España/Spain / Comunidad Valenciana / SWOP / Strengths
 
Comunidad Valenciana
 

  • How would you define your region's tourism potential ?
    The Region of Valencia currently receives 5 million tourists non-resident in Spain, and around 5.5 millions tourist visits by residents in Spain. Major developments are under way in communications infrastructures, in addition to service and equipment facilities, which still allow possibilities for growth to exist, although there has been a decisive commitment with quality and with achieving a model of tourism that is sustainable over time and is respectful with existing resources.
  • Does the geographical and/or historical specificities of your region offer potential for certain forms of tourism?
    Yes. CULTURAL: The Region of Valencia has a considerable cultural legacy, in particular four resources classified by UNESCO as World Heritage (Rock-Art of the Mediterranean Basin, Lonja de Valencia, Palmeral of Elx and the Mystery Play in Elx (immaterial), plus other resources presented as candidates such as the dinosaur footprints in Valencian territory and the historic Tribunal de las Aguas in Valencia. With an eventful history dating back thousands of years, these lands have been culturally influenced by Iberians, Romans, Visigoths, Muslims and Christians in different periods, reflected in a wealth of monuments in artistic styles rangin from Gothic, renaissance and Baroque to Modernist, including the most contemporary art that can be found in cities and towns. ECO-TOURISM: One of the most attractive resources are natural areas. Nowadays, there are about 125.000 Ha in 17 natural parks.

    Bellow are listed natural protected areas:

    Wetlands
    Prat de Cabanés-Torreblanca
    L'Albufera de Valencia
    Marjal de Pego-Oliva
    Lagunas de la Mata-Torrevieja
    El Hondo de Elx
    Las Salinas de Santa Pola Islands:
    Islas Columbretes Coastal mountain ranges
    Sierra de Irta
    El Montgó
    Peñón de Ifach
    Serra Gelada
    Sierras Interiores:
    Desert de les Palmes
    Sierra de Espadán
    Sierra Calderona
    Carrascar de la Font Roja
    Hoces del Cabriel .

    These natural parks are part of the Natura 2000 network. Additionally, the RED NATURA 2000 project aims to develop a network of natural areas connected with each other by bio-passages. This natural protected net disposes among others of visitor centres, routes and trails, etc. In the Region of Valencia there are also other types of protected areas which belong to the Red Natura 2000, such as LICs (100 Places of Common Interest) and ZEPAs (18 protected areas for Birds), and also the so called 'microreserves', which are 202 zones of small size (less than 20 ha.) of great biodiversity. SUN AND BEACHES: The Region of Valencia has exceptional conditions for offering holiday tourism, in particular beach tourism. With nearly 3,000 sunlight hours per year and an average maximum temperature of about 27 degrees and minimums of around 12 degrees, climatic conditions are ideal for tourism. Additionally, over 500 kilometres of coastline with a large number of marinas and beaches boasting more than 100 blue flags, which overall gives an idea of the local tourist product. RURAL AND NATURE TOURISM: Most of Valencia's territory is devoted to agriculture. A broad network of small, rural municipalities spreads over the whole territory, among the numerous valleys that exist in the territory's interior. This has given rise to the significant development of the rural tourism, whose first stage has been recovering many homes, abandoned due to emigration, for tourist use. At present, a second development stage is under way for this product. So much so that, in recent years, new rural tourism establishments have grown from just surpassing 700 bed spaces in 1996 to almost 8,000 at the present time. In addition to the 10,000 bed spaces in hotels and camp sites in these areas LEISURE & THEME PARKS At the forefront of leisure, visitors can discover the emblematic Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias in Valencia, relax with programme of Cultural Castellón, have unforgettable experiences in the Terra Mítica theme park, or wildlife in Terra Natura in Benidorm, follow the most decisive tests in the Ricardo Tormo Race Track in Cheste or attend performances in the Ciudad de las Artes Escénicas in Sagunto and the filming of series and movies in the Ciudad de la Luz in Alicante. SPORTS The Region of Valencia is a magnificent setting for all kinds of outdoor sports and it has a large number of modern, well-equipped facilities. Sailing along the coast and anchoring at nautical clubs; playing golf at any of the 21 courses with an unbeatable climate; exploring the mountains and valleys of the interior in search of excitement and risk; flying at a height of more than 1,000 feet and seeing the Region of Valencia from a bird's eye view or observing the spectacular natural reserves of sea beds , are just a few examples of the diversity of activities to stay in shape and enjoy your stay. The city of Valencia has also been chosen as venue for the 32nd America's Cup, in 2007, one of the oldest and most prestigious sporting competitions in the world. HEALTH TOURISM Spas have a long tradition and within the scope of tourism, modernized services and equipment, adapted to the new requirements of demand, these establishments have been transformed into the main reference of a new product, health tourism, which includes the search for well-being and relaxation in all aspects, to better deal with the stress of everyday life. The new SPA (water health) offer that has grown up in the Region of Valencia in recent years is ready to attend to all visitors' needs and requirements. This offer is basically provided by four and five-star hotel establishments, which combine their offer of excellent accommodation with services of anti-stress and body-care treatment.
  • What does your region do about that?
    Natural, historical and cultural resources are an major basis for tourist products which the Region of Valencia is currently offering (except specific ones such as golf, conferences, etc.), These products are sun and beach, rural tourism, nature tourism, cultural tourism, urban tourism, congresses and conventions tourism, golf, nautical tourism, health tourism, theme-based leisure tourism.
  • What tourism infrastructures and facilities does your region offer?
    619 hotels; 103,878 beds 190 hostels; 6.395 beds 133 camp sites; 71,172 places 31.972 tourist apartments; 138,120 bed-spaces 730 rural homes; 7,243 bed-spaces 117 tourist information offices 10.321 restaurants with 706,692 891 recreation areas on beaches and in inland natural sites 334 museums 1.102 sites of tourist and cultural interest 17 natural parks with around 130,000 protected hectares: - 6 Wetlands (over 32,000 H.) - 1 Islands (12,306 H.) - 4 Coastal mountain ranges (over 15.000 H.) - 6 Inland mountain ranges (over 66,000 ha.) - 3 marine reserves 3 theme parks 1 oceanographic park 1 race track 4 conference centres 22 golf courses 18 marinas 6 spa establishments

 
 
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