Feeling safe during holidays abroad begins at the departure airport and continues all the way to the destination hotel or rented accommodation. Just as important, however, is receiving cast-iron reassurances that, once settled into your temporary home away from home, you can move around and enjoy the local attractions with equally strict guarantees of health and safety firmly in place.
The Murcia region, which takes in southern Spain’s popular Costa Cálida resort areas, is universally recognised for its firm commitment to providing safe holiday experiences and protecting visitors from any potential health risks. This was highlighted once again this week when the region’s network of tourist offices and information stands became the first in Spain to receive the “Safe Tourism Certified” stamp from the Spanish Tourist Quality Institute (ICTE).
Ceremonies were held first on the coast (in San Pedro del Pinatar) and later in the town of Mula to formally present the certifications, as part of a special summer tourism campaign aimed at highlighting the many diverse – and safe – attractions of Murcia’s 13 inland municipalities.
Presiding over the ceremonies were the regional minister for tourism, youth and sport, Cristina Sánchez, ICTE director Fernando Fraile and San Pedro del Pinatar mayoress Visitación Martínez.
In total, 25 offices received the ISO 9001 quality distinction (including Murcia capital and other key centres such as Cartagena, Lorca and Mazarrón), as well as information stands in Los Narejos and at Corvera Airport Murcia (officially, Aeropuerto Internacional de la Región de Murcia).
Noting that the ministry would continue to offer advice and support for the remaining offices and stands in the network to obtain the same certification, Cristina Sánchez said the process was initiated to provide maximum risk prevention guarantees for visitors – throughout the whole tourist sector chain. It also, she added, ensured compliance with health and governmental protocols set up to combat the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
“It has been a great challenge,” she said, “and a matter of pride for the ministry’s team that this first point of contact with arriving tourists is a safe and officially certified space, offering the highest level of security in Spain.”
In addition to the newly-certified offices and stands, several other tourist establishments in the Murcia region have been granted “Safe Tourism” distinctions, including the Terra Natura theme park, the maritime transport company Transbordos en Mar Menor, and 14 beaches in San Javier.
Discover more about Murcia’s local areas by clicking here.