Happy New Year - An Andalusian Affair, a series of seminars organised by the Department of Tourism through the public agency Turismo Andaluz, will be held in London and other key cities in the United Kingdom from 14-18 January 2008. This year, the seminars will revolve around the meetings and event industry, with the participation of convention bureaux, hotels, and DMCs.
The series of seminars Happy New Year – An Andalusian Affair will be geared to the meetings and event industry. The idea is to promote the region both as a meeting and event destination and as a place offering a full variety of tourist products. The Barcelo Montecastillo Resort, located near Jerez de la Frontera’s Formula 1 racetrack, the Gran Hotel Elba Estepona, the Rompido Golf & Beach Resort, theGuadalpin chain with hotels in Marbella, Puerto Banus and Mijas), the Meliá Sancti Petri Hotel & Golf, the Torrequebrada Hotel, the Seville-based DMC Azahares Congresses & Incentives, and Travelmasters, based in Marbella, among others, will be participating in the seminars. Furthermore, specialised companies and travel agencies, PCOs, association representatives and other related sectors in the United Kingdom have been invited to participate in the event.
An Andalusian Affair in the States
Making the most of the opportunity afforded by the new route between Malaga and New York, which Delta Airline’s will begin to operate in June 2008 and which will be the only direct flight between Andalusia and the States, Turismo Andaluz has organised seminars in New York, its area of influence, and Boston from 11-15 February 2008, and in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Orlando, Tampa and Miami during April and May.
As in the case of the United Kingdom, the aim is to promote Andalusian tourism products and the region as a destination for product launches, business travel, congresses, conventions and other events.
The seminars are keyed to specialised companies and travel agencies, professional congress organisers, trade association representatives, and other related sectors.
In 2006, Andalusia received a total of 416,000 American tourists, up 8.2% on figures for 2006, this market being the fifth most important in terms of arrivals.
With regard to 2007, 321.116 American tourists stayed at Andalusian hotels between January and September, totalling 628,802 overnight stays, with an average stay of two days.
