Date Published: 01/10/2025

Lorca recognises tourism excellence with almost thirty SICTED awards

Ceremony honours 26 local businesses and services for their commitment to quality in tourism

Lorca has celebrated the hard work and dedication of its local tourism sector with the presentation of nearly thirty SICTED (Integral System of Tourism Quality in Destinations) awards at a ceremony held in the historic surroundings of the Guevara Palace on Tuesday September 30.

In total, 26 businesses and services from across the municipality were recognised for their commitment to raising standards and providing excellent service to visitors, after passing strict quality audits earlier this year.

The event was attended by the Director General of Competitiveness and Tourism Quality of the Region of Murcia, Eva Reverte, along with mayor Fulgencio Gil, councillor for Culture and Tourism, Santiago Parra, and representatives from the local business community.

As part of the recognition, awardees received diplomas, plaques for display, vehicle stickers and pins for tour guides. Speaking during the ceremony, mayor Gil praised the attendees by saying, “This ceremony is a recognition of the professionalism of those who, from different areas, contribute to economic growth and to positioning the municipality as a leading tourist destination. These 26 awards represent 26 examples of effort, innovation and a real vocation for service.”

He added: “Tourism quality is not just a seal, it is an attitude and a way of understanding the city. Lorca moves forward thanks to its companies and professionals, and today we want to highlight their commitment and thank them for being the best ambassadors for our municipality.”

The historic Guevara Palace offered the perfect backdrop, with Gil describing the Guevara Palace as “a jewel of our historical heritage and the perfect place to honour those who make the city shine as both a cultural and tourist destination. Heritage and quality go hand in hand in building the Lorca we want to show to the world.”

Those recognised come from a wide mix of sectors including hotels, hostels, travel agencies, tourist attractions, museums, artisans, active tourism companies and even municipal services such as the local police and the tourism office. Notable awardees included the Parador de Turismo Castillo de Lorca, Playa de Calnegre, Lorca Taller del Tiempo and the Archaeological Museum. Altogether, the municipality now has 55 establishments within the scheme, of which 26 were honoured this week.

The SICTED programme is promoted nationally by Spain’s Secretariat of State for Tourism and managed by the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces. It provides free training and technical support, personalised good practice guides, official recognition and greater visibility for participating businesses.

The ceremony also included a touching tribute to local photographer Juan Miguel Aledo, who recently passed away. He was remembered as a much-loved professional and an important figure in Lorca’s cultural life. Mayor Gil said: “Lorca loses a much-loved professional who managed to capture the spirit of our city. He leaves behind an unforgettable legacy. May this award serve as a symbol that his work and his name will continue to be present in the culture of the municipality.”

Through these awards, Lorca has once again shown its commitment to building a sustainable, high-quality and culturally rich tourism offering that benefits both residents and visitors.

Image: Ayuntamiento de Lorca

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Oficina de Turismo de Lorca

Lorca Tourist Office

The rich and extensive history of Lorca has left a legacy of archaeological sites, and historic buildings, around which the modern City has built its tourism industry. Amongst these are Lorca Castle, the Jewish Quarter of the castle and Synagogue, Lorca Tourist Office Plaza de España, Colegiata de San Patricio, Museo de Arqueologico Municipal, Iglesia de San Francisco, Casa Huerto Ruano, Palacio de Guevara, Iglesia de San Mateo, Pósito de los Panaderos, Convento Virgen de las Huertas, Antiguo Convento de la Merced, Iglesia del Carmen and the Teatro Guerra.

Unfortunately Lorca has also been prone to natural disaster, suffering a Gota Fría on September 28th 2012, as well as an earthquake which measured 5.3 on the Richter scale on 11th May 2011 and claimed 9 lives. Since this earthquake the city has been rebuilding, winning recognition for its Lorca, Open for Restoration initiative, which used the restoration of the city as a tourist attraction whilst it rebuilt its historical buildings, some of which are currently still not open.

Lorca Tourist Office The tourist office itself has temporarily relocated until the renovations are completed and is on Calle San Patricio near the church.

Lorca also has an area of coastline incorporating the Parque Regional de Cabo Cope - Puntas de Calnegre, in the Sierra de Almenara, which includes the beaches of, Puntas de Calnegre, Baño de las Mujeres, San Lorca Tourist Office Pedro, El Siscal, Cala Honda, Cuartel del Ciscar, Junquera, Cala de la Gruta, Cala Leña, Los Hierros, Cala Blanca and Playa Larga, although many are accessible only through agricultural exploitations.

However, in spite of its many attractions, the name of Lorca is synonymous with Easter, (Semana Santa) its biblical parades of International Tourist Interest status and famous throughout Spain. The week includes a Lorca Tourist Office series of parades in which the whites (Paso Blanco) and blues (Paso Azúl) try to outdo each other with the magnificence of their embroideries and the skill and daring of their horsemen.