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Lorca recognises tourism excellence with almost thirty SICTED awards
Ceremony honours 26 local businesses and services for their commitment to quality in tourism
Lorca has celebrated the hard work and dedication of its local tourism sector with the presentation of nearly thirty SICTED (Integral System of Tourism Quality in Destinations) awards at a ceremony held in the historic surroundings of the Guevara Palace on Tuesday September 30.In total, 26 businesses and services from across the municipality were recognised for their commitment to raising standards and providing excellent service to visitors, after passing strict quality audits earlier this year.
The event was attended by the Director General of Competitiveness and Tourism Quality of the Region of Murcia, Eva Reverte, along with mayor Fulgencio Gil, councillor for Culture and Tourism, Santiago Parra, and representatives from the local business community.
As part of the recognition, awardees received diplomas, plaques for display, vehicle stickers and pins for tour guides. Speaking during the ceremony, mayor Gil praised the attendees by saying, “This ceremony is a recognition of the professionalism of those who, from different areas, contribute to economic growth and to positioning the municipality as a leading tourist destination. These 26 awards represent 26 examples of effort, innovation and a real vocation for service.”
He added: “Tourism quality is not just a seal, it is an attitude and a way of understanding the city. Lorca moves forward thanks to its companies and professionals, and today we want to highlight their commitment and thank them for being the best ambassadors for our municipality.”
The historic Guevara Palace offered the perfect backdrop, with Gil describing the Guevara Palace as “a jewel of our historical heritage and the perfect place to honour those who make the city shine as both a cultural and tourist destination. Heritage and quality go hand in hand in building the Lorca we want to show to the world.”
Those recognised come from a wide mix of sectors including hotels, hostels, travel agencies, tourist attractions, museums, artisans, active tourism companies and even municipal services such as the local police and the tourism office. Notable awardees included the Parador de Turismo Castillo de Lorca, Playa de Calnegre, Lorca Taller del Tiempo and the Archaeological Museum. Altogether, the municipality now has 55 establishments within the scheme, of which 26 were honoured this week.
The SICTED programme is promoted nationally by Spain’s Secretariat of State for Tourism and managed by the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces. It provides free training and technical support, personalised good practice guides, official recognition and greater visibility for participating businesses.
The ceremony also included a touching tribute to local photographer Juan Miguel Aledo, who recently passed away. He was remembered as a much-loved professional and an important figure in Lorca’s cultural life. Mayor Gil said: “Lorca loses a much-loved professional who managed to capture the spirit of our city. He leaves behind an unforgettable legacy. May this award serve as a symbol that his work and his name will continue to be present in the culture of the municipality.”
Through these awards, Lorca has once again shown its commitment to building a sustainable, high-quality and culturally rich tourism offering that benefits both residents and visitors.
Image: Ayuntamiento de Lorca
