16 Jan 2023
The Spanish Tourist Office in the UK provides the latest tourism updates from around Spain and the Spanish islands. From cultural attractions to new sustainable initiatives and sporting events.
CULTURE & ART
In 2023, Spain celebrates the legacies of some of its most renowned artists.
PICASSO
2023 marks 50 years since the death of Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. To celebrate his creativity and the influence his works have had on the artistic heritage in Spain, at least 16 exhibitions will be held throughout Spanish cities including Madrid, Malaga, Barcelona, A Coruña and Bilbao. These exhibitions will highlight the artistic trajectory of Picasso throughout Spain and how his works were inspired by each region.
50 years since death of Picasso
SOROLLA
2023 marks the 100th anniversary of the death of Joaquín Sorolla, Valencia's most renowned impressionist painter who captured the light of the Mediterranean in his works.
The Museum of Fine Arts of Valencia has permanent exhibitions of his work such as "Grupa valenciana" and "Figuras de casacas jugando en un jardín". In addition to these, an immersive display entitled "Sorolla a través de la luz" will showcase some of his rarely exhibited pieces.
DOMENECH I MONTANER
In 2023, Barcelona will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the death of renowned Catalan Modernista architect, Domenech i Montaner. Domenech created works across Barcelona including the Palau de la Musica, Casa Lleó i Morera, Hospital Sant Pau, as well as various lesser-known buildings. The department of culture of the Generalitat de Catalunya formed the committee 'Taula Lluís Domènech i Montaner', which will be holding events and exhibitions to showcase the work he left behind and the influence he had on Modernista heritage. Barcelona Turisme has produced a leaflet to show the self-guided Domenech Modernista walking routes that are available in the city. Alternatively, there are guided tours on offer.
Domenech I Montaner anniversary
MIRÓ
2023 marks the 40th anniversary of the death of Joan Miró, the pioneering abstract and Surrealist painter. Miró chose to live in Palma de Mallorca, a city with a rich artistic heritage, from 1956 up until his death in 1983. The city has recently celebrated the reopening of the Moneo Building at the Miró Mallorca Foundation, the museum which honours the life and works of the artist. Visitors to the cultural capital of the Balearic Islands can now enjoy the new 'Espai Estrella' exhibition space, which showcases Miró's methods during his time at Son Boter, which today forms part of the Foundation. Miró's work can also be enjoyed at the Joan Miró Foundation in Barcelona.
DALÍ'S FAMILY HOME TO OPEN TO VISITORS IN 2023
Salvador Dalí's family home, located in Figueres, Catalonia, will open to visitors in Spring 2023. Dalí was the master of Surrealism and one of the most important artists of the 20th century. The Dalí family lived on the me zzanine floor of a property located on Carrer de Monturiol and his father had his notary's office on the ground floor. Improvements to the space are currently being carried out and it will open to visitors in Spring 2023.
Salvador Dalí's family home opens to visitors
GUADIX TO HOST EVENT TO CELEBRATE THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FILMING OF 'INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE'
The Guadix Tourism Board is hosting an exhibition to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the shooting of the film "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade". The train station in the city of Guadix was the setting for part of the film. The exhibition will take place during the last week of May until the first week of June 2023. It will include film workshops for children, demonstrations of how Indiana Jones used his whip, a concert with soundtracks from the movie as well as a special showing of the film.
SEVILLE TO HOST THE 37TH GOYA AWARDS CEREMONY
Seville has been designated as the official venue of the 37th Goya Awards in 2023 by the Board of Directors of the Film Academy. Andalucía has an increasingly relevant audio-visual industry and the Goya Awards will boost Seville's position as a city of international cultural interest. Before the ceremony takes place, the city will host a number of events including exhibitions, screenings and actor and director Q&As. The event will take place February 11, 2023.
SPAIN AWARDED 47 NEW MICHELIN STARS, INCLUDING 13 GREEN MICHELIN STARS
In total, the Michelin Guide 2023 has 1,226 restaurants across Spain. Two restaurants in Spain, Restaurants Atrio in Cáceres and Cocina Hermanos Torres in Barcelona, have recently received a third Michellin star. This brings the total number of restaurants in Spain with three Michelin stars to 13. Also, during the awards, three restaurants were given a second Michelin star and 29 restaurants received their first ever Michelin star. Barcelona and Madrid were the cities with the most new stars awarded. The number of green stars for sustainable gastronomy in Spain continues to grow, with 13 new stars awarded throughout the country.
SUSTAINABILITY
SEVILLE: EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF SMART TOURISM 2023
The city of Seville has been named the European Capital of Smart Tourism by the European Commission alongside Paphos (Cyprus). The tourism model used by Seville's Smart Tourism Office is included in the European body's mission of '100 smart and climate-neutral cities by 2030'.
Seville is working on urban planning and digitalisation plans, as well as promoting sustainable tourism, through ambitious projects such as a scheme that will measure the flow of tourists in the most visited areas of the city. The system, currently being tested in the popular Barrio de Santa Cruz, will use thousands of data readings to allow for real-time decision making to redirect tourist flows to other areas to combat overcrowding.
Seville Capital of European Tourism
PARADORES EXTENDS NATURE-BASED PROJECT TO ALMAGRO AND MANZANARES
Paradores, Spain's state-owned group of luxury hotels offering stays in historic properties in areas of natural beauty, is extending its nature-based project, “Naturaleza para los sentidos”, to include Parador Almagro and Parador Manzanares, both located in La Mancha.
The project aims to revitalise rural areas and amplify opportunities for sustainable development, as well as promote economic and social growth to surrounding areas, giving travellers the opportunity to discover the local traditions, culture and environmental diversity.
A number of experiences have been made available at both Paradors; a workshop on how to cultivate pistachios and olives and uncover their health benefits with a tasting included; A visit to an eco-friendly farm, that houses the Castilian black hen, to learn about the importance of conserving the species, which is currently in danger of extinction; A wine tour that highlights the link between the product and nature and includes a tasting of artisan wines and regional tapas.
The nature-based project has already supported the introduction of activities at the Parador Cangas de Onís, Bielsa, Villafranca del Bierzo, Gredos and Mazagón, each offering a unique range of activities. Nature for the Senses | Paradores
LAUNCH OF THE NATURAL SPACES CAMPAIGN
The Global Nature Foundation, Europarc Spain and the Ecotourism Association of Spain, have partnered to create a social awareness campaign about Spain's protected areas. Spain has the largest number of protected areas in Europe and the largest number of Biosphere Reserves in the world. The aim of the campaign is to ensure that these natural areas are well maintained, as well as promoting ecotourism as a tool for conserving biodiversity and contributing to local development through increasing the understanding of the importance of natural and cultural heritage.
BALEARIC ISLANDS REVEAL LATEST SUSTAINABLE INTIATIVES ON THE ARCHIPELAGO
Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera have shared their latest initiatives to reach their ambitious sustainable objectives. Formentera is implementing electric vehicle charging stations and limiting tourist beds on the island whilst Ibiza is equipping its beaches with capacity sensors and water quality measuring buoys. This information will be available for visitors via a new app. Menorca which celebrates 30 years of UNESCO Biosphere Reserve recognition in 2023, has highlighted the development of stargazing and active tourism on the island, available throughout the year. In an effort to facilitate tourism for visitors with disabilities, Mallorca has also created an Accessible Mallorca Guide.
SPORT
TENERIFE ADDS NEW RUNNING ROUTE TO BLUETRAIL
Three new running routes have been added to the Tenerife Bluetrail race for 2023. Organised by the Tenerife Island Government, the Tenerife Bluetrail is the island's most popular long-distance mountain race, starting at sea level and climbing up to 3,500 metres. As Spain's highest and Europe's second highest running race, the Tenerife Bluetrail attracts the best athletes from all over the world. Runners from more than 30 countries have competed in previous editions of the race.
The addition of new categories aims to make the race more inclusive than ever before. The 2023 edition will welcome families, children and Joëlettes – special chairs adapted for athletes with reduced mobility.
TRANSPORT
RENFE LAUNCHES NEW PLATFORM, DOCO, FOR TRAVELLING AROUND SPAIN
Spain's national rail operator, Renfe, has launched a new platform, Dōcō, which will offer door to door transport services and allow visitors to use different public and private transport on the same app. The platform will allow visitors to travel by train, taxi and scooter, offering the possibility of planning, reserving, monitoring and paying for the trip from the app.
Dōcō will connect over 200 destinations, with 6,000 two-wheeled vehicles available to book in seven major cities and more than 30,000 taxis and rental cars listed on the platform in more than 50. It will also incorporate the company Bolt onto the platform which has a total of more than 10,000 drivers.
OTHER
NEW INTELLIGENT DESTINATION PLATFORM BASED IN BENIDORM
Benidorm will house the headquarters of the future Intelligent Destination Platform. The centre will be in the facilities of the Valencian Institute of Tourism Technologies (INVAT TUR). The new programme, launched at the end of October, aims to be of crucial assistance in transforming quality destinations and the tourism sector by facilitating access to digital solutions and technologies.
Reyes Maroto, the minister for industry, commerce and tourism, said the aim was to “digitally connect destinations with tourists and, in turn, with companies, in such a way that a unique tourism intelligence system is generated which places us at the forefront of tourism competitiveness”.
Images are available here.
-ENDS-
For more information on Spain as a visitor destination, please visit www.spain.info or contact Spain@wearelotus.co.uk
