Albacete has been presented in Madrid as a prominent destination for star tourism, an initiative that emphasises the potential of its night skies and its commitment to a tourism model linked to nature, landscape heritage, and sustainability.
The event was led by Pedro Antonio Ruiz Santos, the regional delegate of the Junta; Raquel Ruiz, the provincial deputy for Tourism; Raúl Moreno, the vice president of the APEHT; and Antonia Varela, the director of the Starlight Foundation. The presentation attracted accredited media and content creators from the leisure, travel, and lifestyle sectors.
During his speech, Ruiz Santos highlighted the significance of the Castilla-La Mancha Tourism Office in Madrid, emphasising that attracting visitors requires an active commitment to promoting inland destinations and showcasing their unique resources. He argued that inland tourism has evolved from a secondary activity to an increasingly vital driver of the regional economy, bolstered by the growth of tourist accommodations, hotels, campsites, and hospitality establishments, as well as the utilisation of the region's natural, scenic, and gastronomic resources.
Raquel Ruiz, the Tourism Deputy, praised the efforts of the Albacete Provincial Council in achieving Starlight Certification across the region, noting that in 2024, it became the first province in the world to have all its districts certified as Starlight Tourist Destinations. This international recognition attests to the quality of its night skies and the region's commitment to their preservation.
Ruiz explained the origins of the project and its development, mentioning the existing Telescope Observatory in Nerpio as a foundational advantage. She asserted that they were aware of the potential they possessed from the outset. The deputy underscored the significance of the Starlight Certification for the province, stating that astrotourism “opens the door to its promotion and visibility, encouraging visitors attracted by our skies to also discover our heritage and diverse tourism offerings.”
Finally, Raquel Ruiz noted that Albacete is one of the regions experiencing the highest growth in visitor numbers and overnight stays, detailing that “more visitors are coming and staying longer.”
Antonia Varela, director of the Starlight Foundation, emphasised the importance of looking to the sky, highlighting the night sky as a unique resource capable of generating new tourism experiences and contributing to the revitalisation of rural areas in Spain.
