- This edition of Spain Talks, held on September 25th in Manhattan, marks the first time the event has been hosted outside Europe.
- The event brought together tourism leaders from Spain and the United States to promote more sustainable and responsible tourism.
- Spain Talks: Caring for the Future has established itself as a key platform for sustainability dialogue in major international markets.
The Spanish Tourism Institute (Turespaña), through the Tourism Office in New York and with support from Turismo Lanzarote, Turismo de Mallorca, and Valencia Tourism, organized Spain Talks: Caring for the Future in New York on September 25, marking the first time the event has been hosted outside Europe. This gathering brought together 60 tourism professionals and sustainability experts to discuss strategies that strengthen Spain’s commitment to sustainable tourism.
Held as part of Climate Week events, the gathering featured tourism leaders from Spain and the United States who aimed to promote more responsible tourism practices. Spain Talks: Caring for the Future has become a critical platform for exploring the latest developments in sustainability to enhance cooperation among industry experts.
The discussions were moderated by Johanna Jainchill, journalist and editor of Travel Weekly, and Magí Castelltort, Spanish Consul for Tourism Affairs in New York. Topics included trends in sustainable tourism products, marketing strategies for environmentally conscious destinations, and tourism’s positive impact on local communities.
Panelists included Russell Walters, North America Regional Director for the Adventure Travel Trade Association; Dianna Ditto, Senior Product Marketing Director at Collette; Juan José González Álvarez, Sales Director for Paradores; Nancy Mammana, Chief Marketing Officer and interim CEO of NYC Tourism & Conventions; Christian Wolters, General Manager of North America Marketing at Intrepid Travel; Teresa Parejo, Director of Sustainability at Iberia; Shannon Guihan, Chief Sustainability Officer for The Travel Corporation; Prisca Sánchez, Vice President of Global Marketing at Global Citizen; Chase Poffenberger, Executive Vice President of Academic Travel Abroad; and Erika Harms, Global Sustainability Director for the Iberostar Group.
Representatives from leading sustainable tourism destinations in Spain also participated, including Héctor Fernández, CEO of the Lanzarote Tourism Board; Susanna Sciacovelli, Director of the Mallorca Tourism Board; and Israel Martínez, General Director of the Valencia Tourism Board, who highlighted efforts by their respective regions to implement initiatives that foster environmentally respectful tourism.
Awards for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism
During the event, the Sustainable Tourism Awards ceremony recognized excellence in the categories of Media Award, Ambassador Award, Experience Award, and Business Award, honoring media outlets, content creators, companies, and tourism products dedicated to responsible practices:
The jury presented the Media Award to Travel Weekly for its coverage of Spain as a sustainable tourism destination, and the Ambassador Award to Sofía Pérez, an American journalist and sustainability advocate, for highlighting Spain as a leader in sustainable tourism.
Additionally, the Best Sustainable Tourism Project Award went to HE Travel, a company specializing in small group LGBTQ+ travel experiences, for its focus on environmentally and community-conscious travel. The Best ESG Business Project Award was presented to MaCher, a certified B Corp company supporting other tourism businesses in advancing sustainability efforts, carbon footprint reduction, recycling, and inclusive employment practices.
For more information:
Event Website: https://www.tourspain.es/consejerias/nueva-york/es/spain-talks/
Spain Talks Website: https://www.tourspain.es/es/eventos-spain-talks/
Turespaña Website: https://www.tourspain.es/es/
Contact:
Tourism Office in New York: nuevayork@tourspain.es
Media inquiries: prensa@tourspain.es
Twitter: @Turespana_
