The III International Forum of Open Cities reinforces the universal vocation of Fuengirola
Mayor Ana Mula participated in the inaugural session of this event, in which they debated the sustainable management of tourism. The Andean parliamentarian and president of the Foreign Policy Commission, Gustavo Pacheco Villar, participated in the first round table; the head of the Market and Attractiveness Unit of the Department of Environment and Business Life of Malmö (Sweden), Anna Writtgen; and the Councilor for Tourism, Hospitality and Congress of the Oviedo City Council, Alfredo García Quintana
4/27/2026 – The III International Open Cities Forum has reinforced the universal vocation of Fuengirola. Today, the town’s Peace Palace hosted the opening ceremony of this meeting, in which senior representatives from four continents are discussing the present and future of world tourism.
The event started with the interventions of the mayor Ana Mula, and the general director of Promotion and Promotion of Tourism and Hospitality of the Government of Andalusia, Gemma del Corral. In this sense, the councilor welcomed the speakers and attendees, while underlining the objectives with which this initiative was born, which is being developed prior to the XXX International Country Fair.
“Today, through this III Open Cities Forum, we want to renew our international vocation, not only as a destination for travelers, but as a place of universal reference where we can exchange impressions and experiences that enrich us to continue growing and improving all of us who are going to be part of this event. On this day we are going to present different success stories, points of view, experiences and ways of managing tourism on up to four continents,” he stated during his speech.
After the words of the first mayor and the regional representative, the presentations of the first participants in the Forum followed.
Specifically, those of the Andean parliamentarian and president of the Foreign Policy Commission, Gustavo Pacheco Villar; the head of the Market and Attractiveness Unit of the Department of Environment and Business Life of Malmö (Sweden), Anna Writtgen, whose presentation focused on the question ‘Why do we no longer talk about sustainability’?; and the Councilor for Tourism, Hospitality and Congress of the Oviedo City Council, Alfredo García Quintana, who has presented the Asturian capital as the ‘origin of the Camino’ to Santiago as a way of attracting visitors.
Second round table
The second and final round of presentations will take place starting at 4:30 p.m., also at the Peace Palace. In this case, the delegate of the Ministry of Tourism in Tetouan (Morocco), Omar Zekari, the minister of the Japanese Embassy in Spain, Shinichi Sato; and the mayor of Maccagno con Pino e Veddasca Lago Maggiore (Italy), Ivan Vargiu.
The objective of this meeting is to present, in a simple and brief way, initiatives that have been successful, balancing, from the Administration, the activity of the tourism sector with the necessary sustainability and comfort of resident citizens. Under the title, ‘Tourism and success management’, each speaker shares the experiences they have put into practice in their places of origin.