The Secretary of State for Tourism announces 4.1 million to rehabilitate San Leandro as a museum on the local defensive system and other projects
The abandonment and vandalism of the San Leandro coastal battery, next to the La Curra dock and owned by the municipality, will be history as of this year. This bastion, from the 18th century and cataloged as an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC), will be one of the first located in the vicinity of Cala Cortina to be rehabilitated and adapted for the use and enjoyment of residents and tourists. Thanks to European funds, Next Generation will be fixed as a piece to learn about Cartagena’s defensive system.
It is one of the projects to which the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism has given its approval, within the Destination Tourism Sustainability Plans, to which the City Council had participated with projects to improve tourism infrastructure. The Secretary of State for Tourism, Fernando Valdés, yesterday informed the mayor, Noelia Arroyo, of those who will come out ahead.
He did so at a meeting held at the Town Hall, as part of a series of visits that Valdés made to several municipalities in the Region and that will continue today. The Cartagena Tourism Sustainability Plan has a budget of 4.1 million euros and will be “a boost to the repositioning of Cartagena as a destination for the twelve months of the year, said the Secretary of State. «Today more than ever this city deserves support for its brand image, because it is a quality destination, with great natural and heritage wealth. Among all we must prevent it from suffering due to the environmental situation of the Mar Menor », he added.
Arroyo asks for support to convert Fajardo into a National Parador, given the lack of hotel rooms in the city
This initiative, in addition to including the rehabilitation of the San Leandro battery, where an interpretation center of the Cartagena Bay fortification system will be located with digital museum resources, also includes the repair of the Parque Torres cafeteria and making it more comfortable access to this enclave. At this point, Valdés explained that the idea is to create a public transport circuit with zero carbon emissions. To this will be added the installation of an intelligent and efficient lighting system at the top of the Windlass and other actions aimed at promoting Cartagena as a gastronomic destination, active tourism and as a location for audiovisual productions.
The plan foresees the development of an ecological promenade of about 800 meters passable on foot and by bicycle, between Villas Caravaning and Playa Honda. There is also a proposal to favor the ecological transition of the sector, with measures to adapt to climate change and promote the circular economy. It includes programs that are aimed at improving the competitiveness systems of the sector and for the creation and promotion of new products, such as gastronomic tourism and tourism based on sports competitions.
Dossier with information
Arroyo took advantage of the Secretary of State’s visit to ask for his support to convert the old Fajardo barracks and battery into a National Parador, given the lack of hotel rooms in the city. “It is a building that is part of the defensive system of Cartagena, which is one of the most complete in the Mediterranean and is a great resource for cultural tourism and also for sports and nature tourism, because of the place where it is located,” Arroyo pointed out. And he gave Valdés an extensive dossier on what he wants to do in this enclave.
Mazarrón will create a ‘City of Diving’ and more cultural routes
The Secretary of State for Tourism, Fernando Valdés, was also yesterday in Mazarrón and Águilas. The first municipality will receive 4,150,000 euros for its sustainability plan, with which the ‘City of Diving’ will be created, cultural routes will be promoted and a visual tourist office will be implemented, among other initiatives. The performances will take place over the next three months. “Mazarrón is a recognized destination for national tourists, but it is also much more,” explained Valdés.
The secretary emphasized that, “of the 21.6 million euros committed to the Region in 2021, 20% comes to Mazarrón. We want this municipality to have a great position as a tourist destination.” Together with the mayor, Gaspar Miras, Valdés maintained that “we are committed to a more sustainable, more diversified tourism, so that it also becomes that element that explains the union between neighbors and tourists.” Among the projects, it is also important to promote the Phoenician ship and the Salting Factory.
He was in Águilas to see first-hand the strategy that the municipality is developing to recover the industrial heritage of the Hornillo pier as a tourist asset, charged to the State’s 1.5% cultural interest. In a work meeting, the mayor of Águilas, Mari Carmen Moreno, pointed out how the municipality is positioning itself as a sports tourism destination thanks to its climatic conditions, its calm sea and its 28 kilometers of coastline. Some characteristics that have led to Águilas hosting the Military Triathlon World Championship next June.