A few days ago we attended a very interesting presentation in the port of Malaga, at the Alborania Museum, dedicated to the Alboran Sea – the westernmost portion of the Mediterranean Sea. This presentation, organised by the Board of Tourism of Huelva, congregated key partners from the travel trade industry and its main purpose was to showcase the wonders of Huelva as a MICE and conference destination.
Seville and Faro airports are about an hour from any destination within the area
Huelva, a historical destination
Huelva is one of the eight provinces of Andalusia, located at the western part of the community and bordering Portugal. It has played a key role in History – on the 3rd of August 1492, Christopher Columbus departed from Huelva along with his crew on three caravels the Pinta, Niña and Santa María before discovering the American continent on the 12th of October 1492, changing the course of history.
In the late 19th century, Huelva became a hub for the British community, who owned the nearby Rio Tinto Mining Company – mining has been an important activity in Huelva since, at least, 1000BC. Proof of this British presence, in 1889 Huelva became the first Spanish city to have a football team, the Huelva Recreation Club, with British miners as players.
What can Huelva add to the MICE market?
But Huelva is much more than that; it is an emerging MICE destination. It boasts some of the most spectacular beaches not only in Andalusia but the whole of Spain, with a coast that stretches over 120 kilometres; almost 30% of the province territory is protected – either National Parks, like Doñana or Natural Parks and Nature Reserves. It is one of the homes of Ibérico Ham, the highest-quality ham there is, with the Denominación de Origen Jabugo, made of Black Iberian breed pigs. Huelva also produces wines, with the Denominación de Origen Vinos del Condado, mainly white and fortified wine. Strawberries and prawns are some of the most known culinary delights of Huelva.
Huelva has a growing hotel and conference infrastructure with capacities of up to 3,500 delegates. There are 5 different spaces, scattered around the province, with capacities of over 1,000 delegates – including hotels, conference centres and auditoriums in locations such as Isla Canela, Islantilla and Punta Umbria.
There are also 25 4* and 5* hotels, most of them with meetings and events places, located near main hubs of transportation. Seville and Faro airports are about an hour from any destination within the area, and 1 hour and 15 minutes away from the city of Huelva.
What makes Huelva a very interesting place for corporate and MICE events are not its impressive endless beaches, nor its mouth-watering gastronomy or luxurious resorts, but the outdoor activities that can be organised as part of your event.
It is fine if you are interested in history, gastronomy, sports and nature, bird watching, beach sports – Huelva has everything you need.
Meridional Events, your preferred partner in Huelva
If Huelva sounds like the perfect place for your next meeting, incentive, conference or any other corporate event, including golf, get in touch with us. We will organise an unforgettable event in this corner of paradise.
Meridional Events is your local DMC for all corporate and MICE events in Andalusia and the South of Spain, including Malaga, Seville, Marbella, Granada and the Costa del Sol, to name but a few.
