In accordance with the provisions of article 133 of Law 39/2015, of 1 October, on the Common Administrative Procedure of Public Administrations, in relation to article 26 of Law 50/1997, of 27 November, of the Government, the draft royal decree regulating the direct granting of certain subsidies in the field of tourism for the budgetary year 2026 of the Ministry of Industry and Tourism is submitted to public consultation. The public consultation process will be carried out through the web portal of the Ministry of Industry and Tourism.

The Ministry of Industry and Tourism has, in accordance with Royal Decree 829/2023 of 20 November, restructuring the ministerial departments, the powers relating to the proposal and implementation of the Government's policy on tourism. Likewise, Royal Decree 409/2024, of April 23, attributes to the State Secretariat of Tourism, through the General Directorate of Tourism Policies, the design and development of programs oriented to innovation, sustainability, quality and competitiveness of the tourism sector, as well as the promotion of tourism products of high added value and the promotion of models of public-public and public-private collaboration.

Within this framework of competence, and in accordance with the provisions of article 22.2.c) of Law 38/2003, of 17 November, General Subsidies, the direct granting of subsidies to entities whose continued and accredited activity is essential for the strengthening of the Spanish tourist ecosystem is considered justified.

The proposed rule aims to ensure the continuity of strategic actions developed by entities with a consolidated trajectory in the tourism field, allowing them to have additional resources to promote initiatives aimed at:

• The environmental, social and economic sustainability of tourism.
• The seasonalization and diversification of the offer.
• Improving the competitiveness and quality of tourist destinations and products.

The absence of a specific regulatory framework would prevent the execution of these actions, generating a negative impact on the planning and stability of the sector.

The approval of the royal decree is necessary to guarantee the continuity of programs and projects that, due to their strategic nature and their contribution to the general interest, require stable public support. The timeliness of the rule is determined by the extension of the General State Budgets for 2023, applicable to the financial year 2026, which include allocations for these subsidies.

The main objective of this Royal Decree is to establish the legal framework applicable to the direct award, on an exceptional basis, of grants to organisations whose activities are essential to the implementation of public tourism policies. The intended beneficiaries include the following associations, foundations and organisations representing the sector:

The Institute for Spanish Tourism Quality (ICTE), the Hotel Technology Institute Association (ITH), the Group of World Heritage Cities of Spain (GCPHE), the Saborea España Association, the Spanish Association of Small and Medium-sized Wine-producing Towns (ACEVIN), the Ecotourism Association of Spain (AEE), the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain, the Spanish Association of Film and Television Commissioners – Spain Film Commission, the Association for Environmental and Consumer Education (ADEAC), the ONCE Foundation, the Impulsa Igualdad España Confederation, the Association of Tourist Castles and Palaces of Spain, the Alliance of Sun and Beach Tourist Municipalities, the Spanish Hospitality Business Confederation, the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), Exceltur (Alliance for Tourism Excellence), the Association of Municipalities of the Ignatian Way, the Forum of Renowned Spanish Brands, and the Mas Miró Foundation.

Regulation by royal decree is the only appropriate way to approve special regulatory rules in accordance with article 28 of Law 38/2003.

The alternative of not regulating would imply the impossibility of executing essential actions for the tourism sector, negatively affecting its competitiveness, sustainability and territorial cohesion.

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