NuevoImparcial.- The Minister of Employment, Tourism and Culture of the Community of Madrid, Ana Isabel Mariño, and the Mayor of Madrid, Ana Botella, today unveiled the Strategic Tourism Plan for 2015-2019 created in cooperation with the regional Government and industry experts to strengthen the Madrid region as one of the main European destinations.
The goal is to get ,by 2019 ,an increase in tourism of 30%. According to figures provided, during 2014 the Community of Madrid received 9.4 million tourists, 11% more than in 2013. The planned strategy for the coming years will focus on 18 international markets and 8 regions placing value on six key areas through an integrated vision of the public and private sectors: the Spanish lifestyle, rich cultural heritage, attractive tourism options in the region, football, gastronomy «wine & dine» and events and shows with international relevance.
Mariño recalled that Madrid will host the World Tourism Summit, to be held in April 2015. The Minister stated that actions will continue to be developed to attract tourist segments particularly with high purchasing power, like the tourist who comes to Madrid for business purposes, or gay tourism, in 2017 ‘the World Pride’ event will be held in Madrid..
An industry that employs more than 300,000 people in Madrid
According to data from the latest EPA, in Madrid over 32,000 jobs were created in this sector, which employs more than 309,000 people. And the unemployment rate by sector is the lowest in the country, at 12%, well below the average for the labor market and also being the region with one of the least temporary employment figures in this activity. «The Minister stressed that the Community of Madrid is the number one destination in Spain in the cultural sphere, with its live entertainment, its historical and artistic heritage; and is rated second best in Europe for shopping. It also hosts the National Guadarrama Park which attracted over 3.5 million tourists. It has 16 restaurants with Michelin stars and is the second largest destination for congresses.