From November 25 to 28, Torremolinos, that iconic city on the Costa del Sol, has become the epicenter of Andalusian LGTBIQ+ Networking. A meeting that goes beyond the social to consolidate a tourism segment of enormous value. As an expert in journalism, I tell you that the presence of the Tourism Department of the Junta de Andalucía, together with the Torremolinos City Council, Turespaña and the Board of Trustees of the Costa del Sol, is not coincidental. It is a clear and forceful declaration of intentions: Andalusia seeks to enhance its image as a primary destination for the LGTBIQ+ community.
The main objective of this event is twofold: on the one hand, to increase the notoriety of the region internationally; on the other, and no less important, to facilitate the expansion of the Andalusian tourism offer in global markets, generating tangible business opportunities. These types of actions invite us to reflect: are other destinations investing in the same way in tourism that is truly inclusive and respects diversity?
Three Days of Connection and Debate: The Meeting Agenda
The Torremolinos Conference Center has been the nerve center of these days, where the focus has been on professional exchange. Andalusian entrepreneurs have shared space and knowledge with international agents, all specializing in the LGTBIQ+ segment.
The agenda has been full of key moments, designed to analyze the present and outline the future of the sector:
- Inaugural Act and Positioning: The mayor of Torremolinos, Margarita del Cid, gave the institutional welcome, followed by an inaugural presentation that positioned Andalusia as the World Capital of LGTBIQ+ Tourism, by Gemma del Corral Parra, General Director of Promotion and Promotion of Tourism.
High Level Thematic Panels (Wednesday, November 26):
- The Economic Potential of LGTBIQ+ Tourism: A panel moderated by Víctor Rojas (Six Magazine) that featured important voices such as Bruna Degow (IGLTA), Nano García Gil (REDD), the visual artist Boska, Javier Ojeda (Fulanita Fest) and Alfonso Llopart (Grupo Shangay).
- The future of Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism: Moderated by Juan Carlos Alonso (MADO/Interpride), the integration of sustainability with inclusion was debated, with representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, the Regional Government of Andalusia, the Torremolinos City Council and AEHCOS.
- Success stories: With Amalia Bulnes as moderator, experiences of destinations, companies and events that set the tone for change were shared, including professionals from Torremolinos, Seville, VisitBrussels, Reynas Torremolinos, EDEN Beach Club and Queer Destinations.
- Business Connection (B2B): The conference included a Networking session to promote the direct connection between demand and supply, a vital space for the creation of synergies.
Beyond the Rooms: Culture and Coexistence
The program has not been limited to the professional field and has included cultural and coexistence moments for all attendees, recognizing that the value of a destination also lies in its cultural and leisure offering.
Torremolinos: Attendees enjoyed a visit to the historic Molino de Inca Botanical Garden, as well as a tour of emblematic places in the city, with a lunch by the sea at the Chiringuito Edén.
Malaga: The agenda closed with a transfer to the capital of Malaga, where a cultural visit was made to its most representative places, culminating with a farewell dinner at the El Patio de Beatas Restaurant.
Will these leisure and cultural spaces be a reminder that hospitality must be the central value of any tourism strategy worth its salt?
