Valdepeñas continues to strive to maintain itself as a high-quality tourist destination, endorsed with a seal of guarantee, with 32 establishments and entities now adhering to the Integral System of Spanish Tourist Quality in Destinations (SICTED), awarded by the State Secretariat for Tourism along with other organizations such as the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP).
On this Monday, 13 quality SICTED distinctions were awarded to new establishments and renewals, bringing the total number of certified establishments to 32, two more than the previous year. Valdepeñas has been implementing this system since 2013, being one of the first in Castilla-La Mancha, showcasing its commitment to working towards high-quality tourism, as explained by the Deputy Mayor of Tourism, Vanessa Irla.
«Without a doubt, I believe it is very beneficial for the destination, for the companies, and for tourism to see the SICTED plaques on your facades, as it translates into a commitment from both Valdepeñas and the companies to focus on offering a quality service,» she stated.
Therefore, the City Council will continue to work on incorporating more companies into this quality tourism system, as recently done by Bodegas San Ricardo and the MQ Suites tourist apartments.
Tourism Engine
The event for the delivery of quality distinctions was also attended by the delegate for Economy, Companies, and Employment, Agustín Espinosa, who stated that Valdepeñas «is one of the tourism engines of the province and Castilla-La Mancha.» He emphasized that the City of Wine regularly hosts congresses and events that make it a focal point for tourism, as well as its wine-producing tradition explored through wine tourism and gastronomy. He highlighted that wine tourism «boosts inland tourism,» and therefore, the Government of Castilla-La Mancha periodically provides aid for wineries to adapt their facilities for visitor reception.
Regarding SICTED quality tourism, he mentioned that «Valdepeñas has two new establishments that will learn the work methodology required for true transformation. Valdepeñas, in this case, is indeed an example of transforming the tourism system from what it was 30 years ago to what we are seeing now.» Espinosa emphasized that «the type of establishments, customer service approach, and products have almost completely changed in Valdepeñas, which is closely linked to being a municipality that has prioritized quality.»
It is important to note that SICTED does not have any direct cost for the establishments, as the municipality itself assumes this investment. However, the beneficiaries of receiving this distinction must carry out training and work for their employees, in addition to receiving technical assistance and various evaluations.