Local and national political actors are promoting and implementing measures to curb the tourist rental industry. But what about the Spanish tourism model? Ask a German citizen where they would go on holiday in Spain and they would probably say Andalusia, the Balearic Islands, Catalonia or the Canary Islands. But what if we recommended La Selva de Irati or Las Bardenas Reales in Navarre, the Roman city of Mérida in Extremadura, or the beaches of Zarautz where Game of Thrones was filmed?

The institution responsible for promoting Spanish culture abroad is the Instituto Cervantes. It has different delegations in many countries, where it provides Spanish lessons and organises conferences, tastings and colloquiums to raise awareness of Spain. On 22 May, the Instituto Cervantes in Berlin held one of these conferences in collaboration with Nicole Biarnés Kiefer and Julia Macher, who are experts in Spanish culture and society.

The aim was to showcase the lesser-known aspects of Spanish tourism. The speakers presented photographs of tiny villages and places scattered throughout Spain where visitors can discover treasures such as La Petra de Andalucía in Osuna, the Sierra de Francia in Salamanca, and the Palacio de la Aljafería in Zaragoza.

During their talk, Macher, a journalist, and Biarnés, a blogger and author of travel books, broke down the clichés of sun, beach and paella by projecting images of Nicole's travels on the Iberian Peninsula. They invited the audience to explore Spanish geography. To make it more engaging, they shared the stories behind the photos. The author recounted the conversations and anecdotes shared with her by the inhabitants of these areas. For example, she explained how the shepherds of the Roncal Valley make a unique cheese with a breed of sheep that is only found in that valley.

She also delved deeper into the idea that these places had a deeply rooted gastronomic tradition. She even affirmed that they were a regional economic engine.  In this case, for example, Roncal cheese is highly valued nationally, meaning the valley receives a large number of tourists from across the country, attracted by these places and their gastronomy.

In short, the characteristics that define sustainable tourism involve decongesting overcrowded tourist destinations in favour of small, unknown corners. With this change in behaviour, tourists get to know and learn more about the traditions and customs of a country and the locals benefit from selling their knowledge and products.

In short, sustainable tourism involves decongesting overcrowded tourist destinations in favour of lesser-known areas. This change in behaviour allows tourists to learn more about the traditions and customs of a country, while enabling locals to benefit from selling their knowledge and products.

• https://berlin.cervantes.es/imagenes/File/cultura/2025/programa%20de%20actividades%20culturales/Abril-Junio/Nuevo/IC_BERLIN_KULTURPROGRAMM_APRIL_JUNI_2025.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawKhES9leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHmHC-faqH6wRJUJxMAqe1olsjWfxOS7OgCcKSR4DrswDSPGqYM4fpFmFyW6Y_aem_r7ja35xPYdxgAuqs-zqa2w https://berlin.cervantes.es/imagenes/File/cultura/2025/programa%20de%20actividades%20culturales/Abril-Junio/Nuevo/IC_BERLIN_KULTURPROGRAMM_APRIL_JUNI_2025.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawKhES9leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHmHC-faqH6wRJUJxMAqe1olsjWfxOS7OgCcKSR4DrswDSPGqYM4fpFmFyW6Y_aem_r7ja35xPYdxgAuqs-zqa2w
• https://www.facebook.com/institutocervantesberlin/ https://www.facebook.com/institutocervantesberlin/