Catalonia to host B2B agents' workshop and mega fam

The Catalan Tourist Board has opened registrations for its Buy Catalunya showcase over September 25-29, with 2018 being Catalonia’s Year of Cultural Tourism.

More than 200 Catalan tourism businesses will attend the event. The tourist board will also host a B2B workshop in Tarragona and a mega fam across seven routes in the region.

The workshop will give attendees the chance to meet a wide variety of local operators. More than 15 travel professionals from the UK and Ireland will be exhibiting.

Catalonia is this year focusing on its cultural product, its history, stories, traditions and attractions that go back centuries, from Roman remains and pioneering architecture to Unesco world heritage sites and modern art prowess.

Other themes include cultural, gastronomic and wine tourism, the region’s adventure, nature and outdoor pursuits, family holidays and city breaks.

Following the workshop, the tourist board will host a mega fam, with attendees given seven different three-day itineraries to choose from, six of which are based on new routes created for 2018.

They range from following the Mediterranean coast or the Pyrenees, taking in the region’s inland heritage such as vineyards and monasteries, and exploring either some of Catalonia’s smaller villages or the thriving city of Barcelona.

The seventh itinerary will focus specifically on accessible tourism.

Aicard Guinovart, the Catalan Tourist Board’s director UK and Ireland, said: “The United Kingdom is the second largest source market for tourism in Catalonia so it is incredibly important to us to host UK operators and agents in the region and show them what our region has to offer this year.

“In 2017, Catalonia welcomed over two million British tourists - the strongest year of the decade for British visitation to the region and a 4.9% uplift on 2016. We hope by working closely with the UK and Irish travel trade to grow this even further this year.”

The workshop will take place at Palau de Congressos de Tarragona in Costa Daurada. There will be a welcome dinner in Tarragona on September 25 and closing dinner in Barcelona on September 28.

Registration is open until June 25.