Any excuse is good to engage in politics. The City Councils of Madrid and Valencia signed yesterday at the Fitur Tourism Fair an action protocol to establish general lines of collaboration between the two cities in terms of promoting tourism activities and policies. In November of last year, after the political change in the Valencian City Council, there was talk of creating "a first-rate cultural axis" between the two capitals, which was finalized yesterday in terms of tourism. The first big event will be a great mascletà that will be held in Madrid on February 18.
And all in a context, which was not hidden by the president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, who witnessed the signing of the agreement -Isabel Díaz Ayuso was not present, an example of who it was more important to-, of turning Valencia into a "second city from Spain". "It is on its way to being one," commented the regional leader after celebrating the agreement.
The mayor of València, María José Català, had previously explained it. "Our objective is to share and not compete, and that is why we are going to develop joint projects to take a leap in quality to the pride we have and that we feel for our cities. We are a land of art and culture and I believe that is the best outlet to show our cities and invite everyone to visit them," said the mayor. Thus, it seems that the competition is only reserved to surpass Barcelona.
Since the municipal elections were held, collaboration between both regions has strengthened. In December, a large business and political summit was held to successfully demand the expansion of the Port of Valencia and to build a political alliance of demands before the central government. A kind of axis of prosperity 2.0.
Catalá explained yesterday that "the two municipal governments share a very clear strategic line: promoting our cultural heritage as an asset and tourist attraction." Almeida added that the signed agreement “deepens the existing commercial and tourist ties between two fundamental cities”, which are “strategic poles” of tourist attraction for Spain, and added that, for the people of Madrid, the Valencian Community and, particularly, the city of Valencia, “are essential and favorite destinations.”
The mayor of Madrid, who has a very good relationship with his Valencian counterpart, did not miss the opportunity to applaud the first months of Catalá's management at the head of the City Council and his commitment to carry out in Valencia "the biggest tax reduction and improve its security".
The protocol signed yesterday provides for the creation of a stable working group for the exchange of information and knowledge related to the initiatives that are of interest to promote, as well as participation in joint projects at a local, national or international level. At the same time, we are committed to creating channels that bring companies from each city into contact in their different disciplines, such as the creation of forums or reverse promotion days in each of the cities and increasing mutual knowledge between the citizens of the two City Councils. by promoting cultural, tourist and leisure events held in each of the cities.
It should be noted that, during the opening day of Fitur, the mayor of Madrid also signed a tourism collaboration protocol with the Seville City Council, also governed by the PP.
