Turisme Comunitat Valenciana provides 6.3 million euros of funding to aid tourism companies in 2022

Thursday 10th February 2022 – MIKE SMITH
Translated from a press release issued by the Generalitat Valenciana

Turisme Comunitat Valenciana will allocate a total of 6,300,000 euros in 2022 for a new initiative aimed at improving the competitiveness of tourism services and products in the Comunidad Valenciana, as well as companies, associations, federations and foundations of the three provinces.

The regional tourism secretary, Francesc Colomer, explained that this funding programme, published this Tuesday in the Official Gazette of the Generalitat Valenciana, “has the purpose of continuing to encourage the recovery of tourist activity with initiatives aimed at reactivating the provision of tourist services of added value throughout this year”.

According to Colomer, “the digital transformation, the transition towards a more sustainable tourism model, greater resilience and guarantee, combined with security provided by anti-Covid measures and the adaptation of the offer to comprehensive accessibility parameters, are some of the bases that must support eligible projects”, he specified.

The regional head of tourism insisted that “this line of aid to companies aims to support the sector, in hard times like the current one, and help them keep the tourist offer alive, highlighting its authenticity and uniqueness”.

Ane he pointed out that “as a novelty, the 2022 funding has two specific programmes that will allow, on the one hand, to subsidize up to 80% of the cost of new competitiveness and marketing projects whilst, on the other hand, assist musical, sporting and cultural events with up to 70% of their total investment”.

This is the highest percentage of aid granted to date in this line of aid from Turisme Comunitat Valenciana; and in both cases, the maximum amount per beneficiary will be 100,000 euros.

To be eligible for the aid, companies must be registered on the Tourism Registry. Businsses adhering to regional tourism’s own programmes, such as the promotion of the CreaTurisme tourism product, the LExquisit Mediterrani gastrotourism brand, the Mediterranew Musix initiative or the SICTED CV programme, which grants the distinctive “Commitment to Tourist Quality”, are also eligible.

The period for submitting applications open at 10.00am on Thursday 10th February and will remain open until 11:59pm on Tuesday 1st March. Unlike the 2021 aid package, the order of application will not determine the application’s success in the 2022 aid programme, but rather those projects that obtain the highest score evaluation will be offered the funding.

3.8 million euros to boost tourism competitiveness

This funding initiative has two different programmes. The first is aimed at the Promotion of the Competitiveness of Companies and the Marketing of Tourist Products, endowed with 3,800,000 euros.

It should be noted that only tourism companies registered in the Valencia Region Tourism Registry can apply for these aids, including hotels, campsites, tourist apartments, housing management companies for tourist use, rural accommodation, travel agencies and active tourism companies. In addition, companies and associations adhering to the CreaTurisme, LExquisit Mediterrani program or that have the “Commitment to Tourist Quality” badge are also eligible.

Each applicant may submit a single project related to the improvement of digitization, security and resilience of processes, services and products as well as the promotion and communication for the marketing of tourist products and experiences, such as participation in fairs and promotional actions.

Successful applicants can receive up to 80% of the total cost, up to a maximum of 100,000 euros. Aid is not offered for projects whose eligible cost is less than 6,000 euros, with the exception of companies and associations adhered to SICTED, CreaTurisme and LExquisit Mediterrani, in which case the minimum amount may be 3,000 euros.

2.5 million euros to promote festivals and cultural events

The second programme is the promotion of musical, sporting and cultural events with a tourist impact, endowed with 2,500,000 euros.

Specifically, companies, associations, federations or foundations organizing sporting and cultural events that are held during 2022 and have a tourism impact can benefit from this aid as well as companies and associations participating in the Mediterranew Musix programme.

Each applicant may submit a single application for a single event, from musical activities, championships, tests and sports concentrations, as well as cultural activities linked to the performing arts.

Successful applicants can receive up to 70% of the total cost, up to a maximum of 100,000 euros. Aid is not offered for events whose eligible cost is less than 10,000 euros.

Finally, it should be noted that in the coming days, Turisme Comunitat Valenciana will be organizing information sessions aimed at companies and associations in the three provinces to expand the information on this 2022 aid package and be able to answer questions from potential beneficiaries.

Interested parties should click here for more information.