Seeing It All In Andalucía

with Caroline Booth

Andalucía was the talk of the night at the historic Storys Building in downtown Toronto last week, where the Andalucía Tourist Board, in collaboration with the Tourist Board of Spain hosted a meet and greet. Approximately 90 agents were invited to sit and speak one-on-one with 10 suppliers and learn more about this culturally rich and diverse region of southern Spain.

“Our purpose is to sell Andalucía as a tourist destination," said Antonio Martin-Machuca Alés, International Marketing Manager for Andalucía. “Canada is an important market, not only in the big season in the summer but all year round.” Canadians travelling to Europe, or Spain in particular often include Andalucía in their itinerary because they want to experience the culture, good food and the great sunny weather, added Martin-Machuca Alés.

Sandie Corson, Senior Travel Consultant with The Travel Network was pleased at the variety of suppliers on hand. Many of her clients travel to Spain, and as a Virtuoso member much of her business is focused on high end product. Catering to that segment is Paradores, a group of luxury hotels that offers accommodations in historical buildings, monasteries and castles. A regal experience indeed. “You’ll sleep in rooms where kings and queens slept, and when you go to one you’ll want to go back,” said Javier Fernandez of Connect Worldwide Canada, the PR company representing Pamadores.

Another luxury hotel to consider is Meliá Costa del Sol, located directly on Bajondillo Beach. It offers 538 rooms and suites with stunning sea views, a variety of dining spaces, a spa centre and congress and convention centre. José Luis Gómez Haro, Director of Commercial Sales mentioned that golf enthusiasts would no doubt be satisfied by the 700 golf courses located in the surrounding area.

Getting around to all of these golf courses is a cinch, as car rentals are easily accessible and the roads are excellent, according to Natalia Bóveda of the Málaga Costa Del Sol Tourist Board. And with 326 days of sunshine a year, the conditions are always great.

Visitors interested in a more natural setting would be intrigued to know that Andalucía consists of several natural reserves and that 20% of the territory is protected land. Doñana National Park, makes up the largest natural protected area in all of Europe.

Having just arrived in Toronto in early September, Laura Pena Alberdi, the newly appointed Consul in Charge of Tourism Affairs at the Embassy of Spain in Canada, is still feeling her way around the Canadian market, but was very pleased to be representing Andalucía that night. "It has almost everything.” She went on to explain that it is an important art and culture destination and many cities are home to some unique monuments, such as The Alhambra in Granada and the Mosque of Córdoba. Food is also very special and different because it represents a mixture of Islamic, Jewish and Christian cultures. “Above all we have this unique social life. People are very warm and lively. It's nice to be there and participate with them in this approach to life that they have."

The evening ended with a full course sit down dinner followed by an invigorating Flamenco dance performance. The same vigour and excitement that represents Andalucía.