SICTED awards presented to 31 tourist services at the CDT in Torrevieja

The Torrevieja Tourism Centre (CdT) hosted the ceremony awarding SICTED distinctions to 31 municipal tourism businesses and services that have met the requirements of this tourism quality system. The event was presided over by the Mayor of Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolón; the Councillor for Tourism, Commerce and Hospitality, Rosario Martínez; and the Director General of Tourism of the Valencian Regional Government's Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Israel Martínez Fernández.

Prior to the awards ceremony, an information session was held to discuss the methodological transformation of the Comprehensive System for Tourism Quality in Destinations (SICTED), promoted by the State Secretariat for Tourism. This evolution involves adapting the program to a new, more sustainable and intelligent model, aligned with the current realities of the tourism sector. Representatives from other companies participating in the SICTED system also attended the event to learn about the new methodology and the process of adapting to the new tourism quality model.

The SICTED, previously known as the Comprehensive System of Tourism Quality in Destinations, is now defined as "Sustainability, Intelligence and Tourism Quality in the Destination Ecosystem", thus reinforcing its commitment to economic, social and environmental sustainability, as well as to innovation and the use of advanced technological tools.

This model proposes a system of support for actors in the tourism ecosystem in the implementation of good practices focused on quality and sustainability as strategic pillars to improve the competitiveness of tourist destinations.

In addition, the new SICTED incorporates a new management platform and a revamped website, www.sicted.es, tools that will streamline implementation processes and reduce the bureaucratic burden for companies and administrations.

Torrevieja joined this system in 2014. Turisme Comunitat Valenciana finances the training, consulting, and evaluation services necessary for its implementation, so there is no cost to participating businesses. All of this is carried out through the collaboration agreement between the regional government and the Chambers of Commerce.

Currently, Torrevieja boasts 67 companies recognized by the program and a total of 103 participating in the initiative. Furthermore, the municipality encompasses 19 of the 36 trades included in the SICTED program, encompassing eight municipal resources and services: six beaches, the Tourist Information Office, the Local Police, and the La Mata-Torrevieja Natural Park.

The sectors with the highest number of distinguished services are bars and cafes, restaurants, shops, hotels and tourist apartments.

In this edition, the following tourist services and companies have received the SICTED distinction: Nautical Activities, El Abuelo Apartments, Hotel Madrid, Marina Internacional Apartments, Barlovento Restaurant, El Parking, Velice Discoteca, Vela Beach Restaurant, La Fusión, Cai Salud, El Charro Negro, Gloria Beach Bar, Pura Vida Kiosk, Lloyd's Beach Club, Nieves Gifts, Ociomar Torrevieja, Patio Andaluz, Cabo Cervera Beach, Cala Piteras Beach, Los Náufragos Beach, Playa del Cura, Torrevieja Local Police, Qtalgourmet, Chinatown Restaurant, La Mata “El Felisa” Restaurant, Las Cañas Restaurant, Las Columnas Restaurant, El Muelle Restaurant, Tasca Nueva Bahía, Maskmundo Travel and Yacht Tex Spain.

There are currently 284 SICTED destinations throughout Spain. The Valencian Community ranks second nationally with 1,563 distinguished tourist services, behind Andalusia and ahead of Galicia and the Region of Murcia.