The Universidad de Alicante (UA) has held the 15th edition of the tourism awards presented by the Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Turísticas (IUIT). These awards are given annually to recognise individuals, companies, and entities that have achieved professional success in the tourism sector.
This year’s recipients include Nuria Montes, honoured for her professional career; the platform FlexMyRoom, awarded for its innovative approach to tourism; Nomad Hospitality Group, recognised for its entrepreneurial spirit in tourism; and UA graduate Alejandro Benito, acknowledged for his significant professional contributions.
The ceremony was presided over by Rosabel Roig, the UA's Vice-Rector for Lifelong Learning and Languages, alongside Antonio Pérez, President of the Diputación de Alicante, and Ana Poquet, Councillor for Tourism in Alicante. Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the IUIT, the event featured presentations from its directors, Professors Fernando Vera, José Luis Gascó, and current director Josep Ivars Baidal. Additionally, José Antonio Donaire Benito, Commissioner for Sustainable Tourism Management at the Barcelona City Council, delivered a keynote address titled "Rethinking tourism: a look to the future."
Awards and recipients
Nuria Montes received the award for professional trajectory, recognising her over 30 years of dedication to strengthening, modernising, and representing the tourism sector in the Valencian Community. A law graduate from UA, Montes has held leadership roles in Hosbec, the Business Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Valencian Community, where she served as secretary general for more than two decades, establishing the organisation as one of the most influential in Spanish tourism.
The innovation award went to FlexMyRoom, a leading example of the tourism innovation ecosystem in Alicante. The platform integrates travel insurance into the booking process, allowing non-refundable rates to be converted into flexible options for customers, enhancing the travel experience while improving the profitability and competitiveness of hotels. Currently, it serves around 400 hotels and has expanded its offerings with the launch of Egeria Travel, a digital travel insurance broker. The award was accepted by Ángel Aparicio, the company’s marketing and development manager.
In the entrepreneurship category, Nomad Hospitality Group represents a new generation of tourism companies that reinterpret the hotel model in the province through innovation, sustainability, and the creation of authentic experiences linked to the local area. Founded on the Costa Blanca, the company has developed boutique hotel projects in destinations such as Altea, Jávea, Benidorm, and La Cala de Finestrat, establishing itself as a distinctive proposal that combines design, Mediterranean identity, digitalisation, and experiential hospitality. The award was received by Mónica Mascarós, founder and creative director of the group.
Finally, Alejandro Benito was awarded for his professional relevance as a graduate in the tourism sector. Currently the Director of Advertising and Communication at Hoteles Servigroup, he holds a degree in Tourism and Business Administration and Management (TADE) and a Master's in Tourism Management and Planning from UA. Benito exemplifies a professional who combines solid academic training with a remarkable ability to apply acquired knowledge in the business realm. His early career began at Invattur, and he has been with Servigroup since 2020.
