The Valencian Community has reinforced its international strategy by leading an institutional and business mission to Miami, designed to generate new opportunities for collaboration in tourism, culture, music, and entertainment. The delegation, organized by the Federation of Leisure and Tourism of the Valencian Community (FOTUR) alongside Turisme Comunitat Valenciana, worked in partnership with 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 matters because it positions the Valencian Community directly within a key U.S. gateway, opening doors for sustained economic and cultural exchange between the region and North American and Latin American markets.
The initiative featured an exclusive evening aboard the Seafair that brought together institutional representatives, business leaders, artists, and professionals from Miami’s music and audiovisual industries. The event served as a platform to promote the Valencian Community’s tourism offering while celebrating culture, entertainment, and business networking. Attendees 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. Their presence underscored the institutional weight behind the mission and its potential to foster long-term partnerships.
Among the Miami representatives 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, while entertainment personalities such as Alicia Machado, Cinthya Bagué, and Vicky Echeverry added star power. Music and audiovisual executives, including 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, also participated. This cross-section of influential figures highlights the mission’s role in bridging business and creative communities.
During the presentation, Israel Martínez invited attendees to discover the Valencian Community’s tourism and cultural diversity, emphasizing heritage and the legacy of iconic Spanish music figures such as Camilo Sesto, who was born in Alcoy, Alicante, where a museum preserves his memory. Víctor Pérez presented the potential of Valencian festival culture and the region’s music festival offering across Castellón, Valencia, and Alicante, stressing 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,” Pérez said. His remarks clarify why the mission matters: it is not merely a promotional event but a deliberate move to integrate Valencian offerings into broader international markets.
The presentation also spotlighted strategic tourism segments such as MICE tourism—meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions—wellness, golf, and cruises, along with experiences centered on gastronomy, cultural heritage, the Mediterranean lifestyle, and premium tourism. Music defined the evening, which concluded with performances by Valencian DJ Vicente Ferrer and Miami-based DJ Francis King, blending the sounds and festival culture of both regions. Coinciding with World Travel Expo, the mission capitalized on the presence of international industry professionals in Miami to increase visibility and establish new connections in the North American market. As part of the region’s broader internationalization strategy, the initiative underscores the Valencian Community’s commitment to positioning tourism, culture, music, and entertainment as distinctive elements of its offering. For those interested in learning more, the promotional video is available to view the promotional video, and details on FOTUR’s festivals and activities can be explored by choosing to watch the FOTUR festivals and activities video. The implications are significant: the mission not only raises the Valencian Community’s profile but also lays the groundwork for tangible collaborations that could boost tourism flows, cultural exchanges, and business ventures between the region and the Americas.
