Quality remains the cornerstone of Murcia’s commitment to safe tourism, as the region prepares for the imminent return of European holidaymakers. British tourists are hoping non-essential travel restrictions will be eased from May, and Germans have now been given the all-clear by their government to travel to a select group of Spanish destinations that have been redesignated as “non-risk”.
This means German tourists will not be required to undertake a COVID-19 test or endure quarantine on their return from holidays in Murcia and five other “safe” Spanish regions: Balearics, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, La Rioja and Valencia (which includes Alicante and the Costa Blanca).
The German announcement coincided with Murcia’s digital presence at this year’s ITB travel trade fair in Berlin, where tourism authorities highlighted the region’s safe and sustainable tourism options, including sun and beach, active tourism (cycling, etc.), camping, golf and cuisine.
They also provided details about Murcia’s initiative to provide tourists with insurance coverage for health, transport and accommodation costs incurred if they become infected with COVID-19 during their holidays.
Golf: The Murcia region is home to 22 top golf courses, all within 35 kilometres of each other. The main golf resort areas are Mar Menor, La Manga, Murcia and Águilas.
Water Sports: The regional ministry of tourism has launched a Tourism+Sport initiative to promote year-long sailing events on the Costa Cálida (“Warm Coast”), as well as holiday packages that include seaside accommodation and an extensive and varied array of water sports.
Gastrojueves: One of the star culinary events being held in 2021 as Murcia celebrates its year as the Spanish Capital of Gastronomy is a series of 12 workshops on Thursdays (until June) presented by leading chefs and showcasing the region’s classic recipes. Held at the Centro de Qualifación Turística, the presentations are in Spanish, but cooking tends to have an international language so even non-Spanish speakers should be able to follow the instructions fairly easily online in home kitchens, and be able to pick up valuable tips and ideas for their next dinner party.
Safe and Quality Tourism
Murcia currently has 28 municipalities adhering to a national certification system that monitors quality tourism (SICTED – Sistema Integral de Calidad Turística en Destinos), the fourth highest number of any region in Spain (after Andalucía, Valencia and the Basque Country).
These municipalities were honoured this week – together with 263 private companies that have also received SICTED certification – during a Quality Tourism Gala organised by the ministry of tourism, youth and sport this week.
In addition, 66 establishments including tourist offices, beaches and hospitality companies have been distinguished with the official Safe Tourism Certified stamp, which highlights their implementation of COVID health measures.