, a consultative and advisory body in the field of commercial activity, attached to the Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism.
Specifically, the Sundays and holidays on which it can be opened in 2024 are the following:
- January 7 Sunday Winter sales
- March 29. Friday. Good Friday
- March 31. Sunday Easter Sunday
- June 24. Monday. Saint John
- July 7. Sunday Summer sales
- October 12. Saturday. National Day of Spain
- December 1. Sunday Christmas campaign
- December 6. Friday. Constitution Day
- December 15. Sunday Christmas campaign
- December 22. Sunday Christmas campaign
- December 29. Sunday Christmas campaign
The resolution published by the DOGV also specifies that commercial establishments will freely set the schedule corresponding to each commercially enabled Sunday or holiday. In addition, they must adequately inform the public about their decision, as well as about the hours during which they will be open.
More information: DOGV.
The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, has denounced the "unjustifiable delay" of the Mediterranean Corridor "which shows the contempt" of the central government for the Valencian Community, especially with regard to this infrastructure "key for competitiveness and social cohesion ” and “for the future that Spain deserves”.
This is what the head of the Council stated during the attendance at the 7th Business Act for the Mediterranean Corridor and second half-yearly review of 2023 held at the Palau Municipal de Congressos of IFEMA and organized by the Valencian Business Association (AVE).
During the intervention, the president explained that the Valencian Community "needs an outlet for its goods" that allows it to maintain "capacity and quality" and that a new delay in the Mediterranean Corridor is "incomprehensible".
Thus, he has warned that the Valencian Community "is not content to be left behind" and needs this infrastructure to form a "railway and social axis" that improves competitiveness and also contributes to the growth of the Spanish gross domestic product (GDP).
"More than 5 million Valencians are clamoring to be at the top speed in all aspects", said Mazón, who listed the matters that the central government has "pending" with the Valencian Community such as the expansion of the port of Valencia , water, aid to ceramics, the reform of the regional financing system or the improvement of investments in the State's general budgets.
The event was also attended by the first vice-president and Minister of Culture and Sport, Vicente Barrera; the Minister of Finance, Economy and Public Administration, Ruth Merino; the Minister of Environment, Water, Infrastructure and Territory, Salomé Pradas, and the Minister of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism, Nuria Montes.
The second vice-president and councilor for Social Services, Equality and Housing, Susana Camarero, has presented this year's campaign of the Generalitat for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which, under the slogan 'A tu no et it hurts?' seeks to "involve the whole of society in the fight against this cycle and influence the importance of the victim's environment reporting".
During the presentation event, which was attended by the Regional Secretary of Equality and Diversity, Asunción Quinzá, and the Commissioner for the Fight against Violence against Women, Felipe del Baño, the second vice-president explained that the 25N campaign aims, in a "direct and harsh" way, that society "does not look the other way in this fight" and, above all, to encourage victims, relatives and friends to "report and bring their situation of violence to the attention of professionals ”, because reporting “saves lives”.
This government, he insisted, believes that the fight against gender violence "is a matter of the State in which unity must prevail, in which it is necessary that society and also the political parties have as their sole objective the "to help the victims and their daughters and sons to get out of the spiral of violence, because it is possible to do it".
'Doesn't it hurt?'
In her speech, Susana Camarero highlighted the key aspects on which Equality will focus most to fight this violence: prevention, awareness and education, and to do so, she assured, "we will carry out campaigns that are visible, notorious and, above all, useful", like this year's.
'Doesn't it hurt you?', as he pointed out, is aimed at the whole population, in general, and the youngest, in particular, with the idea of conveying that sexist violence "must hurt us all and all".
Thus, the campaign uses four messages with data and figures related to this violence: "That 80% of the murders of women occur without prior reporting; that less than 2% of the complaints are from relatives and relatives of abused women; that during 2023 more than 52 women have been murdered, 5 of which in the Valencian Community, and that many women continue to feel that they have some responsibility for the abuse they receive, 'Doesn't it hurt you?'".
It should be noted that this year, for the first time, the campaign posters have been prepared, in addition to being done in Valencian and Spanish, in English. As indicated by the second vice-president, it has been detected that many victims are foreigners and it has been taken into account that there are large areas in the Valencian Community, such as the Marines and Baix Segura, or in the universities, where there are residents and foreign students, therefore, it is "fundamental" to make known the available resources and raise awareness among the youngest.
New awards
On the other hand, the head of the Department of Equality has announced, as a novelty and within the policies of awareness and prevention, the first edition of awards "in recognition of people and entities that have stood out in their career in the fight against violence against women".
Together with the Conselleria, representatives of the deputations of Valencia, Castellón and Alicante, as well as the Valencian Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, representative entities of local power and institutions closer to the citizenry have deliberated to decide which people and institutions could be deserving of recognition.
The award winners, who will be announced next week, will be given the work 'The infinite embrace', made especially for this occasion by the Valencian artist Vicente Marzal, a young Valencian painter and sculptor who, despite its youth, it already has a recognised prestige and has paved the way by normalising a disability and breaking down barriers.
The Council approved this Friday the decree-law repealing Law 7/2022, of December 16, of the Generalitat, on fiscal measures to promote sustainable tourism, which created the Valencian tax on tourist stays, or tax tourism, prior to its entry into force. This was announced at the press conference following the meeting of the Valencian Government by the councilor and spokeswoman for the Generalitat, Ruth Merino.
"This measure - Merino declared - was on the road map from the beginning: not implementing the tourist tax, which would have come into force on December 19. With this decree-law, which will be validated in the Courts soon, the entry into force of the tax is suppressed, as was the request of the sector, and from the Government of the Generalitat we were very clear that this was how it had to be".
In this sense, the approved legal text aims to avoid the harm of its entry into operation, avoid possible unwanted legal effects and prevent the outstanding economic and social impact caused by the geopolitical situation.
On the other hand, according to the spokeswoman, the Council has approved an increase of more than 7 million, to exceed 50 million euros, "due to the good reception they have had" of the aid included in the item intended to promote the hiring of people with functional diversity and disabilities in special employment centers and ordinary companies.
More specifically, with the additional 7,471,400 euros approved, the total amount of these subsidies goes from the initial 42,540,000 euros to 50,011,400 euros, "intended to finance the indirect costs corresponding to the auditor's report to justify the salary aid", detailed Merino.
Report on Costs Law
Likewise, Ruth Merino has pointed out that the Council has been informed by the Ministry of Environment, Water, Infrastructure and Territory of the initiation of the procedure for the preparation of the draft law of the Generalitat on the protection and management of the Valencian coast .
In this sense, the Minister of Environment, Salomé Pradas, who appeared together with the spokeswoman, explained that the Statute of Autonomy of the Valencian Community establishes in article 49.9 the exclusive competence of the Generalitat for the planning of the territory and the coast, town planning and housing. Likewise, he pointed out that the Generalitat is also responsible for the development and implementation of European Union legislation in the Valencian Community, in those matters that fall within its competence.
Other matters
In the health field, the regional executive has authorized the signing of a collaboration agreement between the Ministry of Health and the foundation of the Valencian Community for the strategic promotion, development and urban innovation Las Naves, with the aim of promoting the design and implementation of innovative health promotion projects.
Thus, a pilot project will be developed, in three schools in three municipalities of the Valencian Community, focused on the prevention of childhood overweight and obesity through the Esc@lasalut app, the objective of which is to facilitate the development of 'healthy habits in schools, in students between 8 and 12 years old and in their families.
On the other hand, the Council has authorized three agreements between the Second Vice Presidency and the Ministry of Social Services, Equality and Housing and the University of Valencia-General Studies (UV), the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) and the Miguel Hernández University Elx (UMH) to promote research in social services in the Valencian Community. Thus, the Generalitat will finance these research projects with a total amount of 150,000 euros, 50,000 for each of the three universities.
The purpose of these contributions is to support the work of university research through the laboratories of the University of Valencia-Estudi General, the Miguel Hernández University of Elche and the Polytechnic University of Valencia, where they are developed, analyzed and the diagnosis and intervention models of primary care Social Services are evaluated, as well as the organizational models that accompany them.
The Minister of Finance, Economy and Public Administration, Ruth Merino, has assured that the Budgets of the Generalitat for 2024 are characterized by being "social, realistic and rigorous", since they reinforce fundamental services with an increase in social items not including the fictitious item. This, as Merino has pointed out, allows the accounts to be managed more rigorously and efficiently, since real income and expenditure figures are projected in all sections.
The Minister of Finance has presented the Generalitat's 2024 budget project after it was approved in the extraordinary plenary session of the Council and after it was submitted to the Courts. The Plenary of the Council has also approved the Law accompanying these budgets.
The budgets for 2024 amount to 29,732 million euros, which represents an increase of 4.5% compared to the initial budget for the 2023 financial year, the last drawn up by the previous Council. Real expenditure (non-financial budget) amounts to 22,670 million, 2.3% more.
The Ministry of Health has the most important budget in history, 8,504 million euros, which represents an increase of 2.13%. With this increase, real spending on Health equals 37% of the non-financial budget for 2024.
The Ministry of Education, for its part, has a budget for 2024 of 6,871 million euros, after growing by 1.2%, while the budget of the Second Vice-Presidency and Ministry of Social Services, Equality and Housing it rises to 2,811 million euros, 0.9% more.
In total, the consolidated resources allocated to social policy (Health, Education and Social Welfare) increase by 2.15% to exceed 18,342 million euros, 396 million more than in 2023.
After thanking the work of all the staff of the Ministry of Finance involved in the preparation of the accounts, Ruth Merino emphasized that we are facing budgets that, in addition to strengthening social spending, make the management to optimise the percentage of investment execution. "It's no use budgeting huge amounts and staying at 10% of the execution. This is not management and it generates frustration", insisted the Minister of Finance.
No data from the current Government
It is also necessary to take into account the conditions that have marked the preparation of this year's accounts, since the current Government of Spain has not facilitated either the forecast of deliveries on account for 2024 or the liquidation of the 2022 financial year .
Without the advance of the resources of the regional financing system, the Council has estimated an income of 12,798 million euros for accounts payable in 2024, plus 2,719 million euros for the settlement of the 2022 financial year, which will be paid next year.
These estimates are based on the latest AIReF report on the projects and the fundamental lines of the budgets for 2024, and if they were confirmed, they would represent an increase of 15.18% with respect to the total revenue of the regional financing system (SFA) subject to the 2023 settlement, which was 13,552 million euros. However, the Minister of Finance has recalled that next year's income is conditioned for one more year, because the reform of the SFA is still pending.
54% drop in European funds
We must add the strong fall that will occur next year in European funds, which will go from 1,164 million euros in 2023 to 530 million in 2024. The fall is 633 million euros in just one year, 54% less, adding the resources of the Operational Program 2014-20 and 2021-27, the React EU Fund and the MRR.
In terms of expenses, the 2024 Budget of the Generalitat is marked by the increase of 1,341 million in the debt chapter, which goes from 6,607 million in the initial budget of 2023 to a total of 7,948 million between debt maturities and interests.
Cost of debt soars 112%
Debt interest spending, in fact, soars by 112% in the Generalitat's 2024 Budget and reaches 870 million euros. Debt interest is the element that contributes the most to the increase in Chapter III (financial expenses), which goes from 464 million to 963 million in 2024.
In contrast, the accounts prioritize the efficient use of resources and reflect the impact of the first savings measures resulting from the elimination of unproductive spending and the reduction of political spending. This explains, for example, the adjustment of 7.74% in the total budget of the instrumental public sector of the Generalitat for 2024, which amounts to 3,851 million euros.
Another example of the "efficient" management that the Council wants to carry out with these budgets is the launch of the new NEFIS economic and financial management system, which, as detailed by Ruth Merino, represents an advance in the field of digitization in the 'Public administration that results in an improvement in management.
Given the organic classification of the expenditure budget, the Ministry that grows the most in relative terms after Health is that of Justice and the Interior, whose budget increases by 2.9% and exceeds 760,778 euros.
Conversely, with respect to the initial budget for 2023, the only ministries with a total budget that is reduced are Finance and Economy (-14.8%); Environment, Water Infrastructures and Territory (-33.9%); Innovation, Industry, Tourism and Commerce (-15.6%), and the Second Vice-Presidency and Ministry of Culture and Sport (-5.1%).
More than 1,176 million euros in remaining MRR
The spending budget of these ministries for 2024 is particularly conditioned by the marked decrease of 54% in the resources from the MRR mentioned above.
The Minister of Finance explained that when analyzing the investments in the Generalitat's Budget for 2024, it should be taken into account that during the financial year not only the credits initially included in the 2024 Budget will be managed, but also the remaining credits of the MRR funds that are shown in the liquidation of the 2023 budget. That is, everything that has not reached the phase of recognized obligation on December 31, 2023.
As of September 30 of this year, these remaining balances amounted to a total of 1,176 million euros in areas such as Infrastructure, whose balances on that date were 144 million euros, or Innovation, with 59 million euros . The 206 million euros from the Ministry of Finance linked to the DGTIC are also relevant.
As detailed by Ruth Merino, the previous Council's low execution of MRR funds has in practice resulted in an increase in the investment potential of some ministries than reflected in the initial budget. When the liquidation of the 2023 financial year takes place, predictably in February of next year, those outstanding amounts will be incorporated into the 2024 budget and will thus increase its real investment capacity.
Regarding the economic classification of expenditure, the 22% increase in transfers, aid and direct subsidies from the Generalitat stands out, up to a record figure of 6,534 million. Chapter I, for its part, reaches 8,817 million euros, 7% more due to the reinforcement of essential public services.
89.3% of these 8,817 million euros in personnel costs are distributed between Education and Health, compared to the 88.7% that figure represented in the 2023 budget. Capital operations, which include direct investments and indirect, exceed 2,548 million euros.
Reinforcement of fundamental services, which account for 83% of the budget
Real social spending has increased by 2.15% compared to previous accounts. Of the total non-financial budget for 2024, 83% of resources are allocated to strengthening public services. By area, the relative real expenditure on Health equals 37% of the total, the highest in the history of the Valencian Community; that of Education represents 29% and that of Social Welfare, 17% of the total.
In the health sector, the Council confirms its commitment to Primary Care, which, in addition to having a new general directorate, is provided with 730 million euros, which represents a third of the total resources in this area Likewise, expenditure to promote more policies related to mental health is increased by 20 million euros and 1.5 million euros have been budgeted in new aid aimed at companies in the third sector.
As for Education, there has been a 10% increase in funds allocated to educational inclusion and an 11% increase in resources aimed at teacher training. Ruth Merino has also pointed out that the budget item relating to educational concerts has increased by 4.9% to reach 715 million euros and that the promotion of Valencian and the commitment to multilingualism at school remains with 19 .5 million euros. These data, as he emphasized, "confirm that there is no retreat on the part of the Council in the promotion of the Valencian, but in the impositions".
The Social Services area is also getting bigger with an increase of 25 million for the year 2024. Specifically, it goes from 2,789 million euros to 2,811. The Valencian income of inclusion is not only maintained, but also increases by 0.6% and reaches 288 million euros. The increase also occurs in the item for Primary Care and Dependency, which grows by 13.6%, and in the offer of socio-health centers, where 1,200 new places are expected.
Finally, Ruth Merino highlighted the substantial increase (+38 %) in funds allocated to equality policies and support for women victims of violence, which went from 26 to 36 million euros.
Tax relief through the Measures Act
Finally, with regard to the preliminary draft of the Law of measures, also approved in the extraordinary plenary of the Council, Ruth Merino has emphasized that it contains tax relief measures for families, especially those with low incomes.
These are, in particular, the six new deductions of a social type for expenses on the purchase of glasses or contact lenses, dental treatments or sports practice.
Deductions are also planned for expenses associated with mental health, chronic or rare diseases and acquired brain damage, or Alzheimer's, which will mean savings already in the 2023 income statement, which will be made next spring.
These deductions in the Personal Income Tax, Ruth Merino recalled, are added to the 99% bonuses in the Inheritance and Donations Tax already approved by the Council with effect from last May 28, which will benefit more than 20,000 taxpayers in the Valencian Community every year.
The president of the Generalitat has inaugurated the Museum Interpretation Centre of the City of Benissa, whose space, located in the historic Contracting market, houses the history of the municipality inside. They can be found there from the cave paintings of the shelter of Pinos, through the Iberian, Roman and Moorish periods, to the arrival of one of the most important landmarks for the locality, the arrival of water, which meant a change in the economic model, from agriculture to tourism.
Mazón has declared the need to take care of the social, historical and promotional resources of this kind of initiative, and to invest in them, because they remind us of "the responsibility of our ancestors to get here". The head of the Council also wanted to insist on the fact that "this museum is proof that the multiculturalism of Marina Alta has always existed. From the Neolithic to the present day".
The Benissa Contracting market, located in the oldest part of the town, is a construction dating from the 16th century with interventions from later centuries. It is the oldest monument in the municipality and has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest since 1982.
He assures that every time the province of Alicante makes a claim it is offering an "extraordinary return" to the gross domestic product
He defends that the fight for water resources should be national "to prevent the desert from entering Europe through Alicante and Murcia"
He calls for the rail connection to Alicante airport and says that "there is not much left to start talking about a second runway", which will promote new economic opportunities in Spain
He points out that the new economic and social measures are particularly aimed at the most vulnerable and the young, and supports the elimination of the tourist tax and the deseasonalization of tourism
The president of the Generalitat has participated in the III Spanish Economic Forum in Alicante
Alicante.
The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, has claimed investments from the General State Budgets for the province of Alicante, where he has assured that "they are much more profitable and obtain more return".
He stated this during the opening ceremony of the III Spanish Economic Forum of Alicante, organized by El Español, Universia and De Alicante, in which he highlighted the contribution of the province of Alicante to the "growth and opening ” of the Valencian Community, “necessary to be able to compete.”
During his speech, the president recalled that Alicante is the province that receives the least amount from the State, which has been placed at number 52 out of a total of 52 during the last two years, and has shown his fear that it will again be the last, for the third consecutive year, if the General State Budgets are extended.
Mazón, who thanked El Español for its contribution to putting Alicante "on the national map", in echoing his claims, referred to the Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández airport and the AVE Madrid - Alicante as an example of successful investments. In particular, he assured that the international airport achieved 15 million passengers just five years after it was launched, which is two thirds of its total capacity, which was planned to be achieved in 2050.
That is why he has demanded a rail connection for this airport, since he has pointed out that "it is the only international airport in Europe that does not yet have this connection", and in the same way he has advanced that "there is not much left to to start talking about a second track" for this infrastructure, with the aim of promoting new economic opportunities in Spain.
Mazón has insisted that every time the province of Alicante makes a claim "it is offering an extraordinary return to the gross domestic product", and has valued the contribution to economic growth from tourism.
He also recalled that in the first year in which the AVE Alicante-Madrid was launched, it became the "most profitable, busiest and most passengered line in Spain".
National water defense and economic measures
On the other hand, the president has claimed the necessary water for the province of Alicante, "to be able to continue being the pantry of Europe", and at the same time he has pointed out that the fight for water resources should be national level "to prevent the desert from entering Europe through Alicante and Murcia".
The head of the Council referred to the economic and social measures put in place during the first 98 days of his government, and in particular he highlighted the abolition of the Inheritance and Donations Tax for companies and families; the approval of the first important package of social deductions in the personal income tax, from which the most vulnerable people will benefit, and in particular the incomes that reach 32,000 euros a year; housing tax will be reduced for those who need it most and, above all, for all young people in the Valencian Community.
Likewise, he has referred to the tourism sector as a "fundamental" factor for the economy of Alicante and the Valencian Community, of which he has assured that it is "breaking records", as evidenced by the strong growth of international tourism this year . In this sense, he highlighted two new measures to enhance this, such as the elimination of the tourist tax and the commitment to tourism throughout the year, and he regretted that the Government's intervention in Imserso prices are harming the deseasonalization of tourism.
Freedom and promotion of the Valencian
During the event, Mazón also made a defense of freedom in language, in education and the promotion of the culture of effort and competitiveness, and he assured that his government will work to promote the Valencian and not by his imposition, as was done until now, because "the worst way to help the Valencian is to impose on him", he stated.
In the course of the event, the chancellor of the University of Alicante, Amparo Navarro, also spoke; the executive president and director of El Español, Pedro J. Ramírez, and the mayor of Alicante, Luis Barcala. The Minister of Education, José Antonio Rovira, and the Minister of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Nuria Montes, also attended.
He points out that after eight years of inactivity "there is finally a government in the Generalitat that is taking this claim seriously"
He has recognised the alliance of the Business Union of the Province of Alicante in the defense of water, State investments or large infrastructures for the province of Alicante
The President of the Generalitat participated in the presentation of the Awards of the Business Union of the Province of Alicante (UEPAL)
The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, has considered it essential to hold a meeting with the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda in order to "unblock and obtain the necessary authorizations" to launch the project of the intermodal station Alicante.
He stated this during the presentation of the Awards of the Business Union of the Province of Alicante (UEPAL), in which he described the intermodal station as a priority issue for the Council and fundamental for the future of the province of Alicante, and has emphasized that, after eight years of inactivity, "there is finally a government in the Generalitat that is taking this claim seriously".
On the other hand, he recalled that, about to complete his first hundred days at the head of the Valencian Government, the Council has already approved the project to eliminate the Inheritance and Donations Tax and the preliminary project to reduce taxes to access a home, in addition to having initiated a tax reform that includes a package of social deductions in the personal income tax for the lowest incomes. In the same way, the head of the Valencian executive has emphasized that he has started the process to eliminate the tourist tax and has proposed the creation of an autonomous water board to make "the problem of water a regional matter and not only Alicante".
In statements to the media, Carlos Mazón has also assured that he has finished with the "most expensive government in history" and has reduced the number of advisers in half, with which a saving of 20 million has been achieved euros "only in politicians' salaries".
During his speech, the president highlighted the work of UEPAL in the defense of the great challenges of the province of Alicante, such as "water that deserves and does not arrive"; the investments of the General State Budgets "that our land deserves"; the lowering of taxes "to generate wealth, cohesion and social welfare, which has not arrived for years"; the elimination of bureaucracy, or the large infrastructures necessary for the province of Alicante.
Mazón has emphasized the importance of responding to the needs of the productive sectors through the implementation of balanced public policies, which cover, with a pluralistic view, the entire territory of the Valencian Community.
Likewise, the head of the Council has recognised the work of the awardees in this fifth edition as generators of employment and well-being, and has highlighted their commitment to the territory and the interests of the province of Alicante.
UEPAL is the entity that represents the interests of all entrepreneurs and companies in Alicante and the awards it grants are a recognition of the work of those people and entities that have worked, and are working, for the associative and business world of the province of Alicante.
In this edition, which was also attended by the Minister of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism, Nuria Montes, UEPAL recognized the work of Eladio Aniorte by awarding him the award in the category of career and associationism; the honorary award went to Juan José Sellés; the prize for promoting the provincial economy went to Provia; in the training category, the work of the Driving School Association of Alicante was recognized, and the award for the structure of the province went to the Elche and Comarca Business Association (Aesec).
Finally, the prize for the promotion of the incorporation and active participation of women in business governing bodies went to the Union of Professional Colleges of the province of Alicante.
urisme Comunitat Valenciana grants in 2023 a total of 317,572.54 euros through the call for aid intended for the fight against intrusion in tourist accommodation in the Comunitat Valenciana, according to a resolution published last Thursday in the Official Journal of the Generalitat Valenciana , in number 9707.
Turisme Comunitat Valenciana grants in 2023 a total of 317,572.54 euros through the call for aid intended for the fight against intrusion in tourist accommodation in the Comunitat Valenciana, according to a resolution published this Thursday in the Official Journal of the Generalitat Valenciana , in number 9707.
Specifically, there are six beneficiary associations and entities in the Valencian Community that receive this aid, which ranges between 20,000 and 100,000 euros and allows them to subsidise a maximum of 90% of the expenditure on advertising campaigns in the media and other supports of dissemination that promote responsible tourism.
The Minister of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism, Nuria Montes, has recalled that these grants are intended to encourage measures and actions that "avoid fraud in the Community's tourist accommodation offer".
Montes thanked the work and commitment of the projects that have been developed throughout this year, to boost responsible tourism, and advocated to "continue to fight against illegal tourist accommodations, which are a threat to the our destination", he added.
For the head of Tourism, "this type of accommodation is a problem that has grown alarmingly in recent years and has a negative impact on society, the economy and the quality of life of citizens".
In this sense, Nuria Montes has stressed that "to avoid their proliferation, in addition to this call for aid and support to the tourism sector, we will update the regularised housing register taking into account the cadastral reference". Likewise, he emphasised "using new models of artificial intelligence, with bots that are checking 24 hours a day what is being traded illegally in order to subsequently implement it". In the same way, Montes recalled that "Tourism will be particularly rigorous in the sanctioning regime", pointing out that "any irregularity detected in tourist accommodation will be sanctioned, and will be closed and removed from the tourist equation".
Beneficiary entities
Some of the favorable projects of the call for aid against intrusion in the tourist accommodation of the Valencian Community, previously mentioned, are, among others, 'Superhosts' of the Provincial Business Association of Hospitality and Tourism of Castelló; We Respect-Be Legal, from the Association of Housing for Tourist Use in Valencia (Viutur), and the campaign against intrusion by the Provincial Association of Hotels in Alicante.
It should be noted that all these actions take place throughout this year 2023, and range from advertising campaigns in online and offline media, as well as advertising in other media, such as television ads, media written, radio and Internet. Also, these grants also allow subsidizing the edition of brochures, leaflets, triptychs, posters, fences, banners and other large formats that promote responsible tourism. In addition to forums, seminars and meetings, linked to the campaigns of this program.
The Valencian Community has starred in Hispanic Heritage Day (National Holiday of Spain) in the United Kingdom. The Generalitat Valenciana, together with the Alicante Chamber of Commerce, through the Council of Chambers, have collaborated with the Spanish Embassy in London to offer the tasting cocktail that was served today in the British capital on the occasion of Hispanic Heritage Day .
The reception at the Embassy brought together 600 guests, including professionals and the media. The three Michelin Star chef Quique Dacosta has prepared paella and seafood rice through showcooking. Attendees have also been able to taste Valencian wines and oils, horchata and fartons and typical desserts from our land made with Xixona nougat and Valencian citrus fruits.
The Minister of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism Nuria Montes has attended this official reception of the Embassy together with the Valencian delegation traveling to the United Kingdom.
Montes is leading a trade mission to this country this week to visit London and Edinburgh. The councilor highlighted that "the British market is fundamental for our destination and the actions carried out during these days in London are a preview of the intense activity and presence that the Valencian Community will have at the World Travel Market fair in a few weeks."
The Tourism Minister has announced that tomorrow a special promotion will take place in Edinburgh to publicise the destination through an action that will bring the beach closer to citizens.
The head of Turisme travels with the regional secretary of Industry, Felipe Carrasco; the Councilor for Tourism of the Valencia City Council, Paula Llobet; representatives of the Council of Chambers of the Valencian Community, accompanied by a wide representation of businessmen and tourism entities of the Valencian Community, such as APHA, Hosbec and Visit Benidorm, among others.
British market
The United Kingdom is the main source market for foreign tourism for the Valencian Community, and during this year, it has accumulated an increase of 16.5% compared to the previous year, with the notable arrival of more than 1.43 million English people from January to July 2023, according to the latest published Frontur data. Furthermore, the British have spent a total of 1.45 million euros on our destination during the first seven months of the year.
Montes, aware of the recent loss of seats by some airlines regarding the Edinburgh-Alicante connection, advocates "relaunching this route again", since, in his opinion, "there is a lot of stagnant demand, which can be very important during this winter,” he added.
For this reason, the head of Turisme will travel to Great Britain this week, specifically from October 11 to 13, together with the regional Secretary of Industry, Felipe Carrasco; the Councilor for Tourism of the Valencia City Council, Paula Llobet; representatives of the Council of Chambers of the Valencian Community, accompanied by a wide representation of businessmen and tourism entities of the Valencian Community, such as APHA, Hosbec and Visit Benidorm, among others.
Nuria Montes wanted to highlight that the department she directs has prepared “an intense agenda of events and business meetings with innovation agents, and with tour operators and travel agents in London and Edinburgh.” Furthermore, she has announced that “the Valencian Community is going to be the protagonist of Hispanic Heritage Day in the United Kingdom, coinciding with the October 12 Festival.”
Likewise, the Minister has indicated that “we will finish this promotional mission in Scotland, with a specific action in Edinburgh”; where a meeting of the Valencian delegation with the main tour operators in the area is planned, and a street marketing promotional action that will recreate a beach in one of the largest tourist centers in the city.
The United Kingdom is the main source market for foreign tourism for the Valencian Community, and during this year, it has accumulated an increase of 16.5% compared to the previous year, with the notable arrival of more than 1.43 million English people from January to July 2023, according to the latest published Frontur data. Furthermore, the British have spent a total of 1.45 million euros on our destination during the first seven months of the year.
Presentation of the destination in London
The objective of this institutional trip is to attract more visitors from the United Kingdom to the Valencian Community, for this Turisme has organized, together with the Chamber of Commerce of Alicante and Turespaña, a destination presentation of the Valencian Community that will gather on Thursday, October 12 , at the Spanish Embassy in London, to nearly 600 British professionals and media.
In this way, the Valencian Community will star in the celebration of the Hispanic Heritage Festival in the British capital, where the best of Valencian gastronomy will be promoted by the three Michelin Star chef, Quique Dacosta, who will prepare paella and seafood rice through of a showcooking.
During this event, special emphasis will be placed on the promotion of L'Exquisit Mediterrani with the participation of professors from the Network of Tourism Centers of the Valencian Community (CdT). Thus, Valencian wines will be served, horchata with fartons, oil tastings will be carried out and typical desserts from our land will be made made with Xixona nougat and Valencian citrus fruits.
On Friday, October 13, the group of this trade mission headed by the Minister of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism, will travel to Edinburgh.
Meetings with British companies and tour operators
Throughout the three days of this business tourism mission, Nuria Montes has planned meetings with the most important tour operators in the United Kingdom, such as ABTA (Association of British Tour Operators), as well as meetings with directors of companies such as Innovate UK or the Green Hydrogen Alliance. , among other.
In addition, the head of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism of the Consell will visit designer furniture companies from the Valencian Community that have a permanent showroom in the city of London such as Actiu, Andreu Worlds, or Porcelanosa in the Clerkenwell area.
The Minister's agenda also includes a meeting with the director of the organizing company of 'The Fifty Best', as well as with the president of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in London, Eduardo Barrachina, and the Minister of Economy and Commerce of the Embassy of Spain in London, Álvaro Nadal.
I
The Official Journal of the Generalitat Valenciana (DOGV) has today published a resolution of the General Directorate of Industry by which the call for aid, for the year 2023, to promote strategic industrial projects in the Valencian Community is resolved . These aids are part of the sixth implementation phase of the Strategic Plan for the Valencian Industry.
This call is aimed at supporting the realisation of large business projects, both investment and industrial research and experimental development. These projects must be executed within the scope of the Valencian Community. In addition, they must follow objectives that qualify as strategic, such as promoting the decarbonisation of industry or providing a decisive boost to an emerging sector.
In total, 5 of the 10 projects presented in this call for 2023 have been selected as strategic. Those selected will receive public support of 4,131,863.81 euros for the three financial years, which highlights the firm commitment of the Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism for the development of a high added value, decarbonized, resilient and diversified industry in the Valencian Community.
Selected projects
The first of the selected projects is that of a company from Elche, Greene W2H2 SL. Its objective is to obtain green hydrogen from the various fractions of biomass waste (mainly pruning residues, forest and/or agricultural biomass) and to demonstrate its use in the ceramic sector.
The proposal of Técnicas Reunidas Internacional SA has also been selected to receive support. This company will develop in the Valencian Community its pilot project to generate new alkaline electrolyzers also aimed at producing green hydrogen in situ in the ceramic cluster. This project will focus on the tile and ceramic frit manufacturing industries, increasing the energy self-sufficiency of these facilities through the use of renewable hydrogen as fuel.
The aid will also be used to finance the project presented by the National Association of Manufacturers of Chips, Glazes and Ceramic Colors (ANFFECC). This is a pilot project aimed at the decarbonisation of the ceramic frit sector. This initiative focuses on the experimental development, within a production plant, of a new system of ovens and burners for fries that work, at least partially, with green hydrogen, all this with the aim of the subsequent transfer of 'these innovative knowledge throughout the ceramic sector.
At the same time, two projects aimed at developing a new emerging industrial sector in the Valencian Community, that of the recovery of electric vehicle batteries, have been considered strategic.
On the one hand, the Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism will subsidize the project of an Alicante company, Tera Batteries Recycling SL. Its purpose is to implement a pilot plant for unlocking and characterising electric vehicle batteries at the end of their useful life, to facilitate their recycling and recovery.
On the other hand, with this same objective, the Ministry will support the project of the Valencian company Batteryfly Smart Energy SL, which will develop a new industrial business unit that provides the possibility of recycling and reusing automotive and mobility batteries towards a second life, such as through its use in power generators or charging stations.
All the companies and beneficiary entities have until the end of 2025 to execute the respective projects and justify to the Ministry the costs incurred and the results obtained, so that the Valencian Administration will make the payments in each year according to the degree of development they have.
In the Valencia region of Spain, October 9th is a day that has a special significance. It’s a day that celebrates the capital of the autonomous community of Valencia — which is the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Spain. Approximately 2.5 million people live in the city and the Port of Valencia is the 5th busiest container port in all of Europe, and the busiest container port on the Mediterranean Sea.
This holiday, known as Día de la Comunidad Valenciana in Spanish or Day of the Valencian Community in English, commemorates the anniversary of King James I of Aragon’s capture of the city from Moorish forces during the 13th century.
The History Of The Day of the Valencian Community
Valencia was originally founded by the Romans, but by the 8th century it had fallen to the Moors and it would remain under Moorish control until the 13th century. This is when King James I of Aragon laid siege to Valencia in 1238. The city would remain under siege for approximately 5-months before the Moors surrendered on September 28th.
On October 9th, 1238, King James took control of the city. Approximately 50,000 Moors were then forced to leave and the King granted the city new charters of law. He also instituted changes that would redefine the character of not only the city but the region as well. These would form the current foundations for many of the traditions enjoyed in the region today.
In 1976, the Board of Sindical and Political Forces of the Land of Valencia considered this date a national holiday, but it wouldn’t actually become a holiday until 1982. This is the year when it was made an official public holiday.
Observing Day Of The Valencian Community
The most prominent event that occurs on this day is the civic procession that begins in the city and has been held since the Middle Ages. There are also smaller events all across the city, and many people use the day off to visit museums and other cultural institutions.
The President of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, highlighted the strength and spirit of overcoming women who fight cancer during the meeting he had with Ontinyentina Anna Blanco, a cancer survivor and the only Valencian participant in the ninth edition of the 'Reto Pelayo Vida'.
In the course of the event, the president handed over to Blanco de la Senyera to accompany him in the challenge he will face "after having fought and overcome a cancer that has made him stronger". Likewise, Mazón has assured that the flag of the Valencian Community will bring "all the strength of more than 5 million Valencians".
Likewise, he thanked him for the message of hope he conveys to society by undertaking a challenge, which involves an extreme physical and mental challenge, after having overcome cancer.
The 'Reto Pelayo Vida' is the largest international sports project to raise awareness about the prevention of women's cancer and aims to raise awareness among institutions about the importance of research, early detection and sport as tools in the fight against the disease.
In this edition, five women cancer survivors will travel from October 23 to November 7, to Chilean Patagonia, the third largest frozen expanse in the world, to travel a circuit of 70 kilometers that will end when they reach the top of the hill Gorra Blanca, 2,920 meters high.
Last September, the Valencian Community registered an average hotel occupancy of close to 85% on the coast, which is 3.8 percentage points higher than the data recorded in September 2022, according to data from the Summer Occupancy Survey carried out by Turisme Comunitat Valenciana to a representative sample of hotel establishments in the three provinces.
The data from this Survey show an occupancy rate of over 75% in hotels in the interior of the Valencian Community, which represents a notable year-on-year growth of 18.9%. In addition, the campsites on the coast of the Valencian Community recorded an occupancy of 65% in September, both in bungalows and pitches, while the tourist apartments managed by companies were occupied by nearly 60% for the entire Valencian Community.
The Minister of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Nuria Montes, has positively valued these excellent results for September, recalling that "it is a strategic month for our destination, which also helps us mark a trend towards deseasonalization."
In this sense, he stated that “initiatives such as the launch of the second period of the 2023 Travel Bonus, which started in September and will be valid until December, together with the good temperatures that have led to last-minute reservations, have allowed extend summer occupancy”; and thus register considerably high percentages in “all destinations and accommodation types,” added Nuria Montes.
Professional Travel Bonus Table 2024
Along these lines, the head of Turisme has ensured the continuity of the Travel Bonus in 2024, a program, which in her opinion “is very attractive and useful for Valencian citizens, who have the opportunity to enjoy and get to know our destination with great advantages.” .
In fact, this Tuesday the Regional Minister chaired the first professional and business Roundtable of the 2024 Travel Bonus, “through which we will jointly design next year's program that will contemplate new developments, agreed upon with the entire sector of the Valencian Community. ”, he pointed out.
And furthermore, as reported by Montes, the new edition will address two objectives, “maximizing the economic and social effects of the program, with an eye toward the progressive increase in deseasonalization and employment”; as well as “increase, in a substantial way, the number of users who can be accredited and benefit from this initiative,” he added.
September hotel occupancy by area
According to the data from the aforementioned Survey, on the Castellón coast, the occupancy rate by beds stood at 70% last September, while the hotels on the Alicante coast, not including those in Benidorm, registered a occupancy greater than 88%.
In addition, hotels in the city of Valencia recorded the highest occupancy with 90%, 2.8% more than in September 2022; and Benidorm exceeded 89%, which is 4 points more year-on-year.
Regarding occupancy in interior hotels, the data show that in the interior of Castellón the estimated occupancy rate by beds for the month of September was 65%. In the interior of Valencia the estimated occupancy exceeds 85%, while for the interior of Alicante the estimated occupancy reaches close to 74%.
onsolidated and demonstrated". In the same way, he pointed out that this is a key action for the economy of the Valencian Community, but also for Spain and Europe, since "even the European GDP is in danger if its fourth port collapses".
T
The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, has claimed the "necessary" expansion of the port of Valencia to guarantee the economic and social future of the Valencian Community and of Spain.
This is what Carlos Mazón said during the presentation of the economic supplement 'Activos' of the Premsa Ibérica Group, in which he participated together with its CEO, Aitor Moll.
The head of the Council has assured that the expansion of the north dike of the port is "necessary, inevitable, inexcusable, consolidated and demonstrated". In the same way, he pointed out that this is a key action for the economy of the Valencian Community, but also for Spain and Europe, since "even the European GDP is in danger if its fourth port collapses".
In this sense, he pointed out Prensa Ibérica as a "powerful ally" for the future of the Valencian and Spanish economy, and urged unity of action in the defense of the Community's strategic interests.
During the event, Mazón emphasized that both the new Council and the Prensa Ibérica Group share the conception of reality from the "capillarity", since they work "from bottom to top, from the scope local, regional, from the street, and finally from the provincial, regional and national level". "An example of this - he added - is the municipalist, provincialist and autonomous vocation" that characterizes the Valencian Government.
The president has assured that the Valencian Community is going through a "crucial" moment for the ceramic, agri-food, automotive sector and, especially, for the port of Valencia, and has insisted on his vocation to "keep firm our great references, which they have to pull the capillarity, of the little ones and the media".
As for the new economic supplement, the head of the Council described it as a "great adventure" and the Prensa Ibérica Group's commitment to the economic and business fabric of the Valencian Community, for which he thanked its CEO for the initiative.
The presentation ceremony was also attended by the Minister of Finance, Economy and Public Administration, Ruth Merino; the Minister of Education, Universities and Employment, José Antonio Rovira; the Minister of Environment, Water, Infrastructure and Territory, Salomé Pradas, and the Minister of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism, Nuria Montes.
The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, has offered the support of the Council so that the gastronomic offer of the Valencian Community continues to be a benchmark in terms of quality, innovation and generation of economic activity.
The head of the Council attended the opening of the Alacant Gastronòmica culinary contest, an international reference in the sector, which takes place until next Monday at the Alacantina Fair Institution and where more than a hundred Michelin stars and Repsol alone are cited.
Carlos Mazón has emphasized that it is an "honour" to visit as president a competition that he promoted and supported, from his previous responsibilities at the head of the Provincial Council of Alicante, and has defined Alicante Gastronomica as "the best embassy" and the "best presentation letter" of the prestige of the gastronomy of the Valencian Community.
Alacant Gastronòmica has managed to consolidate itself as a "world showcase" of the "good work" of hospitality, catering and the tourism sector in general, pointed out the president, who has committed to "continue breathing air into a sector that a lot has gone wrong, which has shown the ability to get back on its feet from quality, from innovation, from resilience and from the spirit of offering the world things, which are many and good , which we are able to do here".
Mazón indicated that, thanks to the collaboration between the Chamber of Commerce, the Provincial Council and all the organizers, the culinary event has managed to consolidate itself as a "springboard", a "world showcase" of gastronomy, which has made it possible , at the same time, "break a spear - he said - for our restaurants, our producers, our winemakers, our wineries and our product".
"This means gross domestic product, this means help to the hospitality industry and the tourism sector in general and this means income, economic activity and, therefore, more and better possibilities for social cohesion", said the top official of the Valencian Government. 2023 edition
With the slogan 'Mediterranean soul', the 2023 edition of this event welcomes more than 250 exhibitors in 36,000 square meters of space, two tasting and pairing rooms, 180 presentations and workshops, and 15 professional competitions.
The Generalitat, through Turisme Comunitat Valenciana, participates in this edition with its own stand of 255 square meters in which, under the umbrella brand 'L'Exquisit Mediterrani-Comunitat Valenciana', it accommodates companies, professionals and destinations for to the joint promotion of the tourist and gastronomic offer of the Valencian Community.
Carlos Mazón has made a tour of different exhibitors and, among other activities, he has visited the El Millor de la Gastronomia space, with chef Susi Díaz, and witnessed a cooking show at the Assaboreix Costa Blanca stand.
The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, has offered the support of the Council so that the gastronomic offer of the Valencian Community continues to be a benchmark in terms of quality, innovation and generation of economic activity.
The head of the Council attended the opening of the Alacant Gastronòmica culinary contest, an international reference in the sector, which takes place until next Monday at the Alacantina Fair Institution and where more than a hundred Michelin stars and Repsol alone are cited.
Carlos Mazón has emphasized that it is an "honour" to visit as president a competition that he promoted and supported, from his previous responsibilities at the head of the Provincial Council of Alicante, and has defined Alicante Gastronomica as "the best embassy" and the "best presentation letter" of the prestige of the gastronomy of the Valencian Community.
Alacant Gastronòmica has managed to consolidate itself as a "world showcase" of the "good work" of hospitality, catering and the tourism sector in general, pointed out the president, who has committed to "continue breathing air into a sector that a lot has gone wrong, which has shown the ability to get back on its feet from quality, from innovation, from resilience and from the spirit of offering the world things, which are many and good , which we are able to do here".
Mazón indicated that, thanks to the collaboration between the Chamber of Commerce, the Provincial Council and all the organizers, the culinary event has managed to consolidate itself as a "springboard", a "world showcase" of gastronomy, which has made it possible , at the same time, "break a spear - he said - for our restaurants, our producers, our winemakers, our wineries and our product".
"This means gross domestic product, this means help to the hospitality industry and the tourism sector in general and this means income, economic activity and, therefore, more and better possibilities for social cohesion", said the top official of the Valencian Government. 2023 edition
With the slogan 'Mediterranean soul', the 2023 edition of this event welcomes more than 250 exhibitors in 36,000 square meters of space, two tasting and pairing rooms, 180 presentations and workshops, and 15 professional competitions.
The Generalitat, through Turisme Comunitat Valenciana, participates in this edition with its own stand of 255 square meters in which, under the umbrella brand 'L'Exquisit Mediterrani-Comunitat Valenciana', it accommodates companies, professionals and destinations for to the joint promotion of the tourist and gastronomic offer of the Valencian Community.
Carlos Mazón has made a tour of different exhibitors and, among other activities, he has visited the El Millor de la Gastronomia space, with chef Susi Díaz, and witnessed a cooking show at the Assaboreix Costa Blanca stand.
The Generalitat, through Turisme, is launching a new digital campaign to promote the Valencian Community this autumn under the motto 'The destination of your getaway', and thus take advantage of the opportunities offered by the upcoming festive long weekends to encourage the arrival of visitors.
The Minister of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Nuria Montes, has indicated that “the objective is to boost regional and national tourism in the low season, but with ideal temperatures to get to know the Valencian Community”; a destination that, according to Montes, “is capable of attracting differentiated audiences in search of varied experiences, becoming the place where everything happens, in a setting for active enjoyment.”
The head of Turisme stressed that "through this campaign, we are going to deploy all our reach potential in digital media to show the wide range of plans, activities and landscapes for the long weekends and holidays of October, November and December." “Our purpose is to reach, or even surpass, the national visits of last fall,” added Montes.
It should be noted that in the last quarter of 2022, the Valencian Community received more than 2.8 million national tourists, mostly from the Community itself (1.5 million), followed by Madrid (318,000), Catalonia (236,000) and Murcia (169,000).
This promotion on digital media has a strategy focused on both the municipalities of Castellón, València and Alicante, as well as on the variety of experiences and plans included in the agenda of its web portal. Furthermore, this agenda will be worked on with special emphasis on these periods.
A campaign with the focus on the structuring of the territory
To implement this strategy, a series of resources will be established at a visual level throughout the digital ecosystem that will respect the structure of the territory, with the presence of the three provinces and the inland and coastal areas.
Taking this balance, three contents will be prepared for the portal that provide inspiration and many plans and activities for each of the three bridges, which will be shared in the 'Here and now' section through the corresponding banners. Meanwhile, in the video blog 'Mediterranean in Action' , new content will be proposed with varied proposals such as visits to museums, typical gastronomy, routes and natural sites.
On social networks , itineraries, destinations, experiences, typical recipes... All of this with the necessary frequency to achieve a wide reach and accompanied by the hashtag #ElDestinoDeTuEscapada. A reminder will also be included to download the Kiosco Comunitat Valenciana app , in order to help plan these getaways.
Likewise, newsletters will be prepared , one per bridge, for the national and regional markets, in addition to various actions on travel social networks and digital advertising. With all of this, the aim is to encourage mobility between provinces and visits from other regions of the country by really varied traveler profiles.
he exhibition 'The Science of Pixar' can be visited at the Science Museum from October 6. 'The science of Pixar' is an exhibition designed to offer visitors a unique look at what happens behind the screen and to discover the process used in the creation of Pixar films.
Visitors will begin their immersion with a video that recounts the process Pixar uses to turn an idea into a film, and then they can approach the exhibit and visit, in the order of their choice, the eight sections that they recount Pixar's production process. The interactive exhibit showcases the computer science, math and science concepts used by the artists and computer scientists who help bring Pixar's award-winning films to the big screen.
The exhibition 'The Science of Pixar' can be visited at the Science Museum from October 6. 'The science of Pixar' is an exhibition designed to offer visitors a unique look at what happens behind the screen and to discover the process used in the creation of Pixar films.
Visitors will begin their immersion with a video that recounts the process Pixar uses to turn an idea into a film, and then they can approach the exhibit and visit, in the order of their choice, the eight sections that they recount Pixar's production process. The interactive exhibit showcases the computer science, math and science concepts used by the artists and computer scientists who help bring Pixar's award-winning films to the big screen.
The exhibition, created by the Boston Museum of Science in collaboration with Pixar Animation Studios, is divided into eight areas, corresponding to the steps in the process used by Pixar to turn an idea into a film: modeling, rigging, surfaces, stages and cameras, animation, simulation, lighting and rendering.
Audiences will be able to learn, through videos and interviews with the workers, real examples of the technical challenges behind some of their favorite Pixar films, from 'Toy Story' to 'Coco' for 'WALL·E', 'Monstres, SA' or 'Finding Nemo', among many others.
Visitors of all ages will participate and learn about the filmmaking process through activities inspired by some of Pixar's most acclaimed films, from the first computer-animated feature film 'Toy Story', which premiered more than two decades ago, until 'Luca', released in the summer of 2021.
The exhibition, which can be seen until March 2024 in the City of Arts and Sciences, brings together dozens of elements designed so that visitors can physically and virtually experience the techniques used by this cinematographic studio in its day in day. Thus, they will be able to discover first-hand how the lighting of a scene or the point of view of the camera can influence our emotions.
'The science of Pixar' has been developed by the Boston Museum of Science in collaboration with Pixar Animation Studios. © Disney/Pixar. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
Valencia.
The President of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, and the Minister of Finance, Economy and Public Administration, Ruth Merino, have presented the new fiscal measures that will be provided for in the Fiscal Measures Law, which accompanies the Budgets of the Generalitat for 2024 , and which will represent an estimated saving of more than 199 million euros for Valencians.
As Carlos Mazón highlighted in a press conference, this is a package of fiscal measures with which the Council "adapts taxation to the needs of the citizens" and from which a maximum of 2 million Valencians will be able to benefit. This fulfills the commitment made by the Council in matters of social cohesion, support for families and public health.
With this reform, which is proposed with retroactive effect in the case of the measures in the personal income tax so that the savings occur already in the 2023 income declaration, Valencians will save more than 199 million euros, 180 millions of which correspond to deductions in the personal income tax. The measure applies to declarations with an individual liquidable base of a maximum of 32,000 euros, and a joint maximum of 48,000 euros.
Social deductions in the personal income tax
The head of the Council has announced six new deductions of a social nature related to health and sports practice "aimed at the people who need it most", with the aim of "alleviating low incomes and reactivating the economy". Measures that will result in an estimated total savings of 180,205,525 euros for the citizens of the Valencian Community who can benefit from them.
Included in the package of measures are deductions of up to 150 euros, for 30% of the amounts paid for expenses related to oral health, and deductions of up to 100 euros for 30% of expenses for the purchase of prescription glasses , contact lenses and cleaning solutions.
Likewise, deductions of up to 150 euros are collected for 30% of the expenses generated by members of the family unit who need help to suffer from any pathology similar to mental health problems. It also includes a deduction of a maximum of 100 euros for expenses associated with chronic diseases of high complexity or those known as rare, as well as a diagnosis of acquired brain damage or Alzheimer's. The limit of this deduction rises to 150 euros if the family unit is large or single-parent.
In addition, deductions of 150 euros are included for a maximum of 30% of the expenses associated with sports practice.
Super-reduced rates for the acquisition of homes
A second block of tax reductions is related to the purchase of regular housing by vulnerable groups, such as young people under 35, large and single-parent families, people with disabilities, women subject to gender-based violence or families with low resources that access sheltered housing.
This measure consists of reducing to 6% the rate of burdensome property transfers of the Property Transfer Tax (ITP) and Documented Legal Acts (AJD) for the purchase of a regular home by young people under 35 years of age and also by to buyers of protected homes under the general regime, in both cases with a home value of 180,000 euros at most.
For the acquisition of special regime protected housing or if the buyers are large families and single-parent families, or people with disabilities and women subject to gender violence who acquire a home, the super-reduced rate becomes 3%. Also in these cases the limit of the value of the house is fixed at 180,000 euros.
Savings of almost 20 million in housing
These rate reductions foreseen in the taxes levied on the transfer of a home will mean a saving of almost 20 million euros for young people under 35 years of age and the other vulnerable groups benefited by this Council measure.
With regard to the deductions in the personal income tax of the expenses related to oral, visual or mental health, the measure is focused on the part of the population that currently does not have access to them for economic reasons, since they are benefits with a low coverage within the portfolio of common services of the National Health System.
This, according to the Council's opinion, made it "essential" to enable several formulas, including the tax, "so that health is an effective right within the reach of all citizens".
Finally, the president of the Generalitat emphasized that "this is the change that the citizens of the Valencian Community deserve, to which I committed myself and with which I will continue to advance".
The President of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, has received a representation from the Spanish Women's Football Team, to which he has thanked for having become a "reference" for all the girls to whom the likes this sport and in "upheaval" because institutional support for women's sport is intensified.
The president has underlined the importance of the girls having in these athletes a "mirror in which to look". "That image, those values and that determination that they have seen, will help them in the future to make a decision themselves", he indicated.
Carlos Mazón made these statements during the reception he offered to a representation of players from the Spanish Women's Football Team, composed of Ivana Andrés, Enith Salón and Alba Redondo, who brought the World Cup to the Palau de la Generalitat Women's Football 2023. The event was also attended by the first vice-president and Minister of Culture and Sport, Vicente Barrera.
Ivana Andrés, captain of the National Team, is from Aielo de Malferit and plays for Real Madrid. For her part, Enith Salón is the goalkeeper of the National Team, plays for Valencia CF and is originally from Moncada. Finally, Alba Redondo, forward in the National Team, also plays in Levante UD and is from Albacete.
To all of them, as well as to the rest of the team, Carlos Mazón congratulated them on the recent victory in the World Cup held in Sydney and expressed his "pride and gratitude".
"We will enjoy the Cup, but we will also take it as a lesson to the public administrations because they continue to promote sport even more, with more facilities, more media and more support for the youth", said the president.
Sports values
During his speech, Carlos Mazón also highlighted the values that sport represents, which helps to "have awareness, to know how to lose and win and to compete cleanly".
In addition, he highlighted the determination of "great women" who have made women's sport, in general, and football, in particular, "break ceilings and borders".
Carlos Mazón has also praised the obstinacy of Vice President Vicente Barrera who "has not stopped until he gets this trophy displayed in Valencia", and he has stressed that "it has been the Valencian Community, first in the City Council and then in the Generalitat, one of the first places to host the trophy".
Carlos Mazón highlighted the fact that the captain of the National Team, Ivana Andrés, was born in Aielo de Malferit and that she won the Cup in the exact same year as the singer Nino Bravo's 50th birthday.
The President of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, has received a representation from the Spanish Women's Football Team, to which he has thanked for having become a "reference" for all the girls to whom the likes this sport and in "upheaval" because institutional support for women's sport is intensified.
The president has underlined the importance of the girls having in these athletes a "mirror in which to look". "That image, those values and that determination that they have seen, will help them in the future to make a decision themselves", he indicated.
Carlos Mazón made these statements during the reception he offered to a representation of players from the Spanish Women's Football Team, composed of Ivana Andrés, Enith Salón and Alba Redondo, who brought the World Cup to the Palau de la Generalitat Women's Football 2023. The event was also attended by the first vice-president and Minister of Culture and Sport, Vicente Barrera.
Ivana Andrés, captain of the National Team, is from Aielo de Malferit and plays for Real Madrid. For her part, Enith Salón is the goalkeeper of the National Team, plays for Valencia CF and is originally from Moncada. Finally, Alba Redondo, forward in the National Team, also plays in Levante UD and is from Albacete.
To all of them, as well as to the rest of the team, Carlos Mazón congratulated them on the recent victory in the World Cup held in Sydney and expressed his "pride and gratitude".
"We will enjoy the Cup, but we will also take it as a lesson to the public administrations because they continue to promote sport even more, with more facilities, more media and more support for the youth", said the president.
Sports values
During his speech, Carlos Mazón also highlighted the values that sport represents, which helps to "have awareness, to know how to lose and win and to compete cleanly".
In addition, he highlighted the determination of "great women" who have made women's sport, in general, and football, in particular, "break ceilings and borders".
Carlos Mazón has also praised the obstinacy of Vice President Vicente Barrera who "has not stopped until he gets this trophy displayed in Valencia", and he has stressed that "it has been the Valencian Community, first in the City Council and then in the Generalitat, one of the first places to host the trophy".
Carlos Mazón highlighted the fact that the captain of the National Team, Ivana Andrés, was born in Aielo de Malferit and that she won the Cup in the exact same year as the singer Nino Bravo's 50th birthday.
The Generalitat is prepared to offer Morocco immediate emergency humanitarian assistance and coordinates, from early Saturday morning, efforts in its field of action to help the Moroccan population affected by the devastating earthquake that has affected the Marrakech-Safi region. and that has already caused more than 2,012 people to die and more than 360,662 to be affected.
This was explained by the second vice president and Minister of Social Services, Equality and Housing, Susana Camarero, after the meeting she held with the Minister of Justice and the Interior, Elisa Núñez, and the teams from both ministries in charge of coordinating actions in matters of humanitarian aid.
Susana Camarero explained that since early Saturday morning, permanent coordination has been maintained with the entities with which the Generalitat has collaboration agreements "in order to respond to an emergency humanitarian crisis situation" and, this morning, it has already taken place. a first meeting with representatives of Farmamundi, the Red Cross and the NGO Intervention, Aid and Emergencies to outline the lines of action to be implemented “so that humanitarian aid reaches the Moroccan people sooner.”
The second vice president also explained that, after learning yesterday, through the media, of the official request for humanitarian aid made by Morocco to the Government of Spain, the Generalitat "reiterated to the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) all the human and material resources that are necessary” and is waiting for the Executive to convene the autonomous communities that form the decentralized cooperation.
Likewise, Camarero has indicated that in the next few hours the Permanent Committee for Humanitarian Action of the Valencian Community (CAHE) will be convened, which is responsible for the coordination of public institutions and private entities of the Valencian Community that allocate funds to humanitarian action. with the aim of concentrating resources and channeling aid from the entities that comprise it (Generalitat, Provincial Councils, local entities, savings banks and NGOs).
For her part, the Minister of Justice and Interior, Elisa Núñez, has stated that "the regional Emergency services have been ready since early Saturday morning to provide the help that the Government of Spain requests, as it is the one who must do so." The councilor recalled that these teams “have to act in a coordinated manner, within the framework of consolidated international mechanisms and in accordance with existing protocols. This is the only way for aid to be effective and resources to reach the people who need them.”
The meetings held this Monday were also attended by the regional secretary of Family and Social Services, Ignacio Grande, the regional secretary of Security and Emergencies, Javier Montero, the general director of Inclusion and Development Cooperation, Pedro Carceller, and the general director of the Interior. , Arturo Alepuz, and the deputy director general of the Valencian Agency for Security and Emergency Response, Jorge Suárez.
The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, José Luis Aguirre, has met with the president of the Regulatory Council of the Alicante Protected Designation of Origin, José Juan Reus, with whom he has analyzed the situation of Alicante wine and its commercial projection.
The possibility of working on the recovery of old grape varieties, and wine-specific R&D&I projects, has also been addressed.
During the meeting, which was also attended by the general director of Agricultural and Livestock Production, Leticia Sanchiz, José Luis Aguirre offered the DO Alicante dialogue and institutional collaboration to promote, among consumers, the dissemination of the values of wine certified.rians, beekeepers, cattle breeders, farmers to ask for their cooperation and who know how to act in the presence of wasps and their nests.
The Generalitat informs of the implementation, before the detection of the wasp Vespa velutina, of an emergency action protocol for its control and eradication, as well as of a series of surveillance tasks to prevent the expansion and curb the serious risk it poses to the beekeeping sector this species is included in the National Catalog of Invasive Exotic Species.
This is the first case confirmed in the Valencian Community of this species, after the identification of an example in the town of Vallibona in the province of Castellón, and which has alerted the Valencian beekeeping sector, affected in recent years by imports masses from third countries, the drought and the lack of support from the previous administrations.
From the general directorates of Natural and Animal Environment and Agricultural and Livestock Production, corresponding to the Ministries of Environment and Agriculture, respectively, an emergency action protocol has been drawn up jointly for the protection of beekeeping and agriculture the Valencian Community.
The protocol establishes guiding criteria for the control and, if possible, the eradication of the population of Vespa velutina and of the species, as well as the impact in areas where it has been established, with effective and efficient measures, and to minimize at the same time the effect on the rest of the species.
Training will also be given in the region regarding the Vespa velutina to municipal staff, forestry agents, veterinarians, beekeepers, cattle breeders, farmers to ask for their cooperation and who know how to act in the presence of wasps and their nests.
The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, has urged the central government to “urgently” approve the agreement that must regulate the Júcar-Vinalopó transfer “to give stability and security to the Alicante countryside.”
“We want an agreement that finally gives projection to the field and not just annual patches or for a specific time. The day-to-day life of the world of agriculture is already hard enough, without us also giving it the tranquility it deserves,” the president pointed out.
Carlos Mazón explained that work has been done on the content of the agreement, which will regulate the transfer of water to the Vinalopó region for the next 10 years, to achieve an agreement "with everyone's efforts", and he regretted that "the Council of Ministers continues to wait so long to approve it.”
The president of the Generalitat made these statements in Aspe where he attended the cutting of the first bunch of 'Vinalopó Embolsada Table Grape', as well as the presentation of the campaign for the 2023-2024 season of this Protected Designation of Origin.
“The water debt”
During the event, the head of the Consell pointed out that "water is essential, not only from the point of view of Júcar-Vinalopó, but also from the Tajo-Segura." “From the Consell we are going to fight on water issues, but this time with unity, not with low words; this time without fear of denouncing the permanent grievance that the attitude of Pedro Sánchez's
Government is causing for the province of Alicante," said the head of the Consell.
Carlos Mazón has criticized “the disaster, the neglect and the water debt that Pedro Sánchez has with the province of Alicante”, and has recalled that “the Tajo-Segura transfer has been cut more than 25 times”.
“In addition to the historical debt, the debt of underfinancing and the debt due to lack of investment, the Government of Pedro Sánchez has created the water debt with the province of Alicante and the Valencian Community,” lamented the president.
Agricultural insurance and Technical Board
Carlos Mazón has also announced that aid related to agricultural insurance will be reinforced, “which is costing farmers so much,” and that a Technical Working Group will be created “to address the specific needs of grape cultivation.” ", and has reiterated "the Consell's commitment to the agricultural world."
Likewise, he highlighted that the elimination of the Inheritance and Donation Tax, which the plenary session of the Consell approved this Tuesday, "will facilitate the generational change in the Valencian countryside."
“This measure was a moral issue, a commitment of government and personnel in the face of injustice. That is why we are going to process it urgently, because it cannot be postponed to put an end to the moral embarrassment to which we have been subjected for too many years," said Carlos Mazón.
Appellations of origin
During the event, the president of the Generalitat was able to see first-hand the harvesting of the grapes, specifically, that of the Victoria and Ideal varieties, of which he highlighted their great quality and exceptional organoleptic characteristics. Carlos Mazón has highlighted the role that the Vinalopó Embolsada Table Grape Protected Designation of Origin plays
“in maintaining a centuries-old tradition, a special production system with exceptional quality, increasingly valued by the consumer and that From the Generalitat we want to help promote.”
The president has pointed out that "all of this constitutes a hallmark that transmits the name of the province of Alicante and the Valencian Community throughout half the world."
Likewise, he has indicated that the table grape "is one of the most loved products by all of us, but we are aware that it has challenges and complications and we are not going to fail them, we cannot fail them."
The event was also attended by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, José Luis Aguirre; the mayor of Aspe, Antonio Puerto; the president of the Alicante Provincial Council, Toni Pérez; and the president of the Regulatory Council for the Protected Designation of Origin of Vinalopó Bagged Table Grapes (CRDOP), José Bernabeu.
The Minister of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Nuria Montes, has reported that the first 2,000 new Travel Bonus codes have been launched, "so that users can start traveling during the last quarter of 2023." .
Specifically, between September 18 and December 22 of this year, which corresponds to the second period of the program, and in any of the tourist establishments participating in the initiative, you can reserve both the stay and the complementary services, which also They have bonuses, including maintenance, health and well-being treatments, sports activities or excursions.
Nuria Montes explained that throughout September new vouchers will be issued to enjoy stays in the Valencian Community with a 60% discount on the total reservation. The objective is “to be able to extend the good occupancy figures recorded this summer in the Valencian Community, as well as contribute to the tourist seasonality in the rest of the months until the end of the year,” she stressed.
"With this," he continued, "the 2023 edition is reactivated, still in force, and which plans to directly inject, in the coming months, close to 4 million euros into the tourism sector of the
Valencian Community." Likewise, the counselor has reiterated that "Turisme is working on a new edition of the Travel Bonus for 2024 with some new features", with the aim of reaching a greater number of beneficiaries.
Nuria Montes explained that the new reservation codes launched this Friday are part of the edition of the Travel Bonus 2023 program and has highlighted that “they have been distributed among the waiting list that has been active since the edition of this program was launched. , in January 2023.”
The bonuses are distributed following the order of the waiting list in force since January, which can be consulted on the program website .
The 2023 Travel Bonus program is endowed with a total of 15 million euros, of which nearly 11 million have been allocated to the first period, between January and May of this year, and which registered nearly 30,000 reservations, which represents around 90,000 people benefited.
Regarding the balance of this first period of 2023, the average amount per reservation has been greater than 635 euros, with an average stay of 2 nights, with Benidorm, Calp, Finestrat,
Peñíscola and Altea being the most popular destinations. This initiative to stimulate domestic demand has made it possible to mobilize an economic impact of close to 19 million euros in the first half of the year.
More than 365,000 people benefited
Since its launch in October 2020, the Travel Bonus has accumulated more than 122,000 reservations, with more than 365,000 people benefiting. To date, Turisme Comunitat
Valenciana's total investment amounts to 31.3 million euros, with an economic impact on the tourism sector of more than 71.3 million euros.
Intended to encourage internal demand in periods of seasonality and aimed at people residing in the Valencian Community itself, in 2023 the aid is 60% of the cost of the contracted tourist services, without distinction of short or long stay, but with a Minimum stay of two consecutive nights in the same accommodation, and up to a maximum of 600 euros per aid granted.
More information: CV travel voucher 2023 -TurismeCV Magazine