Aragon boasts nature, heritage and villages capable of stopping the traveller among cobbled streets, arcaded squares, castles and landscapes that preserve the essence of the rural environment. A total of 15 municipalities in the community have the endorsement of the network of The Most Beautiful Villages of Spain and, to strengthen their collaboration and increase the tourist projection of these towns, this Thursday the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of Spain in Aragon has been constituted in Zaragoza, with the support of the regional government.
The signing of the statutes was held in the Zurita room of the Pignatelli building, in a ceremony attended by the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Luis Biendicho; the Director General of Tourism and Hospitality, María Nogueras; the President of the Association of the Communities of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain, Francisco Mestre, and the president of the new Aragonese entity and mayor of Linares de Mora, Yolanda Sevilla. The mayors and representatives of the 15 municipalities that make up this network in the community have also participated.
Seville has been the first to stamp its signature on the founding act. Afterwards, the municipal representatives have been passing one by one to sign statutes that aim to turn an already consolidated tourist recognition into a tool for permanent cooperation. The association is made up of Aínsa, Alquézar, Anento, Ansó, Albarracín, Calaceite, Cantavieja, La Fresneda, Linares de Mora, Mirambel, Puertomingalvo, Roda de Isábena, Rubielos de Mora, Sos del Rey Católico and Valderrobres.
tourism to improve the lives of neighbors
The president of the new association has defended that the project was born with «enthusiasm», but also with «an enormous responsibility»: to represent and protect some of the municipalities with the greatest heritage, cultural and landscape wealth in Aragon. «I have never understood a position as a personal recognition, but as a commitment to work,» said Yolanda Sevilla, who insisted that tourism must serve to improve the lives of residents, generate employment, create economic activity and help fix population.
Seville has also recalled the daily effort that exists behind the careful image offered by these towns. «We manage towns where people live,» he stressed. For this reason, he has called for collaboration, investment and institutional support to develop joint projects, maintain heritage and ensure that the seal of The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain is much more than a promotional brand.
For his part, the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Luis Biendicho, considered that the constitution of the association is an important step for the municipalities to have a common voice and to be able to coordinate their promotion. «Today we are not only talking about tourism. We are talking about heritage, history, landscape, traditions and a way of life that is an essential part of our identity,» he said.
Biendicho has defended a tourism model based on quality, authenticity, deseasonalization and the link with the territory. According to the data presented during the event, tourism represents 10.7% of Aragon’s gross domestic product, generates an impact of more than 4,100 million euros and supports around 67,000 direct and indirect jobs. However, the minister stressed that its importance transcends economic figures: «Tourism is a tool to keep our towns alive».
THIS IS HOW THE NEW ARAGONESE ASSOCIATION WILL WORK
The new entity will allow the 15 municipalities to coordinate projects and maintain a more direct dialogue with the administrations. Among its main objectives are to strengthen inland tourism promotion, conserve the historical, cultural and natural heritage, revitalize the rural environment and facilitate access to programs and aid promoted by the different institutions.
The regional association will also promote the exchange of experiences between municipalities that share similar difficulties: small municipalities, with limited resources, but obliged to preserve a heritage of great value and to attend to a growing arrival of visitors. The objective will be to move towards balanced tourism, capable of generating opportunities without putting at risk the identity, the landscape or the daily life of the residents.
The president of the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain, Francisco Mestre, stressed that Aragon had a leading role from the first steps of the national network, initially contributing five municipalities – Albarracín, Valderrobres, Puertomingalvo, Rubielos de Mora and Calaceite. They were later joined by other towns until reaching the current 15. Mestre has defined them as «the crème de la crème» of Aragon and has trusted that the new structure will facilitate the relationship with the regional executive. «Our towns are not just promotion, they are many other things,» he warned.
For Mestre, the main value of these towns lies in the fact that they combine beauty, gastronomy, traditions and authenticity. «It is the most beautiful way to get to know Aragon,» he said, before wishing that the entity will last and manage to develop common projects with the help of the Aragonese Government.
The general director of Tourism and Hospitality, María Nogueras, has celebrated that Aragon becomes the second autonomous community to constitute an association of these characteristics. «It will allow greater structuring, joint work and the support of the Department of Tourism,» he explained. Nogueras has described the 15 municipalities as «a solemn repertoire of ancient beauty» in which the traveller can still find authenticity. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, it has highlighted its commitment to quality and tourism sustainability, two essential requirements to be part of the national network.
The constitution of the association gives continuity to the collaboration initiated in 2018 between the Government of Aragon and the municipalities of the network. Since then, national and international campaigns, new audiovisual content, promotional materials and actions have been promoted together with Turespaña. The villages have also been incorporated into the catalogue «Aragon, luxury experiences» and routes designed in collaboration with the Michelin Guide.
