Andalusia’s second vice-president and regional minister for Tourism, Justice, Deregulation and Local Administration, Manuel Gavira, chaired the 22nd Andalucía Tourism Awards ceremony in Huelva. He congratulated the recipients and said that “excellence is never improvised.” The awards recognise work connected with the development and profile of tourism in the region.
Gavira said tourism was important to Andalusia’s economy and described it as “one of Andalusia’s great allies, not its enemy.” He also said the administration “should make it easier for those who comply with the rules to work, rather than continually adding new difficulties.” He thanked the 21 finalists across the seven award categories, saying their daily work helped make Andalusia a global tourism reference.
The Council of Tourism Business of the Confederation of Andalusian Entrepreneurs received the award for excellence in tourism by an institution, association or foundation. Carlos José Guirao de Toro, director and manager of Hotel Condestable Iranzo and president of TurJaén, was named tourism-sector professional. The April Fair of Seville received the Andalucía ambassador award.
Priego de Córdoba won the award for an outstanding inland tourist destination, while Torremolinos City Council in Málaga province won in the coastal destination category. The sustainable tourism initiative award went to Agrícola El Bosque SL-La Canastita, based in Huelva province. Manuel Otero Alvarado of Seville’s Hotel Inglaterra received the award for a career in the tourism business.
The ceremony featured performances by Huelva-born flamenco singer Pitingo and singer-songwriter Marta Soto, also from the province. Singer, songwriter and actor Rocío Pérez, known as Roko, and pianist and music-experience creator Alberto de Paz presented the event.