The Basque Department of Tourism, Commerce and Consumption has revealed a budget of €59.8 million for 2027, marking a 5.6% increase compared to the previous year. This budget aims to facilitate a significant qualitative and quantitative leap in local commerce.
Tourism budget highlights
Within the overall budget, the tourism sector is allocated €23.2 million, with €10.2 million designated for the Basque Tourism Agency, Basquetour. A new funding initiative aimed at enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of the tourism sector will receive €1.5 million in its first year, increasing to €2 million in subsequent years. This initiative is part of an agreement related to a tax on tourist stays.
The funding will support initiatives that promote less developed areas and help to diversify tourism flows throughout the region. Additionally, an investment in artificial intelligence will be made to enhance the Grand Tour tourism website, aimed at personalising visitor experiences and extending their stays. This initiative will have a budget of €300,000 in 2027.
Commerce budget details
Minister Cristina González highlighted that local commerce is undergoing a significant transformation, which will be a priority for the department. The commerce budget will increase by nearly 15%, amounting to €25.5 million, which represents a 14.7% rise.
The transformation strategy will focus on three main pillars: the introduction of a new commercial activity law, an enhancement of existing support programmes, and a strengthening of administrative structures to better meet sector needs.
Notable allocations include a 15.6% increase in funding for the modernisation of commercial establishments, now totalling €5.4 million, and €1.5 million for the MERKAEKIN entrepreneurship programme, which supports business planning and investments. The Hirigune programme, aimed at commercial dynamisation for trade associations, will also see an increase to €2.4 million.
Moreover, the budget for the commercial innovation hub will be €1.4 million, while the Commercial Assistance Points will receive €2.2 million. A new initiative, the "Loyalty Project," aimed at enhancing customer retention in local commerce, will be allocated €1.75 million.
Kontsumobide budget
The Basque Institute of Consumer Affairs, Kontsumobide, will have a budget of €8.6 million in 2027, with €7.1 million coming from the department and the remainder from its own revenues. A new mobile unit, Kontsumobus, will be introduced with a budget of €320,000 to improve access to consumer services across the region.
Kontsumobide aims to enhance consumer rights awareness and will continue to focus on training and information dissemination, with a total training budget of €936,000. This follows last year's training of approximately 40,000 individuals.
González concluded that the substantial budget increase reflects the importance of both the commerce and tourism sectors, which together employ around 245,000 families, accounting for nearly 25% of the workforce in the Basque Country.
