The Valencian Community has reinforced its international presence in the United States through an institutional and business mission in Miami, designed to create new opportunities for collaboration across tourism, culture, music, and entertainment industries. The initiative was led by the Federation of Leisure and Tourism of the Valencian Community (FOTUR), together with Turisme Comunitat Valenciana, and supported by the Spanish Tourism Office in Miami, the Council of Chambers of Commerce of the Valencian Community, and the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the United States. The mission underscores the region's broader strategy to internationalize its distinctive offerings and connect with key markets in North America and Latin America.
Key figures participating in the mission included Israel Martínez, Director General of Tourism of the Valencian Regional Government; Víctor Pérez, President of FOTUR; and Belén Alfaro, Consul General of Spain in Miami. A highlight of the visit was an exclusive evening aboard the Seafair, which brought together institutional representatives, business leaders, artists, and professionals from Miami's music and audiovisual industries. The event combined the promotion of the Valencian Community's tourism offering with an evening celebrating culture, entertainment, and business networking, aiming to build stronger connections between the two markets. Among the Miami institutional representatives in attendance were Grisell Marino, Director of the Miami-Dade Hispanic Affairs Board; Helena Poleo, Communications Director for the City of Miami; and Christina Crespi of the Downtown Development Authority. The Florida Valencian Center was represented by Inma Cortes and Marcelo Llobell. Entertainment personalities included Alicia Machado, Cinthya Bagué, and Vicky Echeverry, while music and audiovisual industry professionals featured Julio Bagué, Vice President of peermusic; Peter Robles, CEO of Aquos Entertainment; Hugo Chávez of Miami Talents; and Martu Freeman-Parquet, founder of Fashion Alliance Network.
The Valencian delegation comprised Alejandro Bermejo Fliquete, Second Vice President of the Valencia Chamber of Commerce; Jorge Linares Ferrán, Managing Director; María Mónica Morales, Head of Tourism; Federico Fuster López, President of HOSBEC; and Miguel March Woltés, Head of Product Development. Representatives from Visit València, Visit Benidorm, Introducing Castellón, and the Alcoi City Council also participated, alongside representatives from Valencia Premium, The Best of Valencia, and PROMFEST, led by its President, Joan Vicente Diez.
During the presentation, Israel Martínez invited attendees to discover the Valencian Community's tourism and cultural diversity, highlighting its heritage and the legacy of iconic figures in Spanish music, including Camilo Sesto. Born in Alcoy, Alicante, the celebrated singer remains closely associated with his hometown, which is home to a museum dedicated to preserving his legacy. Víctor Pérez presented the potential of Valencian festival culture and the region's music festival offering across the provinces of Castellón, Valencia, and Alicante. He emphasized the role of live music and major events in raising the region's international profile. "We want to bring the Valencian Community's festival culture, music, and entertainment industry to international audiences, showcasing the talent and capacity of our sector to generate new opportunities. Miami is a strategic gateway for building partnerships and connecting our festivals and businesses with markets across the United States and Latin America," said Pérez.
The presentation also highlighted strategic tourism segments, including MICE tourism (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions), wellness, golf, and cruises, alongside experiences centered on gastronomy, cultural heritage, the Mediterranean lifestyle, and premium tourism. Music was a defining feature of the evening, which concluded with performances by Valencian DJ Vicente Ferrer and Miami-based DJ Francis King, bringing together the sounds and festival culture of the Valencian Community and Miami.
Coinciding with World Travel Expo, the mission capitalized on the presence of international industry professionals in Miami to increase the Valencian Community's visibility and establish new connections in the North American market. The initiative forms part of the region's broader internationalization strategy, positioning tourism, culture, music, and entertainment as distinctive elements of its offering. For a deeper look at the region's attractions, viewers can view the promotional video, and to explore its festival offerings, they can watch the FOTUR festivals and activities video. The mission was covered by NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE.
This outreach is significant for the Miami community and the broader U.S. market, as it opens avenues for cultural exchange and business partnerships. The Valencian Community's focus on music festivals and cultural heritage could attract American tourists and investors, while Miami's role as a gateway to Latin America may facilitate further collaborations. The emphasis on MICE tourism and premium experiences also aligns with Miami's growing profile as a hub for international events, potentially boosting local economies and cross-cultural ties.
