"Smart tourist destinations will be key in re-launching tourism in our country", says Reyes Maroto

The role of municipalities will be fundamental in promoting and guaranteeing smart and safe tourism, and they will play a leading role in the re-launch of a key sector, both due to its economic weighting and its contribution to social and territorial cohesion", stated Reyes Maroto in her speech.

The minister announced the creation of a new knowledge model to provide municipalities with elements to take decisions on tourism policy. "We want to better know the characteristics of the productive fabric that makes up the Spanish tourism offer and identify social trends that affect the behaviour of travellers, to be a step ahead of any changes in demand".

Incorporation of 16 new destinations

The Executive Committee has approved the incorporation of 16 new destinations, bringing the total number of members of the Network to 121 (88 are destinations, 16 are institutional members and 16 are collaborating companies).

The destinations incorporated into the network on Wednesday are: the local councils of Badajoz, Burgos, Cangas de Onís, Cullera, El Campello, Gijón, Guadalajara, Puebla de Sanabria, Puerto del Rosario, Rota, Vitoria-Gasteiz and Bollullos de la Mitación; the provincial councils of Ciudad Real and Lugo; and the districts of Campo de Gibraltar and Canal de Navarrés.

Wednesday's video-conference was attended by the State Secretary for Tourism, Isabel Oliver, the President of SEGITTUR, Enrique Martínez, the Director-General of Red.es, David Cierco, and the Secretary-General of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), Carlos Daniel Casares.

Actions by Red DTI

Enrique Martínez explained that, as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, work is being done to improve and adapt the diagnostic methodology of Smart Tourist Destinations and the recommendations under the Action Plan, with the aim of including questions linked to the future, such as communications actions, the repositioning of markets and job support.

In addition, a training plan for its members is being designed, focused on digital tools, hygiene matters, the analysis of segments and analytical capacities, which will allow the capabilities in the post-COVID-19 environment to be strengthened. Over recent weeks, a "Red DTI COVID-19" channel has been set up on Padlet to share information and good practices, and webinars and tutorials have been organised, among other actions.

About Red DTI

Red DTI, set up on 27 February 2019, seeks to promote a new framework of reference to consolidate the competitiveness of the Spanish tourism model. The Executive Committee is chaired by the State Secretary for Tourism and has three vice-presidencies: an organisational vice-presidency headed up by the President of SEGITTUR, and two institutional vice-presidencies, held by FEMP and Red.es, as well as eight members represented by eight destinations - Benidorm, Calviá, Pontevedra, Arona, Palencia, Avilés and San Bartolomé de Tirajana and San Sebastián-Donostia.

Non official translation