The Gipuzkoa Provincial Council and the Gipuzkoa Hospitality Association have taken a joint step to boost the interior of Gipuzkoa: they will create a tourist accommodation network. This was decided at a recent meeting in Orendain with representatives from Tolosaldea and Goierri. The network will serve to enhance the gastronomic and tourist appeal of the interior and, on the other hand, to extend the lifespan of accommodations.

The deputy, Azahara Domínguez, has emphasized the "uniqueness" of the accommodations, highlighting them as the social epicenter of many small municipalities. These establishments, focused on traditional cuisine and zero-kilometer products, offer a unique tourist destination with its own identity in Gipuzkoa. "We are a leading gastronomic destination, and in the small inland municipalities, in the accommodations, authentic local cuisine is protected and dignified; they are essential guardians of our culinary identity, and we want to contribute to the sustainability of these spaces," she stated.

The deputy also emphasized the importance of the meeting held in Orendain, as this first encounter has served to share perspectives, align objectives, and begin building the first tourist network of accommodations in Gipuzkoa. One of the strategic goals of the project is for Gipuzkoans to travel around the territory and enjoy these accommodations.

For her part, Ane Ruiz, executive director of Hostelería de Gipuzkoa, has highlighted the gastronomic level of the accommodations, indicating that the project will offer them greater visibility and place them at the forefront. The network will attract truly potential customers, she added.

The project's objective is to continue promoting tourism and economic revitalization in the interior of Gipuzkoa. To this end, the Hospitality Association will provide support to the accommodations joining the network in areas of communication, digital tools, and visitor information. According to Ana Ruiz, accommodations in Gipuzkoa are highly aligned with current tourist demand, as their characteristics are "authenticity, traditional gastronomy, connection with the territory, and rural environment."

According to Domínguez, the network will be a support for small towns, as it will help boost economic activity. Data shows that in the first quarter of the year, tourism in Gipuzkoa, excluding Donostia, has grown by 0.7%, with 92,262 tourists registered. International tourism has also seen clear growth, with a 4.5% increase.

The Provincial Council has included the accommodation network within the 'Zatoz eta zaindu' (Come and care) tourism strategy. The strategy seeks a tourism model based on sustainability, respect, and care, aiming to build a shared, robust, and sustainable tourism model.