The provincial deputy for sports, Dani Sancha, participated in the IV Business Meeting of Travel Agencies ‘Conecta Turismo 2026’, an initiative driven by FEDA (Federation of Business Associations of Albacete) and the Association of Travel Agencies of Albacete (AVA), in collaboration with the Diputación de Albacete. The event gathered tourism professionals to explore new promotional opportunities and generate activity in the province.
Held at Chalé Fontecha, the meeting featured contributions from FEDA president Artemio Pérez and AVA head Ignacio Tárraga. The event was centred around the theme ‘With edge, flavour and commerce: Albacete, a knife-making capital with its own identity’, highlighting the connection between knife-making, commerce, gastronomy, and accommodation as distinctive elements of the Albacete destination, alongside the potential of the city’s airport.
During the meeting, Sancha praised such spaces for facilitating reflection and idea exchange in the crucial tourism sector for the province. He commended FEDA and AVA for promoting this initiative and underscored the role of travel agencies as intermediaries capable of transforming local attractions into appealing options for travellers. He particularly noted the importance of promoting knife-making in collaboration with APRECU and gastronomy with the Provincial Association of Agro-food Companies of Albacete.
Sancha pointed out that these sectors have become “gateways to tourism in the province,” reaffirming the Diputación’s full support for both areas. He advocated for a “sustainable tourism model” that utilises local resources to generate employment, economic activity, and opportunities.
Focusing on the tourism potential of sports, Sancha described it as an “attractive avenue for discovering the territory and expanding the provincial tourism offer.” He highlighted the work done by the Diputación through its sports circuits, various events throughout the year, and participation in fairs such as Fitur and SportCitie to broaden their reach to other territories. “Sports tourism is a sector that is growing even faster than general tourism,” he stated, explaining that the provincial institution aims to transform numerous sporting events into experiences that attract athletes along with their families and friends for weekend stays centered around these events.
Sancha also noted that hosting sports events generates socio-economic synergies, projecting Albacete’s image beyond its borders and positioning the province as an attractive destination for those looking to combine sports with discovering new places. He cited the stage of the Vuelta Ciclista a España that took place in the province as a prime example.
Moreover, he emphasised the importance of connecting these experiences with other provincial resources, including historical and natural heritage, gastronomy, craftsmanship, and traditions. This combination enriches the stay of visitors and offers tailored proposals for different traveller profiles.
In his remarks, the deputy addressed the significance of collaboration between public administrations and the business sector to expand the tourism offer and enhance the province's ability to attract visitors year-round. In this context, he recalled the impressive figures recorded by rural tourism in Albacete, which saw 71,448 overnight stays in August 2026, the highest monthly total on record and nearly 20% more than in the same month the previous year. These results reflect the growing interest in the province as a destination.
In conclusion, Dani Sancha encouraged continued coordinated efforts to connect all provincial resources “and turn them into experiences that invite people to explore its towns and cities, contributing to the economic and social development of the entire territory.”
