Some thirty establishments were awarded the Q for Quality seal for the first time, bringing the total number of distinctions to 325.
Only Andalusia exceeds the number of certifications, but Galicia is the only community in modalities such as tourist hostels, unique public spaces or tourist routes.
The Galician tourism sector bids farewell to the year 2022 reaffirming its commitment to quality. This is endorsed by the achievement of thirty new Q for Quality, the accreditations awarded by the Institute for Spanish Tourism Quality (ISTQ), which place Galicia, with a total of 325 distinctions, as the second autonomous community with the most awards. Only Andalusia surpasses us in the ranking of this brand that rewards excellence in tourism management and guarantees the quality of the products and services offered.
In addition, in the case of the Q awarded to private companies, Galicia is in first position with 260 certificates, as is the case in relation to the communities of Green Spain, as it is the leader in 13 categories and is the only one to have obtained certifications in the categories of tourist hostels, unique public spaces and tourist routes. This is the case of the Finca Montesqueiro, which has obtained the first recognition from the ISTQ for an event-oriented establishment, or the Travesía Náutica Xacobea, the only company distinguished as a tourist route.
Obtaining this quality emblem is a prize for the work, effort and professionalism of Galician tourist establishments, something that would be impossible without the involvement of the companies and their workers, as well as their agents and the clients themselves.
The Galician Tourism Agency and the Galicia Tourism Cluster also contribute to this commitment to quality through the agreement signed between the two parties to provide services and advice to companies in the sector interested in obtaining the “Q” label. The agreement signed during the year that is now ending for 630,000 euros and a duration of three years is a new example of public-private collaboration to achieve the common goal of consolidating Galicia as a tourist destination and quality. The Cluster’s commitment, as an entity that represents the majority of the Galician tourism sector, is to facilitate the implementation, dissemination and promotion of the Q for Tourism Quality mark. This agreement with Galicia Tourism Agency allows the Cluster to provide advice and support to Galician companies to renew or obtain the ICTE certification.
In addition, Galicia Tourism Agency announces annual grants (170,000 euros in 2022) to subsidise the costs of certification processes, monitoring and renewal or maintenance of the Q for Quality by tourist establishments in its many variants: from hotels, restaurants, campsites, conference centres to beaches and nightlife venues.