The city of Marbella has been selected as the venue for the 2025 Congress of the World Federation of Tourist Cities, following an agreement signed by Marbella’s Mayor, Ángeles Muñoz, during a visit to Beijing.
The agreement was finalized after Muñoz attended a key international forum involving representatives from over 250 cities across 90 countries. She expressed excitement about hosting the prestigious summit, stating, “This has been a project we’ve been diligently working on for three years. It’s a significant milestone for Marbella, offering an unparalleled opportunity to showcase our city on a global stage.”
Collaboration with Global City Leaders
During the recent ‘World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development,’ Mayor Muñoz engaged with counterparts from countries such as Italy, Zimbabwe, the Dominican Republic, Cameroon, Peru, the UK, and China. Discussions at the summit revolved around important issues such as sustainable tourism, industry development, and cultural heritage preservation.
Muñoz addressed more than 400 prominent figures from the tourism sector, government officials, and local authorities, stating, “Our focus on excellence, alongside Marbella’s climate and reputation, has led to our recognition as Europe’s top tourist destination for 2024, as well as being honored as a European Destination of Excellence by the Arab League’s Tourism Organisation.”
Strengthening Ties with the Chinese Market
The mayor also highlighted Marbella’s growing importance for the Chinese tourism market, noting that many tourists from China choose to visit Andalusia due to its appeal and favorable climate. Visitors from China are known for their longer stays and higher spending. In line with this, Air China is currently considering the possibility of launching direct flights to Málaga in 2025, potentially bringing in tens of thousands of additional tourists to the region.
