Spain: success of the VII International Congress on Tourism Quality and Sustainability

15-06-24

Within the framework of the VII International Congress on Tourism Quality and Sustainability, held in the Andalusian city of Jerez (Cadiz), the Institute for Spanish Tourism Quality and Sustainability (ICTES) presented the Jerez Declaration. This document, the result of intense debates and working groups, establishes a roadmap for the Spanish tourism sector over the next decade, focusing on planning, quality, sustainability and rigorous data analysis.

During the closing of the congress, ICTES president Miguel Mirones highlighted the importance of these pillars and stressed the need to clarify the concepts of tourist, visitor and traveler. "The Jerez Declaration is a request for listening and collaboration, and contains some fundamental words: planning, quality, sustainability and rigorous data analysis," said Mirones. He also highlighted that all the important issues were addressed at the discussion tables, giving a voice to all the parties involved, including business associations, public administrations, representatives of civil society, professional associations, trade unions and universities.

Mirones also stressed that Andalusia is developing a model of co-governance in tourism management that is being highly valued throughout Spain. In turn, he asked the president of the Junta de Andalucía, Juanma Moreno, to take into account the Declaration of Jerez to work around the four axes mentioned.

In her speech, the Secretary of State for Tourism, Rosario Sánchez, congratulated ICTES for organizing the congress and stated that "we all understand that quality and sustainability are fundamental pillars. It is a factor of accountability to society and also a factor of competitiveness." Sánchez stressed the importance of sustainability not being just an empty word and advocated working with the same rigor and detail that has historically been applied to quality certificates.

The president of the Junta de Andalucía, Juanma Moreno, added that "Andalusia knows this industry and we take care of it, we pamper it, taking measures and listening to the sector. Because tourism must also be an ally of welfare." Moreno also insisted on the need to design plans against tourist overcrowding to ensure long-term sustainable development.

Mirones announced that ICTES will work for the 'S' for sustainability to become an ISO standard, highlighting the need for an agreement with the Secretary of State for Tourism to maintain leadership in sustainability, as has already been done in quality.

The Jerez Declaration, which will be presented in its entirety in the coming days, will outline how the Spanish tourism sector can work together to ensure sustainable and high quality development in the coming years. This declaration seeks not only to guide tourism policies, but also to promote a national promotional campaign in collaboration with the Autonomous Communities to improve the image of tourism and highlight that "those of us who work in this industry seek people's happiness. Tourism is the solution and not the problem," concluded Mirones.