Villena Seeks Recognition as a Prominent Tourist Municipality

The Villena Department of Tourism has requested the Conselleria to declare the city as a Prominent Tourist Municipality of the Valencian Community. This measure would allow Villena to enjoy greater dissemination and promotion through the Conselleria's channels, as well as greater access to various sources of funding and subsidies for the development of the local tourism sector.

The 56% increase in hotel accommodations from 2021 to 2023 supports this request, according to the City Council. Villena currently offers 331 hotel accommodations, compared to 212 recorded in 2021. This increase has occurred across all types of lodging: hotels and hostels, rural accommodation, and tourist apartments. Specifically, accommodations in hotels and hostels have increased from 56 to 83, rural accommodation from 35 to 48, and tourist apartments from 83 to 162. Meanwhile, the number of camping spots has remained at 38.

Tourism Councillor Paula García believes that "this increase in hotel accommodations is what has prompted the Department to request the new classification as a Prominent Tourist Municipality, which will not only bring greater recognition or prestige for our municipality in the regional tourism landscape but also an increase in the annual amount that Turisme Comunitat Valenciana offers Villena to cover the costs generated by tourism activities."

Villena meets the requirements for this new regional classification thanks to its consolidated tourism offerings and resources, the sustained increase in the number of visits year after year, as well as the rise in hotel accommodations, according to the government team. The city already holds the status of a Unique Tourist Municipality since March 2023 and now aims for higher recognition that will further benefit its consolidated tourism offerings and resources.

Currently, there are 64 municipalities classified as tourist destinations in the Valencian Community: 18 in the categories of Prominence and Excellence, and 28 in the category of Uniqueness. Villena's inclusion in the Prominence category will not only bring greater prestige but also an increase in annual aids from Turisme Comunitat Valenciana, aimed at covering the costs generated by tourism activities in the municipality. This recognition will allow Villena to continue developing its tourism sector, attracting more visitors, and improving the quality of services offered.

Villena's request for recognition as a Prominent Tourist Municipality is an important step towards consolidating its position as one of the most attractive destinations in the Valencian Community. With a constantly growing tourism offering and expanding hotel infrastructure, Villena is ready to welcome an increasing number of tourists, thus contributing to the economic and social development of the region.