These Are the Winners of the 2021 Excelencias Awards
The EXCELENCIAS AWARDS were created 17 years ago by the Excelencias Group to promote excellence in different fields related to tourism, gastronomy and culture in Ibero-America.
These awards have become a benchmark in the field of tourism and gastronomy in Ibero-America. They're handed out at FITUR, the world's largest tourism fair, in addition to the fact that it's held in Madrid, the Ibero-American hub and bridge.
The Excelencias Awards have been held without fail every year, and not even this dreadful pandemic has prevented us from holding this event in the past two years.
This year, 2022, marks the 25th anniversary of the creation of the Excelencias Group. This is a special year, not only because of our outstanding anniversary, but also because of the tireless struggle of the destinations, companies and people who have succeeded with their hard work and efforts in 2021 in creating or executing projects in favor of tourism, gastronomy and social inclusion in the value chain of the economy of the different Ibero-American countries.
Mr. Luis Abinader: President of the Dominican Republic, Mr. David Collado: Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, Mr. José Ignacio Paliza: Minister of the Presidency in the Administrative Ministry. Mr. David Collado: Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, Mr. José Ignacio Paliza: Minister of the Presidency in the Administrative Ministry, Mr. Carlos Peguero: Vice Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, Mr. Juan Bolívar Díaz:, Mr. Aníbal de Castro: Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to the UNWTO, Mr. Carlos Antonio Midence: Ambassador of the Republic of Nicaragua to the UNWTO, Mr. Carlos Antonio Midence: Ambassador of the Republic of Nicaragua to the UNWTO, Mr. Carlos Antonio Midence: Ambassador of the Republic of Nicaragua to the UNWTO. Aníbal de Castro: Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to the UNWTO, Mr. Carlos Antonio Midence: Ambassador of the Republic of Nicaragua to the Kingdom of Spain, Ms. Milagros Urbina Rocha: Minister Counselor with Consular Functions of the Republic of Nicaragua to the Kingdom of Spain,. Mr. Iván Eskildsen: Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Panama and President Pro Tempore of CATA, Mrs. Nicole Marrder: Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Honduras, . Mr. Mynor Cordón: Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Guatemala, Mr. René M. Capote Forzate, Economic Counselor of the Cuban Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain, Mrs. Amara Carbajal: Executive President of Promperú, Mr. Óscar Arturo Esparza Vargas: Ambassador of Mexico, Mr. Miguel Torruco Marqués: Minister of Tourism of Mexico, Mr. Humberto Hernández-Hadzate: Ambassador of Cuba to the Kingdom of Spain. Mr. Humberto Hernández-Haddad: Vice Minister of Tourism of Mexico, Mr. Juan José Álvarez Brunel: Secretary of Tourism of the State of Guanajuato, Mrs. Yanina Martínez: Vice Minister of Tourism of Argentina, Mr. Ricardo Sosa: Executive Secretary of INPROTUR, Mr. Lucas Santiago Delfino: President of Ente de Turismo de Buenos Aires,. Mr. Mario Peña: Minister of Tourism of Salta,. Mrs. Manuela: President of INPROTUR Salta,. Mr. Federico Posadas: Minister of Tourism of Jujuy,. Mr. Gaston Burlon: Secretary of Tourism of Bariloche,. Mrs. Adriana Romero: Secretary of Tourism of La Pampa,. Mrs. Rosa José Antonio: Secretary of Tourism of La Rioja, Mr. Pablo Godoy: Secretary of Tourism of Santa Cruz, Mr. Alexis Simunovic: Secretary of Tourism of El Calafate,. Mrs. Cecilia Caldelari: Undersecretary of Tourism of Río Negro,. Mrs. Rosa Helena Volk: Secretary of State of Gramado (Brazil),. Mrs. Ana María Da Costa: Secretary of Tourism of the State of Rio Grande do Norte (Brazil),. Ms. Ana González Rodríguez: Mayoress of Gijón,. Mr. José Manuel Baltar Blanco: President of the Diputación de Ourense, . Ms. María Eugenia Limón Bayo: President of the Provincial Council of Huelva, Ms. Lourdes Plana, President of the Royal Academy of Gastronomy of Spain, Mr. Rafael Ansón President of the Ibero-American Academy of Gastronomy AIBG, among others.
The winners of the 17th edition of the Excelencias Awards were:
SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE AWARD
Grupo Curricanes de restauración de Tamaulipas - México
An eco-sustainable business model and collaborative economy with job creation, support to the community and institutions such as Caritas.
PRESENTED by: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. Chairman of the Excelencias Group
PICKED UP: José Ricardo de Gorrodo Cantú - Director of the Curricanes Group.
TOURISM EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2021:
CENTRAL AMERICA
Central America and Dominican Republic Tourism Promotion Agency.
by: First hackathon for the creation of multi-destination tourism products between Central America and the Dominican Republic for tourism positioning of the region.
PRESENTED by: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group
PICKED UP: Carolina Briones- CATA's General Secretary.
ACCOMPANIED:
H.E. Mr. Carlos Antonio Midence: Ambassador of the Republic of Nicaragua to the Kingdom of Spain, Mr. Iván Eskildsen, Panama's Minister of Tourism, Mr. Mynor Cordón: Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Guatemala, Ms. Nicole Marrder: Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Honduras, Mr. Carlos Umaña: President of the Federation of Central American Chambers of Tourism (FEDECATUR).
PANAMA
Panama Tourism Authority (ATP)
by: Panama Indigenous Circuit
DELIVERED by: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group
PICKED UP: Mr. Iván Eskildsen, Panama's Minister of Tourism
ACCOMPANIED: Mr. Darío Jhangimal, Advisor to the Minister of Panama
MEXICO
SECRETARIAT OF TOURISM OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MEXICO
by: Its public policies on tourism.
DELIVERED: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group
PICKED UP: Mr. Miguel Torruco, Mexico's Minister of Tourism.
SECRETARY OF TOURISM OF THE STATE OF TAMAULIPAS
by: 360º Marketing. Reactivation of Tamaulipas' tourism through technology (APP compra TAM).
PRESENTED by: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group and Mr. Miguel Torruco, Mexico's Minister of Tourism.
ACCOMPANIMED: Mr. Miguel Torruco. Mexico's Minister of Tourism
PICKED UP: Ms. Angela San Miguel, representative of the State of Tamaulipas in Spain, on behalf of Mr. Fernando Olivera, Secretary of Tourism of Tamaulipas, who was present in a recording.
CITY COUNCIL OF ORIZABA, STATE OF VERACRUZ
for: its transformation of vocation to tourism and creation of new ways of working to generate economic benefits.
PRESENTED: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group and Mr. Miguel Torruco, Mexico's Minister of Tourism.
ACCOMPANIMED: Mr. Miguel Torruco. Mexico's Minister of Tourism
PICKED UP: Mr. Igor Fidel Roji López on behalf of the Government of Orizaba.
SECRETARIAT OF THE STATE OF GUERRERO
for: Acapulco's ravine diving show. First tourist product of Mexico.
PRESENTED by: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group and Mr. Miguel Torruco, Mexico's Minister of Tourism.
ACCOMPANIMED: Mr. Miguel Torruco. Mexico's Minister of Tourism
PICKED UP: Mr.Óscar Daniel León Trujillo, General Director of Strategic Projects, Secretary of the State of Guerrero and Mr. Keving Palacios Pérez, representative of Clavadistas Profesionales de La Quebrada, S.C.
SPAIN
REGULATORY BOARD D.O.P. WINES LA PALMA
by: Documentary series "Vid y Vida".
AWARDED: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group
PICKED UP: Mr. Adalberto Martín González President of the PDO Vinos La Palma Regulatory Council, Mrs. Eva María Hernández Alonso Manager of the PDO Vinos La Palma.
Accompanied by: Mr. Mariano Hernández Zapata President of the Cabildo de La Palma.
DIPUTACIÓN DE OURENSE AND INSTITUTO OURENSANO DE DESARROLLO ECONÓMICO (INORDE).
by: The Ave Madrid - Ourense campaign.
AWARDED: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group
PICKED UP: Mr. Manuel Baltar President of the Ourense Provincial Council.
GIJÓN/XIXÓN
for: "Gijón's experience to expand the value of the sea". For placing coastal tourism as one of the strategic axes of the highest level in its tourism plans.
AWARDED: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group
WON: Ms. Ana González Rodríguez Mayoress of Gijón.
ARGENTINA
INPROTUR ARGENTINA
New INPROTUR website
HANDED OUT: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group
COLLECTED: Ricardo Sosa - Executive Secretary INPROTUR and Yanina Martinez - Secretary of Tourism Promotion of Argentina.
MINISTRY OF TOURISM OF THE NATION OF ARGENTINA
To the presale program - tourism presale program
HANDED OUT: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group
PICKED UP: Yanina Martinez - Secretary of Tourism Promotion of Argentina and Ricardo Sosa - Executive Secretary of INPROTUR.
TRANEX TURISMO S.A- THE TRAIN TO THE END OF THE WORLD
One of the most relevant tourist products of Ushuaia and Patagonia Argentina.
HANDED OUT: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group
COLLECTED: Mr. Lucas Piñero - Head of the training area of the Tierra del Fuego Tourism Institute.
ACCOMPANIMED: all the ministers and secretaries of tourism of Argentina who were in the auditorium.
COLOMBIA
PROCOLOMBIA
by: Illustrated manual for tourism guides co-create, connect and conserve. A tool to make known the wide cultural diversity of Colombia.
PRESENTED by: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group
PICKED UP: Mr. Gilberto Salcedo Vice President of Tourism of Procolombia.
CUBA
LIC. JOSÉ RODRÍGUEZ BARRERAS - DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF THE HISTORIAN OF THE CITY OF CAMAGÜEY
by: His career of more than 20 years marking the cultural, economic and social life of Camagüey.
AWARDED by: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group
PICKED UP: Mr. Javier Leal Estebanez Director of Viajes Onlinetours on behalf of the awardee.
ACCOMPANIED: Mr. René M. Capote Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Cuban Embassy in Spain.
PERU
DR. CARLOS CANALES ANCHORENA - PRESIDENT OF CANATUR PERU
for: his contributions and work during 30 years in the development of tourism in Peru.
PRESENTED BY: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group
PICKED UP: Mr. Carlos Fernando Canales Anchorena Chairman of the Board of Directors.
ACCOMPANIED: Ms. Amara Carbajal Executive President of Promperu
SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS
NH HOTEL GROUP - NH ROOM 4 PLANET
Category: GREEN
for: Its commitment to the planet and its actions to minimize its impact on climate change.
PRESENTED: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group
COLLECTED: Ms. María García Llorente Head of Global Sustainable Business.
ISLAN GLOBAL YACHTING (IGY) MALAGA MARINA
Category: BLUE
for: the use of sustainable engineering at the Malaga yacht marina, Econcrete technology, reduced carbon footprint and improved water quality.
AWARDED: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group
PICKED UP: Mr. José Luis Almazán Palomino Managing Partner of Ocean Capital Partners and Mr. Oscar Calero Escobar General Manager of IGY Málaga Marina.
CARIBBEAN NEWS DIGITAL AWARD (CND)
LIC. DAVID COLLADO, MINISTER OF TOURISM OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
for: his very proactive and relevant work in favor of tourism and gastronomy in the country.
HANDED OUT: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group
COLLECTED: Mr. David Collado Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic.
*The presentation was made in the presence of the President of the Dominican Republic at the FITUR stand as a guest country.
EXCELENCIAS GOURMET 2021 AWARDS:
SPAIN
LEZAMA GROUP
by: The University School of Gastronomy and Tourism Sciences of Madrid. For its knowledge and comprehensive teaching of catering.
AWARDED by: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group
ACCOMPANIMED: Ms. Lourdes Plana President of the Royal Academy of Spanish Gastronomy and Mr. Rafael Ansón President of the Ibero-American Academy of Gastronomy.
PICKED UP: Mr. Luis Lezama Barañano President of the Lezama Group and Pedro José Oliver Fuentes Director of Project Escuela Universitaria de Ciencias de la Gastronomía y el Turismo de Madrid.
PROMOTION OF TOURISM ON THE ISLAND OF IBIZA - EATING IN IBIZA
for: the work of promoting the island's gastronomy.
AWARDED: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group
ACCOMPANIED: Ms. Lourdes Plana President of the Royal Academy of Spanish Gastronomy and Mr. Rafael Ansón President of the Ibero-American Academy of Gastronomy.
PICKED UP: Mr. Alejandro Sancho President of Fomento de Turismo of Ibiza
VALLADOLID CITY COUNCIL - WORLD TAPAS CHAMPIONSHIP AND NATIONAL PINCHOS AND TAPAS COMPETITION.
for: Managing to integrate the event in all sectors of the city.
AWARDED: Ms. Lourdes Plana President of the Spanish Royal Academy of Gastronomy and Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group
ACCOMPANIED: Mr. Rafael Ansón President of the Ibero-American Academy of Gastronomy.
PICKED UP: Mr. Luis Cepeda Creator of the National Tapa Championship, Mr. Julio Vallés President of the Gastronomic Academy of Castilla y León, Mr. Juan José Álvarez Brunel Secretary of Tourism Guanajuato (Mexico) for the tourism collaboration agreement for mutual promotion between the State and Valladolid and Mr. Emilio José Martín Maquedano Chef.
LINKERS GROUP
for: Creating the first program to attract and manage talent from Latin America to Europe/Spain.
AWARDED: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group
ACCOMPANIMED: Ms. Lourdes Plana President of the Royal Academy of Spanish Gastronomy and Mr. Rafael Ansón President of the Ibero-American Academy of Gastronomy.
PICKED UP: Mr. David Basilio Director of Operations of Linkers and Ms. Marianela Olivares General Manager of Linkers.
MEXICO
SECRETARIAT OF TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT OF MAGICAL TOWNS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF COAHUILA DE ZARAGOZA
for: the "La Senda del Cabrito" gastronomic route in Coahuila that seeks to rescue the traditions of northeastern cuisine through the kid.
HANDED OUT: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group
ACCOMPANIED: Ms. Lourdes Plana President of the Royal Academy of Spanish Gastronomy and Mr. Rafael Ansón President of the Ibero-American Academy of Gastronomy.
PICKED UP: Mr. Emmanuel Rey, General Director of Promotion and International Affairs of the Secretariat of Tourism of Mexico. The Secretary of Tourism of CoahuilaLic.Azucena Ramos was present for a video recording (VIDEO).
STATE OF TLAXCALA - AGAVETURISMO
for: rural tourism and biocultural regeneration strategy.
DELIVERED: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group
ACCOMPANIED: Ms. Lourdes Plana President of the Royal Academy of Spanish Gastronomy and Mr. Rafael Ansón President of the Ibero-American Academy of Gastronomy.
PICKED UP: Mr. Emmanuel Rey, General Director of Promotion and International Affairs of the Secretariat of Tourism of Mexico. The Secretary of Tourism of Coahuila Lic. Josefina Rodriguez Zamora was present for a recording (VIDEO).
ECUADOR
PACARI CHOCOLATES
by: 100% organic chocolates, from direct trade. The only company in the world that works with biodynamic cocoa.
AWARD: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group
ACCOMPANIMED: Ms. Lourdes Plana President of the Royal Academy of Spanish Gastronomy and Mr. Rafael Ansón President of the Ibero-American Academy of Gastronomy.
PICKED UP: Mr. Boris Mejía, Economic Counselor of the Embassy of Ecuador in Spain and Ms. Montserrat Arias Director of Bemypartner AND Mr. Rafael Roldán Honorary President of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Ecuador. The founder, Santiago Peralta, was present in a recording (VIDEO).
GOURMET CHARACTER AWARDS
EMILIO JOSE MARTIN MAQUEDANO
Category: REVELATION COOK
for: Knowing how to reflect the Km.0 gastronomy with the essence of the products of the land.
AWARDED: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group
ACCOMPANIMED: Ms. Lourdes Plana President of the Royal Academy of Spanish Gastronomy and Mr. Rafael Ansón President of the Ibero-American Academy of Gastronomy.
PICKED UP:Mr. Emilio José Martín Maquedano Chef
PILAR SALAS
Category: SPECIAL JOURNALIST AWARD
For: her journalistic work in favor of gastronomy.
PRESENTED BY: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group
ACCOMPANIMED: Ms. Lourdes Plana President of the Royal Academy of Spanish Gastronomy and Mr. Rafael Ansón President of the Ibero-American Academy of Gastronomy.
Pilar Salas - Head of section and resp. of gastronomy at the EFE Agency
KARLOS ARGUIÑANO
Category: BEST COOK AWARD
For: bringing gastronomy closer to homes.
PRESENTED BY: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group and Mr. Rafael Ansón President of the Ibero-American Academy of Gastronomy.
WON: Ms. Lourdes Plana President of the Royal Academy of Spanish Gastronomy and Mr. Rafael Ansón President of the Ibero-American Academy of Gastronomy. Karlos, was present in a recording (VIDEO).
EXCELENCIAS IN MEMORIAM AWARDS 2021:
RAMÓN ÁLVAREZ EXCELENCIAS AWARD
ATP PANAMA
For: being an ideal destination for meetings and conventions in the Americas, due to its strategic location, infrastructure and connection.
PRESENTED BY: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group and Ms. Charo Trabado -CEO of GSAR Marketing / MITM events-.
WON: Mr. Iván Eskildsen Minister of Tourism and Ms. Eugenia Powell Sales Director Visit Panama.
NICOLÁS MUELA EXCELLENCE AWARD
DEPUTATION OF HUELVA
For: making gastronomy an Ibero-American bridge.
PRESENTED: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group along with members of the Ibero-American Academy: Mr. Rafael Ansón, President; Alfonso Marín Caffarena, Secretary General and Mr. Luis Ros, President of the Academy of Gastronomy of the Dominican Republic.
WON: Mrs. María Eugenia Limón Bayo, President of the Provincial Council of Huelva.
SILVIA ZORZANELLO EXCELLENCE AWARD
BRAZIL - RIO GRANDE DO NORTE PROVINCE
For: its complete tourist and gastronomic offer with an international vision.
PRESENTED: Mr. José Carlos de Santiago. President of the Excelencias Group and Ms. Rosa Helena Volk Sectur Gramado Brazil. On behalf of Mr. Eduardo Zorzanello.
COLLECTED: Ms. Ana Mª da Costa Secretary of Tourism of the State of Rio Grande do Norte.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - President Luis Abinader
For the support of the presidency to the ministry of tourism with active participation of the President in activities of the tourism sector, the management of the pandemic and the effectiveness in the vaccination of tourism workers with tangible benefits in the Dominican community and society.
DELIVERED: Jose Carlos de Santiago Pdte. of the Excelencias Group.
PICK UP:
PICKED UP: H.E. Luis Abinader - President of the Dominican Republic.
*The award was presented at the end of the event at the stand of the Dominican Republic, FITUR's guest country.
