Salou, a destination to be happy all year round
‘Salou, essence of happiness’. This is the slogan chosen for the campaign to promote tourism in this corner of the Mediterranean, which aims to offer much more than sun and sand: to be a quality destination in which the well-being of people and environmental, social and economic sustainability stand out.
This was made clear by its mayor, Pere Granados, on the occasion of its presentation at the Movistar Arena in Madrid (formerly the Wizink Centre), an event attended by the Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, the Minister of Sports of the Generalitat, Berni Álvarez, and the Director General of Tourism of Catalonia, Cristina Lagé, among other authorities and representatives of different sectors of society, and which forms part of the International Tourism Fair being held in the Spanish capital until 26 February.
Responsible tourism
Granados, who was in charge of opening the event, stressed that the aim is to ‘enhance the value of this privileged area of the Mediterranean with the highest quality of life’. The mayor assured that it has been proven that travelling makes us happier because we get to know landscapes, legends, wines, culture, people..., it revitalises our inner world, our feelings and happiness, and, furthermore, it makes us more human, tolerant, wise, passionate and dreamers.
But Salou is not only a summer destination, it also offers something to enjoy all year round. ‘Salou has a tourist vocation, it has consolidated its leadership in Catalonia and also in Spain thanks to its natural and scenic surroundings. Salou has chosen the path of progress, but prioritising people,’ said the mayor, and that is why they defend responsible, intelligent and inclusive tourism.
‘The best place to live is the best place to visit’, said Granados, referring to Salou, a city that offers one of the best experiences in sports tourism, cultural tourism, in fact, this year it is “Capital of Catalan Culture”, natural tourism, with routes such as the Coastal Path of Salou and the Route of the Viewpoints, gastronomic, oenological, wellness and leisure and entertainment with one of the most important theme parks in the world.
‘Those who don't know Salou don't know Catalonia, but neither does Spain, because Salou unites’, concluded the mayor.
Leadership on the Costa Dorada
For his part, the Minister of Culture referred to FITUR in Madrid as the most important global meeting and the responsibility we have in a subject where Spain is a leader: tourism, a country, he said, with 50 million inhabitants that receives 94 million foreigners, for its nature, culture, heritage, tolerance, freedom ...
Hereu also referred to the possibility that Salou has to show itself as a preferential destination and with great leadership on the Costa Dorada and congratulated the mayor and his team for their effort and work, opening up, through Madrid, to the world. ‘Salou embodies many values,’ he said.
Finally, he pointed out that Salou is an example of the coexistence of industry and tourism, where, together with sun and beach, it has sought concepts of wellbeing, health and quality, which is ‘what we want for the whole of Spain’, said the minister, not without first mentioning the great value of Salou's gastronomy, which combines tradition and modernity.
Cristina Lagé also spoke, praising the ‘marvellous story’ told by Salou, which has understood that, in addition to sun and beach, something that they demand, it is important to diversify and professionalise. She also spoke of tourism as an industry with an incredible future and of Salou as ‘the industry of happiness’.
Sport as a union
The Sports Councillor, Berni Álvarez, stressed that Salou has managed to radically change its tourism in order to offer quality tourism in which sport is of great importance. In this sense, he referred to three essential keys: the economic return, the capacity for environmental and social sustainability and sport as a union, three aspects, he said, that Salou has achieved.
Those attending the event, some 300 people, were able to enjoy a promotional video showing the possibilities offered to tourists by this destination ‘where every moment is lived as a unique experience’ and which is ‘a refuge for the soul’, and where you can feel that fragrance that makes us feel good, which is the essence of happiness.
Gastronomic tasting
And as a finishing touch, an exquisite gastronomic tasting was offered by different Salou chefs (Edu Cuesta, Máximo Cuadrado, David Santoro, María Damián, David Cortés and José Espartero), under the leadership of Pep Moreno, Michelin star, and manager of the Deliranto restaurant.
Moreno explained that, for the menu offered, in which customs and traditions were mixed with innovation, local products were selected, from extra virgin olive oil to lamb, including red prawns and calçots (spring onions). A tasting that symbolises wellbeing, hence the aim to provoke positive sensations through the four elements: earth, fire, air and water, ‘which together are the balance’, emphasised the chef.