Madrid, Tuesday 24th January 2023.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism (MINCOTUR), Reyes Maroto, has signed an international agreement with Oriol Pàmies, Founder of Queer Destinations and member of the IGLTA (International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association) board of directors to promote the first national tourism strategy focused on the LGBTQ+ segment. This institutional support pursues the objective of highlighting the leadership role of the Government of Spain and MINCOTUR in the design and promotion of new LGBTQ+ tourist experiences. As well as facilitating public-private relations and the training and awareness of tourist agents from all over the country.

Within the framework of the 43rd edition of the Madrid Tourism Fair (FITUR), Reyes Maroto wanted to highlight the commitment of the Government of Spain, MINCOTUR and Turespaña with the LGBTQ+ community. For this reason, she has assured that work will continue to “add values such as equality and diversity to the Turespaña brand“, and in “innovation so that LGBTQ+ tourists who visit Spain continue to be surprised, improve their experience and feel safe and free”. Likewise, she has added that “if I am the next mayoress of Madrid, the City Council will be the home of all Madrid residents to present MADO 2023“.

The signing of the public commitment has been presented by Miguel Sanz, General Director of Turespaña. In his speech, the Founder of Queer Destinations, Oriol Pàmies, assured that “Today is an important day for Spain with MINCOTUR’s desire to be part of the first national LGBTQ + tourism strategy.” Something that “will once again place Spain as one of the best destinations in the world for LGBTQ+ tourists.” Also, he added that “the comprehensive strategy will focus an important part of its focus on training and raising awareness of the tourism sector in order to receive the segment in an appropriate manner and in line with the international standards that Queer Destinations represents.”