PLANS FOR EXCELLENCE IN TOURISM IN SPAIN (1992-2006). A COMMITMENT TO REVITALIZING destinations. REVIEW OF ITS IMPLEMENTATION AND IMPACT

In a context of reorienting the tourism model, tourism excellence plans have been one of the most significant initiatives in the Spanish tourism policy, as they have raised a number of actions aimed at improving the quality of consolidated tourist destinations. This research has focused on analyzing the set of Spanish excellence plans, their spatial distribution and characteristics as well as the type of actions undertaken. In this regard, we note that the sun and beach destinations have a higher implementation and development of this initiative, but without forgetting its importance for heritage cities and natural attractions. Emphasizes, moreover, that most projects have been aimed primarily at improving the urban structure and infrastructure of the destinations, although the plans have finally been an opportunity to break the deadlock in some municipalities and make progress in their management and redirection.