Local & Spanish

Carlos Mazón: "We allocate more than 3.5 million to the promotion of the Valencian Community as a gastronomic destination"

The head of the Council visited D*na Festival where he toured the exhibitors participating in this competition

The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, has announced that the Council will allocate more than 3.5 million euros in actions aimed at promoting the Valencian Community as a gastronomic destination and at training the sector to improve its employability and efficiency.

He stated this during his visit to the VII edition of D*na Festival, in which he was accompanied by the Minister of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Nuria Montes, the mayor of Dénia, Vicent Grimalt, and the gastronomic curator of the festival, Quique Dacosta, and where the exhibitors participating in this competition have travelled.

The head of the Council highlighted the contribution of events such as D*na or Alacant Gastronòmica to vindicate indigenous and local cuisine, and position us as "a gastronomic reference". Likewise, he has claimed the work, professionalism and talent of the sector to "walk towards excellence".

The president indicated that the Valencian Community "has a sun, a sea and a land that we have been able to convert with sustainability, respect and balance into flavour, talent, elaboration and love for our products".

Mazón explained that 25% of the tourists who come to this region are attracted by the gastronomic product and, in addition, their average spending exceeds that of other segments by 30%. Thus, he pointed out that "gastronomic tourism produces a tractor effect that complements the sun and beach or our indoor offer".

D*na Festival 2024
D*na Festival 2024 puts the emphasis on the artisans of the local garden to celebrate the recipes and products that make the gastronomic offer of the Valencian Community unique. The festival seals the commitment to the venue with the participation of restaurateurs, producers, artisans and hoteliers from the Marina Alta.

The contest is organised by the Fundació Creativa Dénia de la Gastronomia, in collaboration with the Dénia City Council and the Generalitat through Turisme Comunitat Valenciana, as well as with the Costa Blanca Provincial Tourism Board and the three Michelin star chef , Quique Dacosta, as gastronomic curator.

Its seventh edition consolidates it as one of the great gastronomic events in Spain and positions the city of Dénia - which in 2015 was named a Creative City of Gastronomy by UNESCO - as the gastronomic capital of the Mediterranean.

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

Overview

This week across Benidorm, Altea, Albir, Finestrat, and La Nucía is mainly:

Weekly markets and street trading

Live music in bars and small venues

Early spring coastal tourism activity (boat trips, promenades)

Small cultural events and exhibitions

Gradual build-up toward May festivals in Benidorm

BENIDORM – Events and Activity

Markets and street life

Wednesday and Sunday main street markets (large general markets for clothing, food, and goods)
Old Town craft stalls operating in the evenings
Night markets becoming more active as tourist season builds

Cultural activity

Early preparations and signage for the Medieval Market coming soon in central Benidorm
Small pop-up performances in Old Town squares (musicians, street entertainment)

Nightlife and entertainment

Live music every night across the main strips (cover bands, tribute acts, karaoke)
DJ sets and bar entertainment increasing toward peak season
Rooftop bars and terrace venues reopening more consistently

Overall feel

Benidorm is in an active pre-summer phase with strong nightlife and steady tourist flow.

ALTEA – Cultural and coastal atmosphere

Old Town and culture
Art galleries and artisan shops open daily
Small exhibitions and cultural displays in local venues

Live music

Acoustic and low-key live music in bars around Old Town and seafront areas
Occasional weekend performances in Irish and cocktail bars

Sea activities

Boat trips operating from Altea harbour including:
Coastal cruises
Sunset sailing trips
Swimming stops depending on weather conditions

Overall feel

Quiet, scenic, and cultural with a strong focus on relaxation rather than nightlife.

ALBIR / ALFÀS DEL PI – Mixed expat and local activity

Markets

Friday weekly street market with food, clothing, and household goods
Nearby Sunday markets in Altea also attract visitors from the area

Live music

Regular pub and bar entertainment, especially in Irish and rock-themed venues
Weekly live bands and acoustic performances across multiple venues

Cultural venues

Casa de Cultura hosting small theatre events, exhibitions, and community activities
Regular local group meetings and social clubs

Overall feel

Balanced area with both relaxed daytime atmosphere and active evenings.

LA NUCÍA – Local and sporting focus

Markets

Sunday rastro (large flea market with antiques, tools, clothes, and food stalls)
Entertainment
Occasional live music in local bars, mostly weekends

Sports activity

Large sports complex hosting training camps, tournaments, and weekend events

Overall feel

Quiet residential town with activity concentrated around weekends and sports events.

FINESTRAT – Beach and market lifestyle

Markets

Tuesday and Saturday markets in La Cala area with a mix of local produce and goods

Beachfront activity

Beach bars and restaurants increasingly open in the evenings
Sunset dining season beginning again

Entertainment

Low-key live music in beachfront bars rather than organised events

Overall feel

Relaxed coastal town focused on beach life and casual evenings.

OVERALL SUMMARY

Benidorm: busiest area with nightlife, markets, and entertainment

Altea: cultural, scenic, and relaxed

Albir / Alfàs del Pi: balanced mix of live music and expat social life

La Nucía: local, quiet, and sports-focused

Finestrat: beach-oriented and low-key

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Carlos Mazón: "We allocate more than 3.5 million to the promotion of the Valencian Community as a gastronomic destination"

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

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