Barcelona is committed to quality tourism
Mayor Collboni emphasised that the city is doing well from an economic point of view and has a strong international projection.
The Barcelona Tourism Consortium held its annual convention where it put forward a tourism model for the capital of Catalonia that is geared towards excellence, prevents the negative consequences of overcrowding, while being a catalyst for the city's transformation.
On 10th June, the Barcelona Tourism Consortium held its annual “What’s Next” convention at the Gran Melià Hotel in Barcelona. The event, attended by nearly 700 people including institutions, companies, and representatives of the visitor economy, was inaugurated by Jordi Hereu, Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jaume Collboni, Mayor of Barcelona and President of the Barcelona Tourism General Council.
Mayor Collboni emphasised that the city is doing well from an economic point of view and has a strong international projection. Recent recognitions such as the world’s best restaurant, the best cocktail bar, and the best market in Barcelona, along with ongoing projects and the upcoming America’s Cup sailing competition, are strengthening the city’s “image of excellence”, “first and foremost for all the citizens of Barcelona as well as anyone who wants to share it with us”, asserted Collboni.
Attracting quality tourism
The Barcelona Tourism Consortium is committed to prioritising visitor quality. In this regard, the mayor stressed the importance of prioritising quality over quantity. He also expressed the firm intention of the Barcelona City Council to act to “prevent the negative consequences of tourist overcrowding”. “Barcelona has the tools to regulate the tourism offer and attract the visitors that interest us the most”, the mayor stated, citing, by way of example, the new municipal plan to manage tourism and the Areas of Great Affluence (EGA).
Jordi Clos, President of the Executive Committee of Barcelona Tourism, took part in a colloquium with the President of Melià Hotels Internacional, Gabriel Escarrer, on the transformation of urban tourism towards experiential tourism. Clos encouraged the city to restore pride in its tourism success as a driver of the city’s transformation.
