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In 2020 Valencia became the first city in the world to certify the carbon footprint of its tourist activity and the Sustainable Tourism Strategy for the city is committed to achieving carbonneutral tourism this year.
One exciting new venue opening this year is the Roig Arena, with a capacity for up to 13,000 attendees and an auditorium seating up to 750 people.
In 2027 the Nou Mestalla stadium will open, a symbol of modernity and renaissance in the city.
In the latest ICCA City Rankings Valencia – branded a city of arts and sciences – sits third in Spain with 51 qualifying congresses.
Another story of EU funding is the European Zentropy MICE project, an initiative to move congress tourism towards a more sustainable model. A plan will be developed at the Valencia Convention Center over four years, with the aim of promoting socioeconomic development and the city’ s green transition. Valencia was chosen – along with 21 other cities – by the European Commission to deploy the Zentropy MICE initiative with a budget of € 5.25m, 80 % co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund( ERDF).
Some heavy hitting association congresses in the Valancia pipeline include the European Congress on Medical Physics and the 9th World Congress on Vascular Access in 2026, the XXVI Congress of Veterinary Specialties of AVEPA-GTA in 2027 and the 17th International Congress of the International Radiological Protection Association in 2028.
Alicante, meanwhile, is hopeful of getting a Congress Centre. The Valencian Generalitat, Alicante City Council, and provincial Council have approved a € 100m Congress Centre( San Carlos project). However, construction is not likely to commence soon at Poniente dock, as obstaining permissions could stretch beyond 2026.
Benidorm, part of the Valencia region, has been busy in recent years promoting
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itself as a base for conferences and events. Visit Benidorm has brought in the Assembly of the Spain Convention Bureau, the M & I Forum, Iberian MICE Forum and the 35th OPC Spain Congress.
Benidorm boasts some of the most modern, high quality hotel infrastructure in the country.
Its history as a top hospitality destination means that there is a good pool of well trained professionals.
Benidorm and the wider Valencia region also offer an attractive environment for corporate events with a diverse offer of beaches, mountains and activities to appeal to a wide range of delegates.
Benidorm is also certified as a Smart Tourism Destination.
Meeting Seville style Andalucia’ s capital Seville is a treasure trove of Moorish, Christian and Jewish architecture and the iconic Alcázar palace and Seville Tower are big draws with visitors who can try on their dancing shoes with some Sevillanas or attend a flamenco workshop in the city after conference hours.
The FIBES Conference and Exhibition Centre has two main buildings occupying 50,000sqm and has hosted the MTV Music Awards and the Tourism Innovation Summit.
Another of the city’ s major venues is the Sevilla International Convention Centre. It is part of a complex including the five-star Barcelo Renacimiento Hotel, which features 295 renovated rooms.
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Right: ECAF conference in Valencia
Middle right: Bodegas la mezquita Domecq
Bottom right: Playa Lanzada,
Pontevedra
Below: Seville Plaza
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Other hotel gems include the Hotel Alfonso XIII, a Luxury Collection Hotel near the historic quarter of Santa Cruz. While the Hotel Silken Al-Andalus, has 600 rooms near the Plaza de España.
Córdoba: a UNESCO treasure Staying in the region, and Córdoba, is the only city in the world with four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and its Palacio de Congresos de Córdoba sits in a 16th-century building.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Mosque-Cathedral includes all the streets and buildings around it, while the city’ s Hospes Palacio del Bailío is a hotel featuring Roman baths and has 53 rooms and suites, as well as five meeting rooms.
Granada designs Another Andalusian city, Granada, also boasts rich heritage and stunning landscapes. The local airport was
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