On World Tourism Day, Special Mention to Toni Mayor for his contribution to the tourism industry
Benidorm recognizes the role of RTVE, Alaska, Máximo Huerta and Don Pancho hotel in the projection of its brand
The mayor vindicates the tourism industry as a generator and redistributor of wealth, and reaffirms the destination's commitment to environmental, social and economic sustainability.
On the occasion of the celebration of World Tourism Day, Benidorm has recognized the role of RTVE, Alaska, Máximo Huerta and Don Pacho hotel in the projection of its tourism brand. In an act held in the Assembly Hall of the City Council, the contribution to the local tourism industry of the president of Hosbec and general manager of Port Hotels, Toni Mayor, who received the Special Mention of these awards, was also recognized.
The event, chaired by the mayor, Toni Pérez, was attended by, among others, the general director of Tourism, Herick Campos; the director of the Costa Blanca Tourist Board, José Mancebo; the Provincial Deputy for Architecture, José Ramón González de Zárate; members of the Municipal Corporation; the manager of Visit Benidorm, Leire Bilbao; and the general secretary of Hosbec, Nuria Montes.
On the day dedicated to the main industry of the city, the mayor stressed the "social, cultural, economic and also political value of Tourism", whose "importance and need" have been "clear, more than ever, since the irruption of the pandemic." After assuring that tourism is "an activity whose purpose is to transform dreams and desires into realities of leisure and enjoyment that generate happiness", Toni Pérez has insisted on the potential of this industry to "generate and redistribute wealth"; and he has reaffirmed Benidorm's commitment to "sustainability" from all its perspectives: environmental, social and economic.
In addition, he pointed out that "tourism is also a fundamental driver of the green economy, the blue economy and the digital economy", and added that "we are on the path of a regenerative, smarter and safer tourism".
The delivery of the Tourism Awards 'City of Benidorm' has focused on the commemorative act of World Tourism Day. The Don Pancho hotel, in the hands of Alejandro Torrubia, has been the first to receive its award, in the Regional/Local category, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of its opening.
When collecting the award, Torrubia recalled how this family establishment was forged, launched by "five brothers who adored Benidorm, who wanted to leave their grain of sand in their town and bet on it". An establishment, he has assured, that "has its own soul" and that "will always be Benidorm's heritage"; and of which the mayor has indicated that it is "an emblem of the hospitality, quality and attention offered" by the city and a reflection of "what our hotel sector is a well-worked industry."
Immediately afterwards, the 'City of Benidorm' Tourism Award was presented in the National category, which on this occasion went to the artist Olvido Gara -better known as Alaska- and to the writer and presenter Máximo Huerta.
The first, which due to agenda issues could not be in Benidorm today, has participated in the event through a video in which it has thanked this award that comes from the hands of "one of my favourite cities in the world". Alaska has pointed out that this award is "for all those times that I have Benidorm in my head, in my heart, in the lyrics of my songs and on the covers of my albums"; and she has congratulated the rest of the winners affirming that “together we form a wonderful image of a wonderful city”.
After collecting his award, Máximo Huerta stressed that “Benidorm is a happy city” and in which “you feel that nothing bad can happen to you”. After indicating that "I love and defend this city wherever I go", he evoked his visits to Benidorm to see his family and how "that boy who bathed on its beaches" did not imagine at that time that one day he would receive this award and participate in a project like the Benidorm Fest.
Toni Pérez has highlighted that both Alaska and Máximo Huerta "are great prescribers of Benidorm", and has extolled the "incalculable added value" that two people with their public, media and social media projection represent for the destination, speaking with so much " love” of the city.
María Eizaguirre, director of Communication and Participation of RTVE, has been in charge of collecting the 'City of Benidorm' Tourism Award in the International category. An award that comes in recognition of "the international projection of Benidorm and Benidorm Fest through the Eurovision Song Contest 2022". Eizaguirre has conveyed that this award is "for all the workers of RTVE" for "the work, dedication and passion" put into the Benidorm Fest; and she has extended it to the group of artists who participated in the first edition.
In addition to dedicating the award "to all euro fans", he stated that the Benidorm Fest is "a great opportunity" to "promote musical talent", and added that artists have "160 million reasons to show up" at the event, as many as viewers have Eurovision.
For his part, the mayor has praised "the alliance" sealed with RTVE on the occasion of the Benidorm Fest for "how much and good it has brought us" this festival, which through Eurovision has projected "the Benidorm brand in Europe and in the world” as “rarely has it happened”.
During the act, the Special Mention of these awards was also delivered to Toni Mayor. A few weeks after leaving the presidency of Hosbec after 14 years at the head of the employers' association, Mayor emphasized that "Benidorm must continue to be the spearhead of the tourist avant-garde" and "maintain its tourist power", and has claimed for the city infrastructures still pending such as “a connection with the AVE”. He has also highlighted the work done by "the tourism sector and the City Council" for "updating" and "transforming" the destination; and he has assured that it is "an honour" to receive this recognition from the city "where I was born", in which he has developed "a large part of my business life" and "all the family".
Of Toni Mayor, the mayor has assured that "he is a business reference" and also "a prophet in his land"; a man from Benidorm who has his town “in his heart” and a “very brave” man who “has always been there to stand up for the city”.
SICTED AWARS
As usual, during the World Tourism Day event, the SICTED distinctions were awarded that recognize the commitment to quality and continuous improvement and were promoted by the Secretary of State for Tourism. Today, 28 Benidorm companies have received this distinction, five of them for the first time.
These distinctions have been for: Hotel La Era Park, Tao, Base Agir Sport, Hotel RH Royal, Hotel RH Victoria, Acronautics, Hotel Alameda, Gran Hotel Bali, La Estación Hotel, Gastrohotel RH Canfali, Hotel RH Sol, Aqua Natura Benidorm, Terra Natura Benidorm, Agua Azul Hotel, Aquasport Benidorm, Buceo Nisos Benidorm, Diving Stones Diving Center, Benidorm Paraíso, Revolution Dive, Benidorm Marine, Low Travel, Specsavers Ópticas Benidorm, Apart 2000 Service, Camping Villamar, Apartamentos Nicaragua, Livenow Travel, Juan Llompart Espí and Bingo Plaza
