Gastronomic tourism development in Ciudad Real

Ciudad Real is currently hosting the IV Gastronomic Destinations Days, organized by Saborea España. This summit brings together representatives from various Spanish destinations, administrations, and companies to analyze the future of enogastronomic tourism and the connection between food, producers, and territorial identity.

During the assembly, officials emphasized gastronomy as a vital driver for economic and social opportunities, particularly within rural areas. Miguel Ángel Valverde, President of the Ciudad Real Provincial Council, advocated for tourism policies to be treated as “state policies” due to their significant impact on the national economy.

Building on previous goals to leverage the province’s agro-food and wine heritage, local leaders including Mayor Francisco Cañizares are using the event to project the culinary and enological offerings of Ciudad Real and the Castilla-La Mancha region to a national audience. The summit serves as a platform for the city to learn from established destinations and strengthen its position within the association’s network.

In addition to culinary promotion, the region is integrating technology into heritage management. The Volcanes de Calatrava Geopark has introduced immersive technologies, such as 3D glasses and virtual reality, to transform traditional museum visits into interactive experiences. This initiative aims to attract more visitors to the province’s geological and historical sites by modernizing how cultural heritage is presented.