Spain: 10 new Festivals of National and International Tourist Interest recognised - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

Madrid hosted a special ceremony today to honour ten local celebrations newly designated as Fiestas of National and International Tourist Interest. These honorary titles, awarded by the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, highlight festivals of notable cultural value, deep-rooted folk traditions, and strong appeal for visitors. Minister of Industry and Tourism Jordi Hereu presided over the event at the Teatro Real, held in the lead-up to World Tourism Day on 27 September.

A boost for destinations and cultural tourism

With the new additions – six at the national level and four at the international level – Spain now officially recognises 164 Festivals of National Tourist Interest and 86 of International Tourist Interest. Attending the ceremony were mayors and councillors of the recognised municipalities, regional tourism directors, festival associations, and Secretary of State for Tourism Rosario Sánchez.

Minister Jordi Hereu underlined the importance of these awards in strengthening Spain’s international profile:

“These distinctions represent a significant improvement in quality for our destinations. They not only contribute to promoting Spain abroad but also help to diversify and reduce the seasonality of tourism, particularly by boosting cultural and inland travel.”

Rosario Sánchez praised the dedication of local authorities, associations, and volunteers:

“The involvement of so many different actors shows how deeply these festivals are rooted in our communities.”

Newly recognised festivals

The six new Festivals of National Tourist Interest are:

·         Fiesta de la Vendimia (Campo de Cariñena, Zaragoza)

·         Carnaval de Santoña (Cantabria)

·         Homenaje Templario a Jaime I y Guillem de Mont-Rodón (Monzón, Huesca)

·         Entroidos Oriente Ourensano (Ourense, Galicia)

·         Semana Santa de Plasencia (Cáceres, Extremadura)

·         El Desarme de Oviedo (Asturias)

The four new Festivals of International Tourist Interest are:

·         Fiestas Patronales in honour of the Purísima Concepción (Yecla, Murcia)

·         Semana Santa de Badajoz (Extremadura)

·         Moros y Cristianos (Murcia)

·         Semana Santa de Baena (Córdoba)

Linking to World Tourism Day

World Tourism Day, celebrated on 27 September, focuses this year on tourism’s role as a transformative agent of positive change. The UN highlights the importance of an inclusive approach that places sustainability, resilience, and social equity at the heart of tourism development.

To mark the occasion, Turespaña has launched the campaign Viajar nos une (Travel unites us), developed in collaboration with municipalities across Spain and airports in the Aena network. At its centre is a poster designed by Javier Mariscal, symbolising tourism’s unique power to bring people, cultures, and regions closer together.

Image Credit: © Government of Spain. Ministry of industry and tourism