On 6 November, the World Congress of Inland Tourism was presented in Cáceres, an event aimed at positioning the Iberian Peninsula as a unified destination for inland tourism, highlighting its cultural, historical, and natural richness. The congress, organised by the Iberian Association of Inland Tourism (AITI), will be held from 26 to 28 November at the San Francisco Cultural Complex and will bring together representatives from over 12 countries and the business sector, all interested in exploring a territory that, as AITI president Miguel Martins noted, “belongs to two countries but is one destination.”

During the presentation in Cáceres, Martins emphasised the importance of joining forces to “market two countries as one destination.” He asserted that the future of inland tourism on the Iberian Peninsula relies on effective collaboration, where communication and shared projects help reinforce this unified vision.

The event is supported by the Provincial Council of Cáceres, whose president, Miguel Ángel Morales, expressed the institution’s commitment to promoting Cáceres and its province. According to Morales, hosting this congress in the city is a unique opportunity to further Cáceres’s bid for the European Capital of Culture 2031.

An International Programme to Boost Inland Tourism

The congress will feature experts and academics from 42 universities worldwide, as well as economic and business representatives from multiple countries, who will explore the tourism potential of Extremadura and Beira Baixa. The lack of overcrowding in these destinations is one of their main attractions, a quality the organisers aim to highlight to attract tourists interested in authentic and sustainable experiences.

Among the scheduled activities is a fam trip (familiarisation trip) for tour operators, following a route based on the settings of the series House of the Dragon, passing through Monsanto, Malpartida de Cáceres, Cáceres and Trujillo.

Registrations Open

Those interested in attending the World Congress of Inland Tourism can register until 22 November via the official website: https://aitiweb.org/es/cmti2024/

From November 26 to 28, 2024, Cáceres will host the 1st World Congress on Inland Tourism, organised by the Iberian Association of Inland Tourism (AITI), at the San Francisco Cultural Complex. This congress will bring together more than 400 professionals from 15 countries, including tourism experts, tour operators, and academics. Over the course of three days, there will be round tables, workshops, and academic presentations, featuring the participation of 42 international universities.

The event will be key in positioning Extremadura as an alternative inland destination and will offer an opportunity for tour operators to showcase their businesses, promoting knowledge exchange and the creation of new business opportunities. Additionally, the congress will include a familiarisation trip to iconic destinations such as Cáceres, Trujillo, Malpartida, and Monsanto, under the appealing name “War of Thrones”, a new binational tourism product.

The Regional Minister for Culture, Tourism, Youth, and Sports of the Government of Extremadura, Victoria Bazaga, highlighted the event as an essential platform for assessing the challenges of the tourism sector and generating conclusions that can benefit the region. Meanwhile, the Vice President of the Provincial Council of Cáceres, Esther Gutiérrez, emphasised the congress’s importance for promoting Extremadura internationally, contributing to sustainable development, job creation, and population retention.

The president of AITI, Miguel Martins, pointed out that the main goal of the congress is to put inland territories on the global tourism map, noting that Cáceres has the capacity to host an event of this scale, on par with cities like Lisbon, Porto, or Madrid.

This congress is supported by the Extremadura Tourism Cluster, CETEX, FEXTUR, Turismo Centro Portugal, and Turexpo Galicia, reinforcing cross-border cooperation in tourism and underscoring the importance of working together to create a unified destination that transcends borders.

Yesterday in Badajoz, the Annual Meeting of Members of the Extremadura Tourism Cluster took place, along with the 9th CDT Innova Tourism Space, a key event for the region’s tourism sector. The event brought together business owners, professionals, and institutions to reflect on innovation and the development of new projects in the tourism field.

The day began with a presentation of completed European projects, such as CulTourData and Tourism 4.0, where several companies shared their experiences and best practices. Participating companies included Gran Hotel Don Manuel, Montijo Tour, Naturalmente, Inzulae, and Cata con Cati, who explained how these projects benefited them, the tools they used, and the results achieved.

Funding Opportunities and New Projects

Councillor Rubén Galea, in his speech during the event to tourism professionals and experts in innovation and smart tourism, encouraged the exchange of ideas for the development of the sector.

In turn, Jesús Viñuales, General Director of Tourism for the Government of Extremadura, highlighted the region’s progress as an alternative inland destination, a result of collaboration between institutions and business owners.

Ignacio Sáez de Santamaría, representing Caja Rural Extremadura, gave a talk on the financing options that his institution offers to promote tourism projects in the region.

New Projects

During the morning, new projects in which the cluster is involved were also presented, including the innovative Dancing Histor(y)ies and three new POCTEP projects: Red Cift, Ilumina, and Heprestone. Their objectives and the challenges they pose were outlined, inviting attendees to learn more about these initiatives.

Innovation, Technology, and Tourism: Presentations and Panels

The meeting continued with three presentations focused on innovation, technology, and tourism. Among the speakers were Antonio Blanco, Director of Silice, and Juanjo Rodríguez from Futura Vive, who addressed key topics for the future of the sector. Additionally, a panel discussion was held with Sonia González from Martural and Juanjo Cerezo from Extremadura Curiosa, who discussed the benefits of working with influencers and marketing agencies, highlighting their value for tourism promotion.

2024 Tourism Innovation Award

One of the most notable moments of the event was the presentation of the 2024 Tourism Innovation Award. This year, the award was given to Marta Bastos for her initiatives: Ad Astra Hervás, related to astrotourism, and “e-bikes Hervás”, offering bike rentals and routes. The award recognised her contribution to tourism in Extremadura and her innovative approach.

On 20th September 2024, the Technical Workshop on the Transfer of Results from the TUR-RETOS2022-028 Project will take place at the San Francisco Cultural Complex in Cáceres. The event aims to share the progress and conclusions of this important project related to tourism and innovation.

Event Programme:

On 17th September, the Extremadura Tourism Cluster will hold its traditional Annual CDT Innova Tourism Meeting. In its ninth edition, this key event for the region’s tourism sector will take place in the iconic Jardines de la Galera in Badajoz, starting at 10:00 a.m.

As in previous years, the CDT Innova Tourism Space will bring together professionals from the tourism sector, as well as experts in innovation and smart tourism, with the aim of providing a day of learning, reflection, and connection among the key players in tourism in Extremadura.

The event is designed for attendees to gain new insights into the latest trends in tourism innovation and to promote networking among professionals, creating opportunities for collaboration in a constantly evolving sector.

Registration and Prices:

Both members of the Extremadura Tourism Cluster and CETEX members can register for the event free of charge.

If you are NOT a member, there are two paid registration options to participate in the 9th Annual CDT Innova Tourism Meeting:

• €40: Includes breakfast and working lunch.
• €20: Includes working breakfast.

Both options offer full access to all morning presentations and activities, along with a great opportunity to network with other professionals during the breaks.

Below, you can view the full programme and access the registration form.

Payment Method

Bank transfer to the following account:

IBAN: ES35 3009 0063 5728 004 7829 CAJA RURAL EXTREMADURA

As a Supporting Partner of the Tourism Innovation Summit 2024 (TIS 2024), we are pleased to invite you to this global summit on innovation and technology in the travel and tourism sector, taking place in Seville from 23rd to 25th October 2024.

In an increasingly connected world, the tourism sector is undergoing a radical transformation thanks to the latest technologies. From travel planning to destination experiences, innovations such as mobile applications and augmented reality are reinventing every aspect of the industry. TIS 2024 positions itself as the epicentre of this revolutionary change.

Discover and Connect with the Latest Technological Trends

Join over 7,000 tourism professionals and explore the technological trends that are redefining the travel industry. TIS 2024 is the ideal platform to showcase your innovations, make valuable connections, and explore new business opportunities in a dynamic and collaborative environment.

Take Advantage of Our Exclusive 50% Discount!

As partners of TIS 2024, we offer you a unique opportunity: a 50% discount on GOLD and SILVER passes. When registering, benefit from this exclusive discount by applying the code US7H6.

How to Get the Discount?

To take advantage of this discount, simply visit the following link, where you will find all the information about pass types and the process to apply your discount:

TIS 2024 Tickets and Benefits

The Tourism Innovation Summit (TIS) 2024 has announced the call for entries for the prestigious Tourism Innovation Awards, which recognise the most innovative companies and professionals in the tourism sector. Applications are open until 6th September 2024, and organisations are invited to submit their entries or nominate their peers in various categories. These awards celebrate creativity and adaptability in a constantly evolving sector.

Award Categories

The awards include several key categories, such as:

• Best Customer Experience: Recognises initiatives that have significantly improved the customer experience.
• Best Digital Transformation: Awards companies that have implemented innovative digital solutions, transforming their operations.
• Sustainability Leadership: Highlights organisations that have made significant advances in sustainability and environmental responsibility within tourism.
• Most Innovative Start-Up: Aimed at startups that have introduced groundbreaking ideas in the industry.
• Best Strategy to Rebuild Post-COVID: Recognises the most effective strategies for recovering from the impact of the pandemic.

The winners will be announced during TIS 2024, which will take place in Seville from 29th to 31st October. This event is a unique opportunity for industry leaders to share their experiences, explore new ideas, and prepare for the future of tourism.

How to Participate

To participate, interested companies and professionals must complete the online registration form before the deadline. Applications will be evaluated by a panel of experts in tourism, innovation, and technology, who will select the winners based on their impact, creativity, and relevance.

TIS 2024 promises to be a gathering place for visionaries in the sector, and the Tourism Innovation Awards are an opportunity to highlight those leading the way towards a more innovative and sustainable future for tourism.

For more information on how to submit an application or nominate a colleague, visit the official TIS website.

The Extremadura Tourism Cluster is pleased to express our satisfaction with the selection of Cáceres as the host city for the 5th TURESPAÑA Convention in 2025. This event, presented by the Department of Culture, Tourism, Youth, and Sports of the Government of Extremadura, will not only benefit the city but also bring greater visibility to the entire region.

Cáceres joins the select group of previous host cities such as Seville, Barcelona, Donostia-San Sebastián, and Tenerife, being the first time it is held in an inland destination, in line with TURESPAÑA’s Strategic Marketing Plan. This selection once again highlights that Cáceres is on par with these important destinations, standing out for its rich heritage and culture. The hosting of the convention is further proof of Cáceres’ appeal and its capacity to host events of such magnitude.

The TURESPAÑA Convention, organised in collaboration with the Government of Extremadura and the City Council of Cáceres, will bring together industry professionals for three days of presentations, debates, and workshops focused on innovation, sustainability, and tourism promotion.

This event will not only boost tourism in the city and the region, but it will also have a significant economic impact by attracting numerous visitors and professionals who will have the opportunity to discover the wonders of Extremadura.

Our partner Atakama, represented by its CEO, Rocío Montero, has emphasised the importance of the Alcántara Classical Theatre Festival, which begins this Monday. Montero highlighted the event not only as a top-tier cultural reference but also as a significant driver of the local economy. According to her, the festival attracts thousands of visitors, leading to a notable increase in economic activity in the region.

Boost to the Local Economy

During the festival, sectors such as hospitality, retail, and tourism experience remarkable growth. Local hotels, restaurants, and shops see an increase in revenue thanks to the influx of tourists and event attendees. This economic impact translates into more job opportunities and development for the residents of Alcántara.

Promotion of Tourism and Culture

The Classical Theatre Festival not only offers a high-quality artistic programme but also highlights the historical and cultural heritage of Alcántara. The combination of art and economy demonstrates how events like this can revitalise and positively transform local communities.

Statements by Rocío Montero

Montero emphasised that the success of the festival lies in the community’s ability to organise an event that attracts both theatre enthusiasts and tourists interested in the region’s cultural richness. “The Alcántara Classical Theatre Festival is not only a cultural benchmark but also an essential driver of the local economy,” she stated.

For more information, read the full article on COPE Extremadura.