Incoming Spanish Government Appoints New Top Tourism Officials

Spain's government led by President Mariano Rajoy has appointed new officials to helm the tourism office of one of the most visited countries in the world. In a ceremony earlier this month, Jose Manuel Soria was sworn in as Minister for Energy, Industry and Tourism; Isabel Borrego as the Deputy Secretary for Tourism, and Manuel Butler as the new director of the Tourism Institute of Spain - Turespana.

The officials will continue to guide the Spanish tourism industry, emphasizing its dedication to sustainable development and environmentally friendly offerings. The administration is expected to continue to grow the number of visitors through innovative media channels, focusing on the country's unique heritage and blend of modern luxury and historical treasures, as well as its renowned bio-diversity.

Jose Manuel Soria
The new Minister of Industry, Energy and Tourism began his career as a market analyst for the Spanish Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela. An economist, Mr. Soria taught international and macroeconomics at the Centro de Estudios Comerciales in Madrid. Upon entering politics, he served as advisers to the Ministry of Finance and the Economy and the Ministry of Commerce before he returned to the Canary Islands, where he was born.

Mr. Soria was elected Mayor of the City of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, a position he held from 1995 to 2003. He then became President of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria until 2007. His economics background and long career as a politician has made him an expert on matters that affect the tourism industry. Mr. Soria's roots in the Canary Islands also make the industry an important one to him. The Canary Islands are one of the main tourist vacation destinations in Spain, welcoming 16.35% of all total visitors to the country and contains 13% of the hotel beds in Spain.

Isabel Borrego
The new Deputy Secretary of State for Tourism has the industry in her blood, born in 1968 in Palma de Mallorca. The Balearic Islands, Ms. Borrego's home, represents 17.52% of the Spanish tourism industry.

Her home inspired Ms. Borrego to study law at the University of the Balearic Islands and earn a Masters in Construction Law and Real Estate. Her professional work has focused on urban development and its impact on the hospitality sectors. From 2005 to 2007, she served as general director of Architecture and Housing of the Balearic Islands. Ms. Borrego also brings extensive knowledge of ecological issues and sustainability in the tourism industry, having served as an adviser in the Ministry of Environment, Housing, and Territorial Planning for the Region of Madrid since 2007.

Ms. Borrego has announced that she will immediately undertake a comprehensive plan to grow Spain's "main export industry," noting the importance of tourism for the Spanish economy.



Manuel Butler
The new general director of the Tourism Institute of Spain - Turespana - has had a long career promoting Spanish tourism. Mr. Butler has been the director of the Spanish Tourism Office for the United Kingdom, Germany, Colombia, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and the southeastern United States. As technical secretary of the Spanish Council of Tourism, he prepared the "Horizon 2020" plan, a roadmap to establish Spain as a premier tourism destination.

Mr. Butler holds a PhD in Naval Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, and has written several books on the cruise industry. He has also had experience in the private sector, serving as general manager of sales and marketing for HUSA Hotels.

He will work hand in hand with the new Deputy Secretary of State for Tourism, Isabel Borrego.

For more information on Spain's newly-elected tourism officials, please visit http://www.minetur.gob.es/en-US/Paginas/index.aspx. For information on travelling to Spain, please visit www.spain.info, or contact the Tourist Office