Compostela had hosted the forum “STO, Santiago Tourism Order”, a meeting aimed at compostelano tourism sector in order to take the first steps for the review of its strategic plan for tourism under the maxim of “rethinking the relationship between tourism and the city”. In this sense, the mayor of Compostela, Martiño Noriega, salientó that this meeting is a “starting point to renew the Strategic Tourism Plan, a process that has to be active listeners with industry representatives,” a matter that alderman he considered that the municipality had a pending subject.
Sector participation
In order to lay the foundation for a sustainable and consensual updating the Strategic Tourism Plan 2009-2015, the Forum believes that it is essential the participation of all sectors to diagnose the problems and opportunities of tourism in Santiago and meet issues such as economic challenges, costs a good promotion, the role of local government and the definition of a more active role in the sector.
Roundtables
The forum was divided into three panel discussions. The first one, on tourism and sustainability, analyzed the physical carrying capacity of tourist destinations looking for quality; the second addressed the relationship of tourism with urban spaces; and the third addressed the relationship between people visiting Compostela and neighborhood, with a focus on the carrying capacity of tourist destinations themselves.
Municipal Tourism Board
In addition, the council was also the Municipal Tourism Council, which had no meeting since July 2010, in which the political groups represented participated in the Pazo de Raxoi and strategic tourism stakeholders as the Compostela Hospitality Association, University of Santiago, Galicia Tourism, Tourist Guides Santiago, Intermediary Association of Tourism Products Travel Galicia (AGAVI), Compostela Monumental, Fundación Santiago Centro, Cidade da Cultura or Galician Union Consumers. He also was appointed Xosé Manuel Santos Solla, graduated in Geography and History from the University of Santiago and expert in geography of tourism to head it.