The Spanish city of Lorca has won a prestigious World Travel Market Globe Award in recognition for its response to an earthquake in May 2011 which took nine people’s lives and had a disastrous impact on the city’s tourism.
Reed Travel Exhibitions Chairman World Travel Market Fiona Jeffery presented the award to Lorca Municipality Major Francisco Jodar Alonso and Tourism Councilman Francisco Felix Montiel at (Monday 7 November) WTM VIP Opening & Reception Ceremony.
WTM’s Global Media Network, comprising of key travel industry media around the world, put forward a shortlist of organisations and individuals which have contributed to their region’s travel and tourism industry. A panel of World Travel Market Head of Marketing and Communications Micaela Juarez and European Tour Operators’ Association Executive Director Tom Jenkins judged the shortlisted entries put forward by Hosteltur. Its Editor, Manuel Molina Espinosa, jointly presented the award with Jeffery.
The city suffered a devastating 75% dropped in tourism arrivals for the summer of 2011 following the earthquake. However, the Murcia regional Government alongside the national Spanish Government are committed to restoring the city to former tourism glories and are using the earthquake as a focal tourism point with a ‘Lorca, open for restoration works’ tour of the city.
Jeffery said: “The judges were impressed with the interesting way the city is using the earthquake and its recovery as a tourism focal point. Furthermore, by rescuing and preserving the city’s cultural heritage it is able to position it in the niche sector of architecture tourism.”
Every year, World Travel Market Global Awards are presented. The other 2011 winners are: Gianluca Picone, R&D Manager of the Royal Continental Hotel Naples, Pousada do Toque, Abreu Travel Agency, UTS Group, Indigo Airlines, Ctrip.com International Ltd, Priceline.com, Kuoni Travel, J. Stephen Perry, President and CEO of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, Surjit S Babra, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of SkyLink Travel Group and Mr Selim El Zyr, co-founder, president and CEO at Rotana Group of Hotels.
