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Turisme promotes the Valencian Community as a welcoming and diverse destination at Manchester Pride

The Minister of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism has travelled to Manchester to promote the LGBTQ+ offer of the Valencian Community
Montes points out that it is one of the “most important festivals in the world” and that the LGTBQ+ segment already accounts for 10% of the market share.

For the first time, Turisme Comunitat Valenciana is participating in the Manchester Pride celebrations taking place this weekend. The aim is to promote the Valencian Community's tourist offerings specialised for the LGBTQ+ segment.

The regional minister for Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism, Nuria Montes, has travelled to Manchester to promote the Valencian Community's tourist offer as a welcoming and diverse destination for the LGBTQ+ community attending Manchester Pride, “one of the most important in the world”.

Montes stressed that “opening up to this type of tourism not only generates wealth, but also provides an educational element that allows destinations that receive it to begin the path towards a much more diverse and inclusive society.” He also highlighted that this segment already represents “10% of the total share of the tourism market and stressed that “we are the only autonomous community that attends this event, and that includes scheduled meetings with some of the most important tourism agents in Europe.”

In this regard, he highlighted the Consell's commitment to LGBTQ+ tourism and stressed that it is not just a tourist product but "a product of values, solidarity, transversality and diversity."

Councillor Nuria Montes is attending Manchester Pride this weekend, where she has held various meetings to boost promotional activities and the visibility of the Valencian Community in the main international issuing market.

Specifically, this Saturday she participated in a working breakfast offered by the Pride organization, with the organization and participants of Manchester Pride.

In addition, this afternoon the Minister has scheduled a meeting with a representative of the Spanish Tourist Office to analyse promotional activities and the situation of the British market, and has also scheduled a meeting with the tour operator Kuoni Travel to study possible collaborations.

Turisme CV presents the Valencian Community's tourist offer in Manchester in a 9 m2 space in the exhibitor area known as Community Lane at Manchester Price. In this way, the entire tourist offer of the destination is promoted, focusing on the offer most in demand by the LGBTQ+ community. In this sense, the promotion of the celebration of the Gay Games in the city of Valencia in 2026 stands out.

It should be noted that the Spanish Tourist Office is strengthening the presence of the Valencian Community by sharing a stand, where Visit Benidorm, the preferred destination of the British market, is also participating.

Manchester Pride is one of the most important events in the LGBTQ+ calendar in the United Kingdom and represents a privileged framework to promote tourism in the Valencian Community in the main international source market.

A
ccording to figures from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the LGBT community represents 10% of all international travelers, spending 165 billion dollars annually worldwide. It also represents the segment with the highest growth rate, 10.3% annually.

British tourism in the Valencian Community
According to the latest data published by the INE regarding the results of the first half of 2024, the United Kingdom remains the most important nationality for the Valencian Community, with the arrival of 1,419,811 Britons until June, 18.7% more than in 2023.

Furthermore, it is the market that has contributed most to the increase in accumulated foreign spending in the Valencian Community, spending 1,578 million euros during the first six months of the year, 33% more than in the same half of the previous year.

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

Regional overview: steady pre-summer momentum

Across the Costa Blanca, including Benidorm, Altea, L’Alfàs del Pi (Albir), La Nucía and Finestrat, the region is entering a strong early-season phase with increasing visitor numbers, expanding nightlife, and a growing calendar of small cultural and leisure events ahead of the main summer period.

Markets, live music, coastal tourism and community events continue to dominate activity this week, alongside ongoing infrastructure improvements such as new sustainability and mobility projects.

BENIDORM – Markets, nightlife and tourism growth

Weekly street markets in Benidorm remain a key attraction, including Wednesday and Sunday general markets offering food, clothing and local goods.

The Old Town continues to host craft stalls and informal street entertainment, while evening activity is increasing as the summer season approaches.

Live music is now a nightly feature across main entertainment zones, with tribute acts, DJs and bar performances contributing to strong visitor activity.

Tourism officials also note continued preparation for upcoming seasonal events, including the build-up toward traditional spring and early summer festivals.

ALTEA – Culture and coastal leisure

Altea continues to focus on cultural tourism and relaxation, with art galleries, artisan shops and small exhibitions operating throughout the Old Town.

Live acoustic performances and low-key entertainment are taking place across seafront bars, while boat excursions from Altea harbour are operating regular coastal and sunset sailing routes depending on weather conditions.

ALBIR / L’ALFÀS DEL PI – Community events and live music

L'Alfàs del Pi and the Albir area maintain a steady mix of expat and local activity.

Weekly Friday markets remain popular, while Irish pubs and live music venues continue to host regular bands and acoustic performances.

The Casa de Cultura is also hosting community exhibitions, theatre and social events throughout the week.

LA NUCÍA – Sports and weekend activity

La Nucia continues to centre around sports tourism, with its major sports complex hosting training camps and competitive events.

The Sunday rastro flea market remains a key attraction, drawing visitors from across the region.

FINESTRAT – Coastal leisure and markets

Finestrat is experiencing growing beachfront activity as beach bars and restaurants reopen for the warmer season.

Markets in La Cala continue on Tuesdays and Saturdays, offering local produce and artisan goods, while sunset dining and relaxed evening entertainment are becoming more frequent.

VILLAJOYOSA – Culture, coastline and local life

Villajoyosa is experiencing steady early-season activity, supported by its historic old town, colourful seafront and growing cultural tourism offer.

Local markets and small artisan trading continue throughout the week, while the seafront promenade is seeing increased footfall as warmer weather returns.

The town also maintains its reputation for traditional fishing heritage, chocolate production history, and quiet beach tourism, offering a more relaxed contrast to nearby resort centres.

INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE – Benidorm EV expansion

Alongside tourism growth, Benidorm is also continuing its sustainability rollout, including new electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the Levante area as part of its broader mobility and climate strategy.

The project forms part of EU-backed funding aimed at supporting low-emission transport across major Mediterranean destinations.

REGIONAL SUMMARY

Benidorm: busiest hub with nightlife, markets and entertainment growth
Altea: cultural, scenic and relaxed
Albir / L’Alfàs del Pi: balanced social and live music scene
La Nucía: sports-led and residential
Finestrat: beach-focused and seasonal lifestyle
Villajoyosa: coastal heritage, relaxed tourism and local culture

The Costa Blanca continues its gradual transition into peak tourist season, with activity levels rising steadily across all major towns.

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Turisme promotes the Valencian Community as a welcoming and diverse destination at Manchester Pride

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

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