At FITUR 2026 in Madrid, Castilla-La Mancha presents a stand exceeding 1,600 square metres, themed around connecting patrimonial and natural roots with sustainable new technologies. Highlights include augmented and virtual reality experiences in archaeological parks, an in-situ gaming zone for “Legends of Castilla-La Mancha” (the region’s Fortnite space), immersive showcases, gastronomic tastings, and the official launch of a new digital tourism platform integrating management and promotion. The campaign “PARA” is reedited to champion slow, respectful tourism that encourages pausing to appreciate the region’s essence.
La Mancha, the historic heartland of Castilla-La Mancha in central Spain, immortalised in Cervantes’ Don Quixote with its iconic windmills, vast plains of vineyards and olive groves, medieval villages, and UNESCO-listed sites like the historic towns of Toledo (though administratively separate, often linked culturally), is enhancing its visitor experience in 2026. The region promotes a sustainable, slow-travel model under initiatives such as the campaign “PARA” (inviting travellers to pause, appreciate, and discover deeply), blending literary heritage, enogastronomy (wines from La Mancha DO, saffron from La Mancha, and cheeses), nature, and innovative digital promotion to attract year-round, quality-focused visitors.
La Mancha’s accommodation developments in 2026 emphasise heritage restorations and quality upgrades within the Red de Hospederias de Castilla-La Mancha (a network of historic parador-style lodgings in converted convents, palaces, and buildings), prioritising authentic, immersive stays over large-scale new builds.
A key project is the Hotel Convento Santa Clara in Alc√°zar de San Juan (Ciudad Real province, core La Mancha area), an emblematic historic building undergoing sensitive restoration. It is on track to open by the end of 2026, integrating into the Hospederias network as a high-quality establishment that preserves its architectural legacy while offering modern comforts. This adds to the region’s appeal for cultural and literary travellers exploring Don Quixote routes.
Additional enhancements include concessions and management changes for other Hospederias in Ciudad Real province, with 15-year operating agreements enabling three-star hotel operations in restored heritage properties. These support broader efforts to modernise rural and urban stays, aligning with the Plan Estratégico de Turismo de Castilla-La Mancha 2024-2030, which targets increased competitiveness through renovations focused on sustainability, technology integration, and experiential offerings.
The region participates in national programmes like Imserso 2026, featuring hotels in La Mancha capitals and towns for cultural and nature escapes, reinforcing accessible, seasonal tourism.
La Mancha’s 2026 additions centre on innovative, tech-enhanced promotion and deepened experiential tourism rather than entirely new physical attractions.
These initiatives build on existing strengths: Don Quixote routes with windmill viewpoints (e.g., Campo de Criptana, Consuegra), wine tourism in bodegas and vineyards, saffron experiences, and nature in areas like Lagunas de Ruidera. Enhanced digital tools aim to boost international visibility and personalised planning.
Patricia Franco, Consejera de Economia, Empresas y Empleo de Castilla-La Mancha (overseeing tourism), has described the FITUR 2026 proposal as linking “las raices patrimoniales y naturales con el uso sostenible de las nuevas tecnologias,” projecting the region as an “innovador, seguro y cercano” destination. She has highlighted record tourism figures in 2025 (with over 52,000 affiliated in tourism activities for the first time) as a foundation for 2026 growth, emphasising technology as a connector for heritage, culture, nature, and gastronomy.
