Cluster

The entity chaired by Cesáreo Pardal is committed to sustainability in order to attract high added value tourism.

Once again, the Cluster manages a working space for professionals within the framework of FITUR, which this year was visited by Reyes Maroto, Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism.

“Galicia, on the way to sustainability”. Under this title, the president of the Galicia Tourism Cluster, Cesáreo Pardal, took stock at FITUR of the last tourism year and analysed the main challenges facing the sector in the coming years. On the return of the prestigious international trade fair to its usual place in the calendar, the Cluster was the star of one of the presentations that took place in the Galicia space throughout the opening day.

Pardal congratulated the entire Galician tourism ecosystem for the 3.5 million tourists and 8 million overnight stays registered throughout 2021 in Galician accommodation, figures that “far exceeded the best forecasts we had in the sector”. He also highlighted the commitment of the companies to the health measures and the different restrictions that had to be applied, “always prioritising people’s health”.

During his speech, in which the president reviewed the main milestones faced in 2021, he recalled that the insistence on public-private collaboration continues to be one of the hallmarks of the Cluster and highlighted having “worked side by side with the Administration to articulate mechanisms to support the sector, not only to maintain the business fabric and employment in the worst moments, but also to compete with guarantees when the long-awaited reactivation arrives”. In this sense, he valued very positively the effort made by the Administration in mobilising funds to guarantee the survival of SMEs and the self-employed who make a living from tourism.

In terms of the future, Pardal focused on the implementation of the sustainable product club being developed by the Cluster, since the “destination must be consistent with the social demand for sustainable tourism, which combines the creation of value and the economic development of the sector with a responsible use of resources that preserves the environment and the quality of life of the people living in Galicia”. This initiative seeks to generate high added value tourism based on innovation, quality and sustainability, “which will attract people with greater purchasing power to Galicia, with a capacity for deseasonalisation and a predisposition to stay longer in our territory”.

Alberto Núñez Feijóo highlighted the “unparalleled” quality of Galicia

The President of the Xunta de Galicia, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, led the Galician expedition at FITUR on the opening day, where he affirmed that Galicia is focused on becoming a leading international destination by 2022. Feijóo stressed that “walking to Galicia means walking to a destination of unparalleled quality, marked by exceptional scenery, culture, gastronomy and hospitality”. For his part, the First Vice-President and Regional Minister of the Presidency, Justice and Tourism, Alfonso Rueda, thanked the sector for its efforts in such difficult times and predicted an “exceptional 2022, if the pandemic allows it”.

Meeting space

For yet another edition, the Galicia Tourism Cluster has maintained a very active presence at FITUR through the management of the work space available to the Galician sector for professional meetings at the Galicia stand. In this space, which this year was visited by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, industry professionals have an area managed by the cluster where they can establish business contacts between Wednesday and Friday.