Excelencias Awards Wraps Up FITUR 2024's Opening Day

At a ceremony held on Jan. 24 during the FITUR 2024 International Tourism Trade Fair, a total of 45 projects from 19 countries received awards as part of the Excelencias 2023 Awards, which the Excelencias Group presents to promote development in different fields related to tourism, gastronomy and culture in Ibero-America.

For this 19th edition of the awards, applicants submitted their nominations by December 22, 2023 through a web form, which, as every year, were reviewed and analyzed by an international jury made up of leading members of culture, gastronomy and international tourism.

On this occasion, institutions, companies and individuals from 25 countries participated and more than 2,000 applications were received. For the first time, popular voting was opened among the finalist projects, thus giving them the opportunity to receive the Excellence Awards from the Public. This initiative was very well received, with more than 31,000 votes in 5 days.

Jose Carlos de Santiago, president of the Excelencias Group, handed out the Excelencias Awards, and during his speech he thanked the 200-plus attendees, more than 50 authorities, award winners, finalists, guests and attendees for their presence, stressing that "year after year we try to be fair and even-handed". He also expressed that the Excelencias Awards can be a framework for people who don't have the economic capacity or the strength to present their project elsewhere to do so. He also alluded to the fact that Mexico has once again been one of the countries with the highest number of nominations and projects submitted to the Awards. He also stated that the Excelencias Group is proud of its 27 years of permanent work, which has been growing up to the present day.

Winning projects information and images HERE

CARIBBEAN NEWS DIGITAL AWARD

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

For having achieved the 10M tourists target, the work in the development of sustainable tourism in the creation of the best network of Caribbean tourism offices in the world.

 

EXCELENCIAS TURÍSTICAS 2023 AWARDS

CENTRAL AMERICA

AGENCY FOR THE PROMOTION OF TOURISM IN CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

For the project "Creation of tourism products with Artificial Intelligence".

GATHERED: Mr. Boris Iraheta - Secretary General of CATA accompanied by the ministers of: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Nicaragua.

 

COSTA RICA

ASUAIRE TRAVEL

For its sustainable management system

PICKED UP: Mrs. Cristina Calvo, Marketing and Sales Manager

 

CUBA

GRAND HOTEL ENGLAND

For its history since 1875, a national monument and heritage site

PICKED UP: Mr. Rasiel Tovar Rodriguez, President, Gran Caribe

 

ECUADOR

PICHINCHA TOURISM COMPANY, HALF OF THE WORLD

"CITY HALF OF THE WORLD" for becoming a center of experience.

PICKED UP: Mr. Jorge Eduardo Carrera, general manager

 

SPAIN

TOURISM & SOCIETY THINK TANK

For being a space for reflection, consultancy and advice for tourism and social

PICKED UP: Mr. Antonio Santos del Valle, Chairman

 

UNITED STATES

WORLD TRAVEL EXPO MIAMI

For promoting destinations and companies in the sector in the U.S. market.

PICKED UP: Mr. Javier Pérez Palencia, Manager

 

MEXICO

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF TOURISM OF MEXICO

For "Barrios Mágicos" extending the tourist offer

Miguel Torruco, Minister of Tourism

 

LIVE BEACH

For Regenerative Boutique Hotel with sustainability

Santos Ramírez Cuevas, Secretary of Tourism of the State of Guerrero.

 

CHARRO WORLD

To the theme park that creates unique and valuable Mexican experiences

PICKED UP: Mr. Daniel Guillermo Rebolledo Fernández, Chairman

 

SECRETARIAT OF TOURISM OF NUEVO LEÓN

By Xhant Hospedaje de Altura: First giraffe lodge in Latin America

WELCOME: Ms. Mari Carmen Martínez Villareal, Secretary of Tourism of Nuevo León and Mr. Luis Palazuelos Barroso Director Xhant.

 

SECRETARIAT OF TOURISM OF TLAXCALA

For "Tlaxcala Brilla" comprehensive strategy for firefly sighting centers

Josefina Rodriguez Zamora, Secretary of Tourism

 

PERU

MUNICIPALITY OF MIRAFLORES

By "Miraflores Surf City".

PICKED UP: Mrs. Denisse Kristell Mac Cubbin Bernaola, Councilwoman President of the Culture, Tourism, Education and Sports Committee

 

WELLNESS CATEGORY

CASTILLA TERMAL HOTELS - SPAIN

"ALMA SOSTENIBLE": for the rehabilitation of historic buildings

PICKED UP: Mr.Roberto García González, president

 

SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE

CHARO VAL

For making gastronomy a tool for social change through its projects.

PICKED UP: Ms. Charo ValCEO and Head Chef La Alacena del Gourmet Ibiza

 

EXCELENCIAS IN MEMORIAM AWARDS

EXCELENCIAS NICOLÁS MUELA - JUNTA DE ANDALUCÍA AND REGIONAL MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, WATER AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

For the interest in the recognition of tourism and gastronomy as one of the most transversal sectors of the economy.

PRESENTED BY:Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group together with Mr. Rafael Ansón, Alfonso Marín Caffarena, President and Secretary General of the Ibero-American Academy of Gastronomy, Mr. Rafael Ansón and Mr. Alfonso Marín Caffarena, President and Secretary General of the Ibero-American Academy of Gastronomy.

WELCOMED: Ms. Cristina de Toro Navero, General Director of Industries, Innovation and Agri-Food Chain of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development (Spain)

 

EXCELENCIAS RAMÓN ÁLVAREZ - SECRETARY OF TOURISM OF THE STATE OF QUERÉTARO

For its contribution to the MICE segment

DELIVERED: Ms. Charo Trabado -CEO of GSAR Marketing / MITM Events

PICKED UP: Ms. Adriana Vega Vázquez Mellado, Secretary of Tourism (Mexico)

 

EXCELENCIAS SILVIA ZORZANELLO - GUILHERME PAULUS

For its contribution to the growth of domestic tourism in Brazil

HANDED OUT: Mr. Eduardo Zorzanello Managing Partner of Rossi E Zorzanello

PICKED UP: Mr. Guilherme Paulus, President, GJP Golding e Participações LTDA

 

BLUE CATEGORY

MARLIN- AVALON -CUBA

For "Protection of Jardines de la Reina".

PICKED UP: Mr. Luis Martinez de Armas, president of Cubasol

 

GREEN CATEGORY

PIÑERO GROUP -SPAIN

For "Cayo Levantado Resort" betting on regenerative tourism

PICKED UP: Mr. Julio Perez, Chief Operating Officer (Coo) of Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts

 

PROQUIMIA-SPAIN

For contributing as a strategic partner to facilitate consistent, measurable and auditable corporate sustainability policies.

PICKED UP: Carles Onyós De Plandolit, general manager

 

AUDIOVISUAL CATEGORY

PROCOLOMBIA-SPAIN

For MiniSeries, "Finding Enchantment".

PICKED UP: Ms. Carmen Caballero, President of ProColombia

 

SECRETARIAT OF TOURISM OF THE STATE OF GUANAJUATO-MEXICO

For TV Series "Y Tú, Tú Que Vas A Hacer?"

Juan José Brunel, Secretary of Tourism

 

PUBLIC AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN TOURISM

NATIONAL SECRETARIAT OF TOURISM-PARAGUAY

By "Ruta del Guacamayo" (Macaw Route)

PICKED UP: Mrs. Angie Duarte de Melillo, Minister of Tourism

 

SOLAR MUSEUM-ECUADOR

To promote the visit of tourists so that they can get to know and live the most complete experience of half of the world.

PICKED UP: Mr. Cristóbal Cobo Arizaga, Director

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

LIC. ENRIQUE AVILÉS -MEXICO

PICKED UP: Lic. Enrique Avilés

 

LIC. RICARDO SOSA -ARGENTINA

For his professional career in the tourism industry in Argentina

PICKED UP: Mr. Ricardo Sosa

 

ASETUR - Union of Secretaries of Tourism -MEXICO

For the joint work with all the states in the promotion of tourism in Mexico.

PICKED UP: C. Juan Enrique Suárez Del Real Tostado, President of ASETUR

Accompanied by the secretaries of tourism present at the event

 

EXCELENCIAS GOURMET 2023 AWARDS

SPAIN

VIENNA CHAPLAINS

Madrid bakery since 1873. For fusing tradition and innovation with its 3d printer.

PICKED UP: Mr. Antonio Lence, General Manager, Viena Capellanes

 

COLOMBIA

GANCHANCIPÁ FARMERS' MUSEUM

For being the "guardian of native seeds" and contributing to the dissemination of tangible and intangible heritage.

 

CUBA

EL FLORIDITA RESTAURANT

For 125 years, being the birthplace of the daiquiri

PICKED UP:

Mr. Luis Martinez de Armas, President of Cubasol

 

MEXICO

RIVERA RÍO BROTHERS - KOLI RESTAURANT

By Koli cocina de origen: rescuing the northeastern cuisine of mexico

PICKED UP: Rodrigo, Patricio and Daniel Rivera Río - Chefs Co-owners of Koli, accompanied by Lic. Maricarmen Martínez Secretary of Tourism of Nuevo León.

 

SECTUR MEXICO AND CHEF JORGE OROZCO

For: "3 years promoting Mexican gastronomy in the world".

Miguel Torruco, Minister of Tourism of Mexico, Chef Jorge Orozco and Chef Jorge Woolrich.

 

SECRETARIAT OF TOURISM OF THE STATE OF TABASCO

For preserving the cocoa culture, recognizing the work of cocoa farmers and the creation of the cocoa bank as a strategic space.

PICKED UP: Lic. José Antonio Nieves, Secretary of Tourism

 

SECRETARIAT OF TOURISM OF THE STATE OF GUANAJUATO

For sustainability and traceability of the vineyards being an example of good practices in the sector.

Juan José Álvarez Brunel, Secretary of Tourism.

 

QUERETANO CHEESE PRODUCERS AC

On the Queretaro cheese route

PICKED UP: Isabel Esteves Denaives, Associate of Querétaro Cheese Producers

Adriana Vega Vázquez Mellado, Secretary of Tourism of the State of Querétaro.

 

SAN LUIS POTOSÍ CITY HALL

For sensory and inclusive gastronomic experiences

Enrique Francisco Galindo Ceballos, municipal president

GOURMET EXCELLENCE CHARACTERS

 

SPECIAL GASTRONOMIC AMBASSADOR AWARD

FLORENCIO SANCHIDRIÁN- SPAIN

PICKED UP: Mr. Florencio Sanchidrián

 

GOURMET EXCELLENCE COOKS

MATEU CASAÑAS, ORIOL CASTRO AND EDUARD XATRUCH RESTAURANT DISFRUTAR - SPAIN

PICK UP: Mr. Oriol Castro. Restaurant Disfrutar

 

PASTRY EXCELLENCES GOURMET

PIA SALAZAR- ECUADOR

PICKED UP: Mrs. Pía Salazar, Restaurant Nuema

 

HEAD WAITER EXCELENCIAS GOURMET

ABEL VALVERDE- SPAIN

PICKED UP: Mr. Abel Valverde, Restaurant Desde 1911

 

SOMMELIER EXCELLENCES GOURMET

ISRAEL RAMIREZ- SPAIN

PICKED UP: Mr. Israel Ramírez, Saddle Restaurant (Spain)

 

GOURMET EXCELLENCE BARTENDERS

CUBA BARTENDERS ASSOCIATION - CUBA

 

GASTRONOMIC JOURNALISM AWARD

HOLA! - SPAIN

 

EXCELENCIAS GOURMET PUBLIC AWARDS

CITY COUNCIL OF CANGAS DE ONÍS - SPAIN

By Reino de los Pastores

PICKED UP: Mr. José Manuel González Castro, Mayor of Cangas de Onís (Spain)

 

MINISTRY OF TOURISM OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MICHOACAN- MEXICO

By Cocineras Tradicionales

 

GOURMET EXCELLENCE RECOGNITION

D. RAFAEL ANSÓN OLIART

For his tireless work to promote Ibero-American gastronomy, achieving invaluable projects and alliances.

PICKED UP: Mr. Rafael Ansón Oliart