The director of Tourism for Galicia, Xosé Merelles, engaged in discussions with tourism officials from Spain's international markets during the VI Turespaña Convention, held in Zaragoza from 20 to 22 October 2026. These meetings aim to refine the strategies for the Galicia 2027 International Tourism Promotion Plan, enhance collaboration with Spain's overseas tourism offices, and identify opportunities to boost Galicia's visibility as an international tourist destination.
Merelles held discussions with representatives from Spanish tourism offices located in cities including Beijing, Chicago, Lisbon, Singapore, Vienna, Warsaw, Guangzhou, Rome, Milan, The Hague, Buenos Aires, Paris, Dublin, Brussels, Toronto, Los Angeles, São Paulo, and Frankfurt, among others. He also met with María Isabel Garaña Corces, the deputy director general of Strategy and Services for the Tourism Sector at Turespaña.
The focus of the day was on promoting Galicia in key international travel markets, notably Portugal, the United States, Germany, Italy, France, and Ireland, which were among the top sources of visitors to the region in 2025. Additionally, the promotion of Galicia in European markets with direct flight connections planned for 2027 was discussed. Meetings with tourism office representatives in Paris, Rome, Warsaw, Brussels, and Milan allowed for an analysis of the opportunities these connections present for increasing international visitor numbers and strengthening Galicia's position as a tourist destination.
These interactions are set to enhance promotional efforts in Europe, America, and Asia, while tailoring actions to the characteristics and preferences of various international traveller profiles. The VI Turespaña Convention serves as a meeting point for the sector, bringing together Spanish tourism agents to foster collaboration and define common goals among destinations, businesses, and institutions. This sixth edition examines the role of international tourism as a transformative force in the sector, addressing challenges and opportunities for advancing towards a more competitive, innovative, and sustainable tourism model.
As part of the Galicia Tourism Strategy 2030, the Xunta is implementing over 150 promotional actions in 2026, aimed at enhancing international visibility and attracting new audiences. These initiatives seek to position Galicia as a competitive, sustainable, and appealing year-round destination, highlighting its natural, cultural, heritage, and gastronomic offerings. Therefore, collaboration with overseas tourism offices is crucial for strengthening ties with industry professionals and identifying new promotional and growth opportunities.
