CMT 2014
The Costa Brava and Pirineu de Girona was the guest tourist destination at Europe's biggest camping and caravanning trade fair.
MARCH 2014
From 10 to 19 January, the Government of Catalonia's Catalan Tourism Agency, the Provincial Council of Girona's Costa Brava Girona Tourism Board and the Campsite Association of Girona successfully took part in Europe's most important camping and caravanning fair, the CMT in Stuttgart, Germany. They were joined in a special area in the Catalonia stand by representatives of fifteen Girona campsites: Aquàrius, Las Dunas, La Ballena Alegre 2, Bassegoda Park, Cala Gogó, Las Palmeras, Bella Terra, Cala Llevadó, Vell Empordà, Delfín Verde, Salatà, Illa Mateua, Internacional de Calonge, Àmfora and Neus.
During the fair, seven Girona campsites received the 2014 Best Campsite Award from two European motoring associations, Germany's ADAC and the Dutch ANWB. This recognition will be reflected in the ADAC's travel guide, a key publication for campers, where the seven campsites will all be listed with five stars: Les Medes, in l’Estartit; Cypsela Resort in Pals; Mas Sant Josep in Santa Cristina d’Aro; La Ballena Alegre, L’Àmfora and Las Dunas in Sant Pere Pescador and El Delfin Verde in Torroella de Montgrí. Five campsites received this award in the rest of Catalonia, and just three in the rest of Spain.
Figures for camping activities in the area, and on the profile of German tourists in Catalonia, were given at a press conference. Although most campsites are only open during the summer months, there were over 7.5 million overnight stays in 2013. In 2012, the sector's income totalled 149 million euros from accommodation and 26 million euros from services. The knock-on effect on the economy, outside the campsites, is estimated at 206 million euros. Girona is the only province in Spain with more bed places in campsites than in hotels, with over 120,000 places.
As the fair's guest destination, the Costa Brava and Pirineu de Girona organised musical events performed by the GiOrquestra and the singer Nina, as well as cultural activities with the mediaeval group Els Berros de la Cort and sessions to showcase the region's gastronomical specialities.
The Costa Brava Girona Tourism Board and the Campsite Association of Girona had their own space at the Catalan Tourism Agency's stand at the CMT, from which they distributed information on the region's attractions for tourists in the 2014 season: active and nature tourism, culture, gastronomy and events.
