VALENCIA, Spain (January 30, 2022) – Valencia attended FITUR off a hugely successful 2022, in which the destination celebrated several accolades and titles such as the European Capital of Smart Tourism, the World Design Capital, and one of Time Magazine’s 50 Best Places in the World. Valencia also hosted the 36th Goya Gala and the Michelin Spain & Portugal Gala. The homeland of the Paella also had big announcements to tout for those in attendance including The Sorolla Year, commemorating the 100thanniversary of Joaquin Sorolla’s death, and the 50 Best Gala in June.
The Councilman for Tourism and Internationalization of the City of València, Emiliano Garcia Domene stated, “we came to FITUR feeling very proud of our work, on both public administrations side and the tourism sector. The city has recovered the volume of visitors before the pandemic, and we registered a more significant improvement in Revpar and average price, with increases compared to 2019 of around 13% in both indicators.”
García also noted that “our forecast for 2023 is very promising. The city’s good positioning at the European and international level, as well as the recognition that the city has received, presents us as a sustainable, friendly and inclusive destination with an authentic, identity-based and quality value proposition. All this encourages airlines to bet more and more on our city, improving the air capacity of the València Airport. The same goes for events and congresses; 2023 will be a record year for conferences and attendees.”
València, European Capital of Smart Tourism 2022
During the first day of the fair, València ‘officially’ passed the European Capital of Smart Tourism baton to Seville. Thus, the deputy mayor of València, Sandra Gomez, participated with the mayor of Seville in a roundtable discussion named ‘Transition to Smart Tourism.’ Gómez express that the destination has worked to build a sustainable-city model that has allowed us to obtain prominent accolades including European Capital of Intelligent Tourism, the World Capital of Design, Capital of Sustainable Food in European Green Capital in 2024.
2022 was a year to celebrate significant projects and establish the foundations of sustainable tourism currently practiced in València, a destination at the vanguard of technology, accessible and adapted to the necessities of its citizens and visitors.
In addition, to highlight the results of the most significant event of the year as the Capital for XX, The III World Congress of Smart Tourism Destinations, which was held in València from the 21stto the 23rd of November, and hosted by the Government of the Kingdom of Spain in partnership with the Generalitat Valenciana, the City Council of València, the Visit València Foundation and with the collaboration of the World Tourism Organization. The Congress gathered more than 1,200 people, professionals from the tourism sector, destination managers, government officials and academic community members.
News presented at FITUR 2023
The alliance between the tourism sector, the sports sector and public administrations was highlighted at FITUR in the meeting held by Emiliano García, Councilman for the Tourism and Internationalization of the City of València, and Javier Mateo, Councilman for Sports, with the organizers of the sporting events that the city will be hosting in 2023.
Also, seizing the opportunity, Valencia previewed the sporting events of most prominence for (insert year) including the World Rhythmic Gymnastics 2023, through the Gran Fondo Ciclista Ciudad de València, the Trofeo de la Reina de Vela, the Faulcombridge Tennis Cup, the BBVA Open Internacional de València, the Triathlon World Cup València, the Grandmasters Hockey València 2023, as well as the Maratón de València to close 2023.
To continue promoting joint work, Visit València is collaborating in 2023 with Sport&Events Workshop, a professional meeting between the MICE and sports sectors organized by Eventoplus.
València as seen on the big and small screen
Visit València, through its València Film Office department, keeps working to ensure that the city continues to be the set for large and small productions, both national and international. At FITUR SCREEN, pavilion 8, the ‘Location Plan’ Film Office, an initiative by Visit València and the València Provincial Council, waspresented. It is a map that locates the most significant locations where feature films or series have been shot, both in the city of València and in the province.
The CIFFT Awards Gala was also spotlighted, as València will once again host the World Tourism Film Awards in 2023. These awards aim to recognize and reward creative excellence in tourism communication. In the 2022 edition, the city of València received an award for two of its promotional videos: World Paella Day and the Gay Games candidacy.
València, an international benchmark in innovation and technology
To conclude FITUR, València held a roundtable meeting with the promoters of several technology conferences slated to be held in the city. The Councilman for Economic Development, Borja Sanjuan, emphasized the importance of these events to provide visibility to the city, to continue capturing companies in this sector that want to set up in the city, and to boost the city as a European technology hub.
València Digital Summit, an event to encourage entrepreneurial culture and boost the European technological and innovative ecosystem while positioning València as a center of innovation; Weird Market, the essential professional market for animation, video games and new media and one of the most important in Europe will be held in Spain; Ftalks, the international event to discuss trends, disruption and challenges of the food ecosystem; and The Next Web Conference, a global benchmark event in innovation and technology promoted by the Financial Times to be held on March 30 and 31.
For more information on València, please go to www.visitvalencia.com/en.
About Visit València
Renowned for its mouthwatering gastronomy and home to the Spanish dish paella, València is a must-see destination when discovering Spain. Located on the Iberian Peninsula with immediate access to the Mediterranean Sea, travelers who visit València can experience 75 miles of beaches, including the famous La Malvarrosa, year-round warm weather, and plenty of outdoor activities such as bike routes that span nearly 100 miles and hike trails that cross the Albufera National Park. Featuring three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, impressive museums and spectacular gardens, this vibrant city is filled with breathtaking sights including the Palace of the Marquis of Dos Aguas, the historical old town and charming neighborhoods that reflect València’s past and present culture. Designated the World Design Capital for 2022, those who vacation in València must explore the City of Arts and Sciences and revel in its innovative and futuristic buildings. Visitors can choose from all sorts of accommodations ranging from beachfront lodging to luxury historical palaces. A port city ideal for the eco-conscious traveler, it is the first destination to be awarded by AENOR for verifying the carbon footprint of its tourist activity, and the Richard Camarena Restaurant, located in the heart of València, was rewarded a Green Michelin star for its constant commitment to the environment. To learn more about the Spanish city of València and begin to plan your trip, visit: www.visitvalencia.com.