Tourism Web Page of San Lorenzo de El Escorial

The Tourism Excellence Programmes have meant the creation of a new culture for tourism in Spain and a good example of successful cooperation between different authorities.

The perception that a tourist has of a destination depends on many elements that are related more or less directly to the tourist activity there.

In the Tourism Excellence Programmes, the tourism sector and the tourists themselves are the main protagonists, and therefore the projects undertaken benefit them.

The Excellence Programmes start from the premise that work at the destinations must be driven from the Local Authority, even if it is necessary to include the other authorities and private agents at the destination. In this manner, the Programme (the Tourism Excellence Programme) has been formulated through the signing of collaboration agreements between the three authorities (general, autonomous and local) which contribute equally to the Programme. Furthermore, local business associations have also signed the agreements.

The budget for the Programme is allocated to projects allowing improvements to be introduced that are easily noticeable for both tourists and tour operators and that benefit the whole destination.

WORK CARRIED OUT

The Tourism Excellence Programme for San Lorenzo de El Escorial has had a budget of €1,620,000, spread over the three years in which the projects were carried out. The three authorities involved each contributed an equal sum to the programme.

The work carried out in these years within the Tourism Excellence Programme can be grouped into eight areas:

	CENTRO DE ESTUDIOS HERRERIANOS (CESHER)
	ADAPTING OF THE JUAN DE VILLANUEVA STAIRWAY AND THE WALL IN FLORIDABLANCA STREET
	SIGNPOSTING OF TOURIST LANDMARKS AND TOURIST INFORMATION POINTS
	OTHER ACTIVITIES
	COMMUNICATION PLAN
	UNDERGROUND URBAN WASTE COLLECTION CONTAINERS
	QUALITY
	TOURISM AND NATURE