Administrations and experts defend “customized tourism” in Córdoba as a guarantee for the future

It was one of the most prominent ideas put on the table in a new session of the “Descifrando Córdoba” cycle, which ABC Córdoba is celebrating on the occasion of its 25th anniversary, which was held on Wednesday at the hotel, and is dedicated to tourism. Eurostars Palace Cordoba In the presence of a large crowd.

After being welcomed by the Director of ABC Cordoba, Francisco J. BoyatoIt began with an intervention by the Director of the Center for Tourism Analysis and Foresight at UCO, Manuel RiveraWhich was titled “Challenges of Tourism in Cordoba.”

He talked about A Positive situationFrom recovering from the pandemic to exceeding two million visitors, from a destination that generates great loyalty. However, in his analysis, he warned of the stagnation of the traditional hotel sector, and of the growth of housing intended for tourist use, which reached 23 percent in 2024.

“There is a positive trend towards… Seasonality removal», he said, with eye-catching numbers even in August. The city is far from the fear of tourism and overcrowding, and it warned of a problem, which is the decline in its number Average staywhich is common in many places, and the challenge of promoting less general and more differentiated measures to capture “the individual tourist, those who go outside groups and shows.”

After that, there was a round table attended by the tourism delegate of the Cordoba City Council. Marian Aguilar; The official spokesman for the cathedral branch, Jose Juan Jiménez Guito; Director of the Tourism Authority, Enrique Merino; Director of Reef Production Company, Chris OrtizCEO of the Palace of Congresses in Cordoba, Juan Salado.

Marian Aguilar began by defending that Córdoba is growing in terms of competitiveness, both in terms of numbers and spending, but this means that relationships must continue to be sought. “It’s a city attractive“It is sustainable, safe, quiet and without the problem of tourism phobia, which gives competitiveness,” he said.

It’s because of him Cultural and historical heritagebut also for conferences, various religious events (such as Holy Week or Via Crucis Magno) or sporting events (such as the Sierra Morena Rally or the Half Marathon).

The advisor talked about gastronomy and its latest Michelin star For Perico Ortega, but he also spoke about weaknesses such as growth in summer due to high temperatures. Overcrowding is not a problem, nor is tourism phobia.

Cordoba is the city in which the superiority and uniqueness of the mosque and the cathedral are complete and this is what the official spokesman for the Cabildo, José Juan Jiménez Ghetto, admitted: “A very high percentage of tourists see the mosque and the cathedral and leave, especially Aliens. “There are few outsiders who see Fernandina’s churches.”

For him, the solution may be in what is called tourism. expertiseexplore the city’s surroundings on bike or horseback, looking for places like monasteries. His ideas were creative: they illuminated the path of the churches FernandinasEspecially in the winter when it gets dark early,” he added, adding parties and activities that attract.

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There is also religious tourism that comes in abundance to the mosque-cathedral, especially from Latin America, which can also extend to Montilla, Cabra or Priego. The Director of the Regional Tourism Board took up the challenge for this reason, Enrique MerinoWho emphasized that the 76 municipalities are “76 destinations and 76 opportunities.”

“We should be Strategists And smart, because if overnight stays go down, we have to be able to guarantee that people sleep in the capital so that they also go to the province, and that everything in Cordoba, so that it becomes tense.” Subetica It has worked very well, but there is room for improvement throughout the area to grow.

The position of Chris Ortiz, from concert promoter Riff Producciones, offered a key that was later put on the table for future options: «comfort From the city. For big music events, we don’t look for big cities, where everything is more expensive, but for places to discover.

And the Exercchia Theater is perfect “near San Basilio”. But this does not mean that things are not necessary: ​​a Big hall For the winter, it is not available, which means that the most attractive offers will have to pass.

Juan Salado, CEO of the convention center, has warned many problems Which may happen in the future, such as the fact that a large portion of the staff of four- and five-star hotels are from companies with their tax headquarters outside Cordoba “and with specific rates Barcelona».

“If we do not protect entrepreneurs and the productive fabric, Cordoba may become a multi-brand area in hotels, restaurants and trade,” he said, before complaining that Booking platforms They eat up a lot of businessmen’s profit margin: “We must defend those who raise the curtains here.”

The conversation continued later due to the search for new opportunities, and Council Member Marian Aguilar spoke about new projects, such as the recently opened one Roman temple And those in Regina and Santa Clara, but also the Greenbelt.

The tourism board director offered one clue: “You can do something great EventsBut adapted to each person’s circumstances. He insisted that it does not have to gather a large audience, but rather should be designed to be sustainable and personal.

He gave as an example what is made every summer in the winepress. Morelesabout the famous wines of this land, which attract a thousand people every year: “It’s about adapting to what we can do. happens with him Mozarab Marathonwhich rose from 246 participants to 900 participants from all over Spain. It adapts and leaves a “significant impact” everywhere.

The president of Riff Producciones agreed, stressing that he is now betting on “ Festivals Smaller in size, but offering more quality in all aspects.

He gave the example of the Córdoba Live program that took place last summer in Arenal: “We could have gone to 25,000 spectatorsBut we went to 14,000, because it was more comfortable boxes In conditions, and with access and exit that was good. The excessive volume has led to other cities “collapse”, causing the closest people to leave without spending the night, but this did not happen in Cordoba.

The convention center administrator told how he had two key appointments for 2026, but they were spread out in February and June, to combat seasonality. He once again laid down homework, such as the necessity of long-term planning: “Among the business people out there Lack of unionLack of coordination and lack of a comprehensive plan. The bridges are full, but there are gaps on the margins, which is why coordination is needed.

Much has been said about overnight stays and also about “Paradigm shift» Who brought with them houses designated for tourist use, as everyone agreed that there was no need to fight, but rather avoid those that did not adhere to the rules.

The spokesman for the cathedral branch introduced some changes, such as improving the night tour of El Alma de Cordoba, after three decades, but he also placed duties on others, such as viewing the Alcázar and even doing something similar in Medina Al-Zahra.

He also talked about the future Enrique MerinoWho admitted that “many people would fail if they had to talk about the many resources that the province of Córdoba enjoys.” Moreover, he warned, good connectivity, especially by train, could be a hindrance “to that lazy tourist who comes for a few hours and then leaves.”

In the convention tourism segment, Juan Salado noted that they have had great success in the overnight segment Average stay 2.6 nightswell above average, and the goal is to reach 2.8 within three years, but this requires sector commitment, and the cathedral branch representative spoke of incorporating new technologies as essential.