Gabriel y Galan Reservoir

Last October 14th we returned to Lands of Granadilla and Ambroz Valley, in the north of Estremadura, invited by the General Directorate of Tourism of Extremadura to participate in the II Sports Tourism Conference in Extremadura.

Extremadura as a tourist destination has been working for a long time diversification of its tourist offer and they are fully aware of the possibilities that their territory offers for nature tourism and sports tourism. Fascinating landscapes, its great biodiversity, history, culture and gastronomy make up a region that has much to offer visitors. We also agree with their tourism managers on the importance they give to the creation of a tourism product as a key element to facilitate the marketing of proposals and for tourism to generate benefits for local populations.

Cranes

With these premises, return to The ring, it was comforting, plus when we got there, that October morning, we had a gift. Being able to hear first and then see the first cranes of the season, coming from one of our northern neighbors to spend the winter. A fantastic show next to the Gabriel y Galán Reservoir, a visual and sound postcard.

The II Sports Tourism Conference in Extremadura was very interesting, after the required presentations, it was our turn to begin the presentations. Our proposal was: “Potential of cycle tourism for the revitalization of the territory” where we address the needs and of a territory to generate bike tourism product and we saw through various examples the benefits that this tourism modality brings to a territory.

We leave you our presentation in case it is of interest to you.
[slideshare id=54207070&doc=2015-151021091458-lva1-app6892]

The presentations followed and in this case it was the turn of Juanma Murua which made the critical, but absolutely necessary, note that we cannot expect to develop tourism at any price and that we have to take into account the possible negative impacts of the activities at both a social and environmental level. I really liked his intervention with an approach in which we fully agree, betting on endogenous development and local participation in decision-making, all of these issues that led us to found the Spanish Center for Responsible Tourism. Her blog was also a discovery, Economy in tracksuit, highly recommended.

The morning continues with Jose Antonio Fernandez Of the municipality of Ayamonte in Huelva who explained to us their municipal sports management model and how they have integrated sports companies and clubs and a transnational European project with Portugal into it.

Later it was the turn of Ivan Velasco de GMM Tourism Consultants with whom we had already had the pleasure of sharing some similar events and who told us about Nautical Tourism of interior in Extremadura, perfectly exposing how in the region there are enormous possibilities, but very little tourist product created, which means that it is still very difficult to reach the market.

After the meal, in which we were treated to some delicious food (yes, there was some red meat among those foods, but they were so delicious...) the afternoon session arrived.

A very interesting round table in which some friends were present, with whom we have agreed in other places and in many of the ideas they presented: Raul Villacampa, Bikefriendly, Chema Ramon, owner of The River House  y Manuel Carrillo, whom I did not have the pleasure of knowing beforehand Hotel HO Ciudad de Jaén.

Three different proposals but that have some key common features:

• Have identified specific needs of a group of clients.
• Provide solutions to those needs.
• Segment your offer and your services, having clearly defined the profile of the client you are looking for.

Bikefriendly creating a value proposition based on accommodation and tourist establishments designed for clients who travel by bicycle, which already has more than 140 participating hotels. Chema The River House, he told us about how he has been segmenting his proposals and that pets and fishermen are his strong points. I introduce us ANGLER FRIENDLY, a differentiating quality seal for those tourist accommodations that offer specific services and spaces adapted to the needs of fishermen. The last case was that of Hotel H0 City of JaénManuel Carrillo explained to us how they adopted sport as a symbol of identity and how they have been specializing through their sports facilities and facilities to host teams from different sports disciplines.

From here we want to congratulate David Cerro and your company Wellness Solutions for the excellent organization and to the General Director of Tourism, Francisco Martín for their involvement and for betting on the sports tourism, active tourism and the nature tourism as hallmarks of Extremadura.

To conclude, two comments, one negative, even though I liked the days and they encourage a lot of hope. Things seem to repeat themselves and we have participated in more days like these, in Extremadura and other places. They are very good, but they are not enough, we already know how many things have to be done, but of course, now we have to do them, we have to get going and that involves providing more capabilities to local companies and developing the tourism product. planned and thinking from the beginning about customers and marketing channels. It is very easy to fall back into past mistakes, so we are forced to repeat: A route, an itinerary, no matter how beautiful it may be, is not a tourist product.. In our opinion Now we don't need more routes, we need more product.

The positive comment, I slept in Hervas (a fantastic town that I recommend you visit if you have not already done so) two

Hervas

nights and I was able to greet many friends at the Day and in the moments that followed and I confirmed how the idea that the Silver Route Greenway It is perceived as a close and desired reality. Around this proposal it seems to us that a attractive tourist product for cyclists and walkers and it would be a boost to the development of the network Eurovelo in Extremadura. Congratulations for betting on such an exciting project!!

A abrazo.