Tourism highlights the importance of digitization for the growth and promotion sector in Almanzora

Vicente Garcia Egea was the territorial delegate for Tourism of the Board of Almeria. Today's meeting was held in Olula Del Rio with representatives of municipalities in the Almanzora area that have received aid from the Juan Marin council for the implementation of technologies within municipal tourist resources (Munitic). In this instance, a total of 170,000 euros was allocated to the region. These grants were awarded on a competitive basis and totaled more than 700,000.00 euros for the whole province.

Garcia Egea has called attention to the "impulse” that new technologies offer for the enhancement and preservation of the ethnographic cultural, monumental, religious, or industrial heritage in this region of the province and, specifically, the municipalities Olula del Rio and Macael.

"In these months, we have seen digitization as key to the growth momentum and momentum in this sector, which was particularly hard hit by coronavirus crisis. Juan Marin, the head of the department, pointed out that we are trying to offer municipalities the opportunity to develop projects that encourage and apply these tools.

Delegate highlighted "very interesting" work done in this area by Valle del Almanzora Association of Tourism Entrepreneurs. He also stated that "more resources" are needed to "strengthen the ones we have". The aid awarded to the municipalities will enable "better developed web pages, 360o video, mobile apps, and electronic devices that will facilitate accessibility for tourists and visitors.

He has advocated for inland tourism and a joint offering in the Almanzora Valley, to create a "powerful tourist destination" that combines all the resources from the various localities. He explained that all of the local towns have valuable things to offer and can be sold individually. But, if they are combined, it increases their value because the tourist product is able to bring together all of the resources.

Garcia Egea also mentioned Macael's potential and its natural stone quarries or the mining heritage in Arboleas, Seron. He noted that although each has its own unique identity, they all make for a more appealing product when combined.

Delegate also mentioned transversal projects like the "connecting with Murcia" spirituality route, which in Albox and its Sanctuary of El Saliente has been one of its great milestones as being "a pilgrimage benchmark, and the one that goes the extra mile to improve accessibility, signage, and information>>

Purchena was highlighted by him as "a great distinguishing element" and "sign of identity". He also pointed out the need "to value them as the municipality’s own brand and the entire region>>, as well as Sufli's gastronomy and its unsurpassed fritada>>.

"We must be conscious that we need to create a regional tourism destination because strength lies in uniting and we have the ability to be generous when considering that when we invest in a product launch, the whole region benefits since it is complemented with hotels, restaurants, or trails." He stated to conclude that "the success of inland tourist destinations that deserve so much will come through regionalization and sustainable growth as a post-pandemic chance".

Antonio Martinez, Olula del Ri mayor, expressed gratitude for the ministry's "very important" investments in tourism promotion in the Almanzora Valley to create wealth and jobs. He added, "This regional environment is clear example that there are many places to visit; the City of Culture and the quarries, mines, watchtowers or gastronomic references. They must be united so there is a future."