The Catalan capital, Biosphere certified destination since 2011, has received the award for best tourism management in the category 'Overall Winner', the main category of the awards. The jury recognized the initiative of Barcelona to separate the promotion from management, as well as to transversally tackle the tourism phenomenon, considering that their experience should inspire other destinations.

Likewise, Barcelona has been recognized in the 'Best for Managing Success' category for the best tourism management in the context of sustainability. In this second category, the jury has assessed the 2020 Strategic Tourism Plan of the city, the joint efforts by the Barcelona City Council and Tourism of Barcelona and the strategies that have been promoted so that tourism is more adapted to the needs of the Catalan capital.

The Councillor for Tourism, Agustín Colom, explained that these awards give recognition to the change that has been made in the city, which addresses the management 'from a sustainable and responsible tourism' view and that balances this activity with community life. Similarly, the director of Tourism of Barcelona and responsible for collecting the awards last Tuesday, Joan Torrella, pointed out that the recognition of Barcelona is not only because it has managed to be a sustainable city but because 'its way of approaching the phenomenon of tourism, with all its complexity, departs from an integrating vision that seeks balance in the city'. 

World Travel Market is one of the benchmark events of the sector and brings together, annually in London, those responsible for tourism, hoteliers, tour operators and agents within the international tourism sector.

From RTI we would like to offer our most sincere congratulations to the Catalan capital for obtaining both awards and for their commitment to sustainability and all that it entails.