The Way of the Holy Grail Receives FOTUR 2025 Tourism Award as European Cultural Benchmark

The Way of the Holy Grail in Europe was distinguished with the FOTUR 2025 Tourism Award during the Anniversary of FOTUR and the 2025 Tourism Awards Gala at the Palau Alameda in Valencia on December 15. This recognition consolidates the project as a cultural initiative of European scope that unites heritage, identity, tradition and territorial development. The gala brought together institutional representatives, tourism sector entities, and cultural professionals in an evening focused on enhancing tourism as an economic, social and cultural engine for the Valencian region.

The event marked the 50th anniversary of the Federation of Leisure and Tourism (FOTUR) and featured a program that combined institutional interventions, artistic performances, and recognition for initiatives contributing to tourism, culture, gastronomy and creative industries. Welcoming words from María de los Llanos Massó Linares, president of Les Corts Valencianes, and Marian Cano, Minister of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism of the Generalitat Valenciana, highlighted the importance of a tourism model linked to cultural identity, innovation and social cohesion.

The Way of the Holy Grail delegation included Dr. Ana Mafé García, president of the cultural itinerary and international reference in the scientific study of the Holy Chalice of the Cathedral of Valencia; Mr. Jesús Gimeno Peris, Secretary of the entity; and Mrs. Liubov Daniel Albariño, International Director of the project. Their presence underlined the institutional, academic and strategic nature of an itinerary that strengthens the cultural projection of the Valencian Community in Europe. The project was distinguished as a symbol of culture, tradition and territorial structuring during the awards presentation.

The Way of the Holy Grail is a European cultural itinerary of historical, patrimonial and spiritual nature that highlights the documented and symbolic route of the Holy Chalice guarded in the Cathedral of Valencia, traditionally identified with the Holy Grail of Christian tradition. As detailed on the project's official website at https://www.thewayoftheholygrail.com, it is a long-term cultural and touristic project promoted by the Valencian Community that connects territories, cities and landscapes of the Mediterranean basin and Europe through a common story based on history, culture, spirituality, art and knowledge.

The itinerary integrates historical routes linking the Middle East, Italy, France and Spain, with special prominence of Aragon and Valencia as key territories in the arrival and custody of the Holy Chalice. Conceived as a tool for territorial structuring and sustainable development, the project aligns with European values of cultural cooperation, intercultural dialogue, peace and social cohesion. Through cultural, educational, academic and tourist actions, it contributes to deseasonalisation of tourism, dynamization of rural environments and enhancement of tangible and intangible heritage.

The project has the support of an International Scientific Commission for the Study of the Holy Grail, which provides academic rigour to the historical and symbolic narrative, and works toward certification as a European Cultural Route of the Council of Europe. This positions Valencia and the Valencian Community as international benchmarks in cultural, spiritual and knowledge tourism. The celebration was supported by collaborating firms including Coca-Cola, Bodegas Gandía, Dicoval, Heineken and Varma, with participation from Valencian company Pitiminís responsible for award design.

Víctor Pérez, president of FOTUR, highlighted the consolidation of the gala as an essential meeting point for the sector during closing remarks. The event concluded with a family photo of winners and authorities and a networking space emphasizing local products and collaboration between entities. With this recognition, The Way of the Holy Grail in Europe reinforces its role as a strategic cultural project aligned with sustainability, European identity and heritage enhancement values, consolidating its link with the Valencian Community as a key territory in constructing a shared cultural narrative on an international scale.