The mayor of Vigo, Abel Caballero, presented the city's tourism model during the VI Turespaña Convention held in Zaragoza. He emphasised the significant role of the Nadal festival in enhancing the city's international profile, stating, "In Vigo, we invented the 21st-century Nadal."
Caballero explained how the city identified a tourist demand that previously lacked a specific offering, transforming Vigo from a predominantly industrial city into a burgeoning tourist destination. He noted that the Nadal festival attracts approximately 2.5 million visitors, turning what was once a low season for tourism into a period of robust economic activity.
According to the mayor, occupancy rates in Vigo have risen from below 10% during off-peak times to between 70% and 80% due to the success of the Nadal festival. He asserted, "The Nadal has boosted tourism throughout the year," highlighting its media impact as a key factor in its promotion.
Looking ahead, Caballero announced that the 2026 edition of the Nadal festival will exceed all previous iterations, stating, "This time we will surpass everything we have done so far."
During his address, the mayor also showcased the diverse tourist offerings in Vigo, including free concerts at Castrelos, international sporting events like O Marisquiño, the city's beaches, the Cíes Islands, and local gastronomy. He referenced the urban transformation driven by the Vigo Vertical programme, which enhances mobility through mechanical ramps, stairs, and elevators, further enriching the visitor experience.
Caballero participated in a roundtable discussion alongside representatives from Granada, Alquézar, and Tarragona, focusing on how local destinations can gain greater international visibility through their unique identities. He underscored the importance of developing distinctive proposals and highlighted the resilience of the tourism sector, stating, "Tourism is a very stable industry. People will stop doing other things before they stop travelling."
