The MED Festival, in Loulé, was awarded the prize for “Best Tourist Promotion” in Portugal, at the Iberian Festival Awards, which were handed out on Friday, March 15th, in Granada, Spain.
This is the tenth time that the Loulé festival has been recognized in these Iberian awards. In tourism promotion, a category that, according to the Chamber of Loulé, which promotes the MED, «has great relevance for the economy of the region in which it falls», the event has already been distinguished four times, three at national level (2018, 2020 and 2024) and one at Iberian level (2023).
«In terms of tourist impact, the MED has positioned itself over the years as a reference event in the south of the country, which catapults the Algarve economy. More than 40% of its visitors are foreigners, with emphasis on the Spanish, English, Dutch and French public. For 39% of these visitors, the MED is the main reason for their visit to the Algarve at the end of June, a scenario that contributes to the festival's notoriety and the consolidation of its brand», describes the municipality.
On the other hand, «the impact on the local economy is significant, with an increase of 50% to 80% in the hotel occupancy rate or an increase of around 50% in terms of restaurant sales».
The Loulé municipality also highlights that this event «has strongly contributed to attracting more visitors, showcasing its natural setting, the historic center of the city of Loulé where icons of Loulé's heritage can be found, such as the Castle of Arab origin or the Islamic Baths» .
«In addition to promoting world music and cultures, the MED Festival also aims to project our territory, our historical heritage, our culture, artisanal traditions, gastronomy but above all the hospitality of our community. It constitutes recognition of the work of everyone who participates in its implementation, both Loulé City Council workers and external partners, including production teams, media partners or entities linked to logistics. We also leave here a word of appreciation to APORFEST, in the person of its president, Ricardo Bramão, for the role in promoting these awards that contribute to cohesion in this sector. It is, therefore, a pride for the Municipality to be among the winners of this night, which was also a moment of meetings and networking between agents of the music festival industry", considered Carlos Carmo, director of the Festival and councilor for Events of the Municipality of Loulé, who was in Granada to receive the award.
In addition to the MED Festival, the Portuguese Azores Burning Summer and FMM Sines – Festival Músicas do Mundo were finalists in the “Best Tourist Promotion” category, and, from Spain, the 17th Ribeira Sacra, Bilbao BBK Live, Icónica Sevilla Fest, Mallorca Live Festival , PortAmérica, SON Estrella Galicia Posidonia and SonRías Baixas. The latter was the winner on the Spanish side.
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