The President of the Diputación de Almería, Gabriel Amat (l), presents José María Rosell with the Image of Andalusia award in an archive image /
The Senator Hotels & Resorts group, of which he is the founder and president, is the largest hotel chain in Andalusia
The Ministry of Tourism, Regeneration, Justice and Local Administration has announced this Wednesday the list of winners of the 2022 Andalusian Tourism Awards, among which are the athlete from Huelva, Carolina Marín, as Ambassador of Andalusia; the tourism entrepreneur based in Almería José María Rossell, who is recognized for his career in the sector; and the Escuela Superior de Hostelería de Sevilla, for its training and research work on tourism.
These are awards that are intended to publicly recognize the work carried out in a meritorious and relevant manner by those natural or legal persons, public or private, who have contributed to highlighting the quality and excellence of Andalusia as a tourist destination, as recalled in a communicated the Ministry of Tourism.
These distinctions celebrate their eighteenth edition this year and are convened in ten modalities, which are ‘Tourist excellence of institutions, associations and foundations’, ‘Tourism business career’, ‘Worker in the tourism sector’, ‘Good practices in employment tourism’, ‘Communication’, ‘Tourism training and research’, ‘Tourist innovation’, ‘Tourist accessibility and inclusiveness’, ‘Tourist destination of excellence’ and ‘Ambassador or Ambassador of Andalusia’.
On this occasion, the jury, chaired by the Acting Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ana García, has decided to award the status of Ambassador of Andalusia to the athlete from Huelva, Carolina Marín, “a world leader in Spanish badminton”.
Marín, who competes in the women’s individual category, has the titles of Olympic champion in Rio de Janeiro 2016; world champion in 2014, 2015 and 2018; European champion in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2021; and she holds 21 international BWF titles. Her permanent presence in the elite of this sport, dominated until her emergence by Asian athletes, has made her a key figure, which makes her worthy of her designation as an ambassador of the community.
For its part, the Sevillian company Rosabus has obtained recognition for ‘Tourism Excellence for Institutions, Associations and Foundations’. Its commitment to safety, health and the environment or its solidarity actions –such as the expedition to bring food and clothing to Ukraine and bring a hundred refugees to Seville–, have earned this consideration for the specialized passenger transport company in congresses, circuits and events.
The prize for the ‘Tourist business trajectory’ has gone this year to the hotel businessman José María Rossell Recasens. Today, the Senator Hotels & Resorts group, of which he is the founder and president, is the largest hotel chain in Andalusia, with a wide presence in the provinces of Almería, Cádiz, Granada, Huelva, Málaga and Seville, as well as in other destinations in Spain and the world.
Meanwhile, in the category of ‘Worker in the tourism sector’, the work of Fernando Alonso Martín has been recognized. During his career as a self-employed worker he has founded the J.126 group to “disseminate the environmental and tourist values” of Cabo de Gata, he has set up the Natural Park Information Center (current tourist office). In addition, Alonso is the founder and president of Asemparna and Infoturismo, founder of the Association of Andalusian Natural Park brand tourism companies, and partner and administrator of Aetosal.
Likewise, this edition of the Andalusia Tourism Awards recognizes the Macià Hotels Group for its good practices in terms of tourism employment. This family business that makes up a leading business group in Andalusia dedicated to the hotel, tourism and restaurant sector, stands out for its social and environmental commitment. With implementation in the provinces of Granada, Córdoba, Seville and Cádiz, it has received numerous awards such as the Prestige Award granted by the Granada City Council, the 2000 Tourism Award by the Granada Chamber of Commerce or the Q Quality Tourism seal in Spain.
Pepe Ballesteros, meanwhile, is the winner in the ‘Communication’ category. The radio announcer is the creator and presenter of ‘Espacio de Turismo’, a traveling magazine that airs daily from Monday to Friday on Onda Cero in Almería, Roquetas and Vélez Rubio. The program offers reasons to visit the municipalities of the province, making local initiatives visible and helping their economies from a useful radio.
The Higher School of Hospitality of Seville (ESHS) has achieved the distinction for ‘Training and tourism research’. Since 1993 they have trained future entrepreneurs and managers in both operations and management, gastronomy and health, innovation and creativity, which has earned it national and international awards such as the Best Hospitality School in Europe or the National Hospitality Award for Training Work, among others. Since 2007 they have also offered online training with 43 of their own programs and have a collaboration agreement with the Learn Institute, an online training center with a presence in America, for the international promotion of the Spanish hotel industry through programs created by the ESHS.
La Dehesa Experiences has been considered with the award for ‘Tourist Innovation’. The company has a unique accommodation proposal in the heart of Andalusia, a Glamping (luxury camping) in the Sierra Morena de Córdoba, whose philosophy is focused on creating unique experiences for its guests. It is a sustainable tourism in which a unique effective project is promoted to provide economic and employment opportunities, protecting the natural resources of the area.
Siles City Council has been recognized for ‘Tourist Accessibility and Inclusiveness’. The consistory is committed to accessible and inclusive tourism, creating cultural and natural itineraries for everyone. It is one of the few municipalities in Andalusia, and the only one in Jaén, that has the “Accessible” label. Proof of this is that the town develops hiking activities using Joëlette chairs for people with reduced mobility, and directional bars for people with visual difficulties.
Chiclana de la Frontera is the ‘Tourist Destination of Excellence’ in this edition of the Andalusia Tourism Awards. The Cadiz town is committed to a model of sustainable and quality tourism. Year after year, the beaches of La Barrosa and Sancti Petri are awarded with distinctions such as the Blue Flag and Inclusive Beaches. In addition, it has a wide cultural offer and an important hotel and residential plant, giving priority to aspects such as the quality of services.
