Barcelona Tourism Update for Insiders

January 31, 2009
Issue #07

Table of Content

NEWS & WHAT´S ON?

1. Barcelona To Host The 2009 Travel Convention

2. Barcelona among the World's Culture Capitals

3. Dutch architect to design new Barcelona district

4. The Mirador de l'Alcalde is restored for the people of Barcelona

5. Better lighting for Barcelona

HOT DEALS!

1. Special Offers February 2009!

2. Madonna extends’ Sticky & Sweet Tour with concerts in Barcelona

3. Learn Spanish and Flamenco!

1. Barcelona To Host The 2009 Travel Convention

"For the first time in ABTA’s history, the City of Barcelona will be the venue for The 2009 Travel Convention, which will be held between 6th and 8th of October 2009. Ignacio Vasallo, Director, Spanish Tourist office, said: “The relationship between Spain and the UK travel industry is a key priority for the Spanish Tourist Office and we are delighted that Barcelona has been chosen as the venue for one of the UK travel industry’s most important events - the fourth year running that Spain has been selected". Our figures show that we welcomed over 16 million UK visitors in 2007 and Barcelona is one of the UK’s most popular destinations".

More details here

2. Barcelona among the World's Culture Capitals

"In 2007, 898 million people were classified as cultural tourists, compared with 538 million in 1995, according to a Jan. 14 report released by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a Paris-based group of 30 democratic countries that provides economic and social statistics and data.

It wasn't until the early 2000s--when the city launched a campaign promoting the historic importance of Catalonian architect Antoni Gaudí's work --that true culture vultures took notice. What Barcelona has done very successfully is develop culture first and foremost. In return, they've seen an increase in tourism."

Read full article here

3. Dutch architect to design new Barcelona district

"An international jury has asked the Dutch architect Kees Kaan to design a new neighborhood on the outskirts of Barcelona. Kaan created the winning design for a neighborhood in the municipality of El Prat, which lies between the airport and the centre of the Spanish city.

It is not yet possible to buy an apartment in the new neighborhood. The Dutch architect expects that it will take around 20 years before the entire project is completed. However, the first concrete results will be visible in five years."

Read full article here

4. The Mirador de l'Alcalde is restored for the people of Barcelona
"Around 3,000 people took part in the public celebration held to unveil the renovated Mirador de l'Alcalde, which has been restored as part of the urban planning project being carried out in Montjuïc. The Mirador de l'Alcalde was opened in 1969 by the mayor José María Porcioles, from which you can find a panoramic view of the Port of Barcelona.

The floor of the Mirador is a mosaic made from ceramics, iron bits and pieces of glass bottles, a work created by the artist Joan Josep Tharrats. The central feature of the park is the Mirador's fountain, which was designed by Carles Buigas who also created the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc.

Read full article here

4. Better lighting for Barcelona

Better lighting for main streets, business centres and several parks. Barcelona City Council will improve the lighting in a number of streets and parks. The City Council will invest 62 million Euros in improvements to the city's street lighting, according to the fifth-in-line Deputy Mayor, Imma Mayol, who explained that 30,000 of the city's lighting points would be changed, even though "Barcelona complies with international lighting recommendations".

Read full article here

1. Special Offers February 2009!

Your Romantic Barcelona February Special Offers are here! Be enchanted by the fantastic February Specials ranging from romantic hotels to private and quaint B&B’s! These special offers will ensure a Valentine’s Day filled with the tranquility you are looking for at a great price. Just concentrate on the romance!!!

Make your reservations!

2. Madonna extends’ Sticky & Sweet Tour with concerts in Barcelona

The "Queen of Pop" is to resume her' Sticky & Sweet Tour'. Following the success of last year, Madonna has extended the tour of her latest material, which will continue in Spain on July 21, in Barcelona. "I am looking forward to getting back on the road and visit places I've never been and to return to places that I love," Madonna said in a live interview.

Buy your tickets here!

3. Learn Spanish and Flamenco!

Because of the influence and growing demand of flamenco around the world, don Quijote once again decides to offer a Spanish specialized course in which students will have the opportunity to learn how to dance flamenco.

It consists of an intensive Spanish course (20 hours per week) combined with 8 hours per week of flamenco dancing course. The flamenco course is flexible and its content adapts to students’ schedules and language level in order to get the most out of the class while also having fun.

Book your course here

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