The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology of the Dominican Republic, Spain Film Commission, and the campaign “Catalonia, the Best Cuisine in the World” by the Catalan Tourism Agency among those recognized at the 41st Alimara Awards

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCyT) of the Dominican Republic, the campaign “Catalonia, the Best Cuisine in the World” by the Catalan Tourism Agency, and Spain Film Commission were among those recognized at the 41st edition of the CETT Alimara Awards Barcelona. 

The CETT Alimara Awards Barcelona, organized by CETT Barcelona School of Tourism, Hospitality and Gastronomy, together with B-Travel and with the collaboration of UN Tourism and the Department of Language Policy of the Government of Catalonia, have become a key meeting point for the sector, bringing together companies, institutions, and professionals. 

Dr. Maria Abellanet i Meya, president of CETT, highlighted that “tourism is an extraordinarily powerful activity: it connects people, territories, and cultures, and can become a force for development and well-being when it is grounded in knowledge and responsibility.” 

Mr. Martí Serrate Laplana, president of B-Travel, noted that “each edition surpasses the previous one in the level of projects submitted in each specialization” and emphasized that “we must work to define a tourism model that is sustainable.” 

Mr. Joan Santanach Suñol, Secretary General of the Department of Language Policy of the Government of Catalonia has emphasized that "in an industry so closely tied to experiences, language is an incredibly powerful tool for fostering a sense of belonging, authenticity, and connection". 

Mr. Miquel Sàmper Rodríguez, Minister of Business and Labour of the Government of Catalonia presided over the closing of the event and emphasized the importance of sustainable tourism that cares for, preserves, and highlights gastronomy, the language, and the territory. 

This year, 70 applications were received, of which 27 projects were selected as finalists. During the Alimara Night, in front of attendees and professionals from the tourism, hospitality, and gastronomy sectors, the winners of this edition were announced: 

Awards in competition 

Through Audiovisual 

For projects that use audiovisual content as a key element to showcase a company, position a brand, or promote a destination. 

• Catalan Tourism Agency, Catalonia, the Best Cuisine in the World 

• Spain Film Commission, Promotional Video for the Screen Tourism Experiences Programme in Spain 

Through Experiences 

For marketing and communication projects by organizations that create an inspiring, emotional, or motivational experience for their audience or users. 

• Spain Film Commission, Screen Tourism Experiences Programme in Spain 

• WOWIST, AI-powered audiovisual tourism platform 

Through Sustainability 

For proposals that demonstrate organizations’ commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility. 

• Regenera Studio S.L., Regenera Natura and Six Senses Ibiza 

• BIM Consultors, PROA – Data that opens doors to inclusive tourism 

Through Digitalization 

For initiatives that stand out for the application of technologies in the digital field. 

• BIM Consultors, DATUR – Tourism mobility intelligence 

• Barcelona Hotel Guild, PREVEO 

Through Research 

For applied research and its contribution to addressing the challenges faced by the sector. 

• International Chair of Tourism Intelligence of the Region of Murcia, Catholic University of Murcia, Tourist Mobility Forecasting with Region-Based Flows and Hierarchical Spatial Tessellation 

• Faculty of Tourism, University of A Coruña, Mareas abertas: rumo á accesibilidade no turismo marítimo pesqueiro en Galicia 

Alimara CAT Award 

This award, co-organized with the Government of Catalonia, goes to ERGATES Tecnologia and femturisme.cat for La Catalunya Autèntica d’en Tonet – a digital avatar promoting the proper use of the Catalan language in communication related to tourism and culture. 

Out-of-competition categories

The 3 Pioneers Award 

This award, created jointly by the Jordi Comas Matamala Foundation, the CETT Foundation, and the Climent Guitart Foundation, recognizes individuals or institutions that have been pioneers and have contributed to the development and improvement of tourism in Catalonia. Each foundation grants an award to one of the three pioneers. On this occasion, the CETT Foundation presents its award to Ms. Felisa Palacio, from Tarannà Viajes con Sentido, a pioneer in integrating social and environmental values into the design of tourism products, promoting for more than two decades initiatives that combine social impact, environmental respect, and innovation in the tourism experience. 

CETT Students’ Award 

Among all the submitted projects, CETT students have recognized the Parish of Santa Maria del Pi and Sant Jaume and Project Academy for Luminiscence Barcelona at the Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi. 

CETT Special Alimara Award 

This award is presented to the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCyT) of the Dominican Republic for its contribution to the development of tourism talent through training programmes and international scholarships, which have strengthened the sector’s competitiveness in a context of strong growth and transformation towards a more sustainable model. The award was received by Ms. Paula Disla, Vice Minister of International Relations of MESCyT of the Dominican Republic.