MDE presented the 5th TWF Awards at FITUR

The Women's Association for Dialogue and Education (MDE) presented the 5th Tourism Women Friendly (TWF) Awards, the only ones of their kind in Spain, on its stand at FITUR 2024. Giovanna G. de Calderón, president of MDE, highlighted the importance of creating products related to women and tourism, as they make up 65% of single travellers. She also pointed out that the Tourism Women Friendly (TWF) awards, in its two categories, Destination and Experience, were created to give visibility to women and to learn about those that are most relevant in Spain.

The award in the "Best Destination" category went to the ‘Ruta de los Lavaderos’, created by El Castañar Women’s Association of Mecina Bombarón, a ‘Magical Town’ in the municipality of Alpujarra de la Sierra. The ‘Ruta de los Lavaderos’ is a circuit through fountains, public wash houses, ditches and ponds that draws attention to the beauty and richness of this heritage and, at the same time, pays tribute to the women who worked in these places in difficult circumstances. The need to use water for all daily tasks made the public washing places essential for maintaining community life in this territory and were a meeting point for the region's neighbours. As well as a place of work where, among jars, jugs, water pitchers, cauldrons and tin buckets, the women also found here a place to share knowledge, sorrows, laughter and problems.

The work of El Castañar Women's Association of Mecina Bombarón, both for the creation of this original itinerary that gives visibility to its neighbours, and for the reconstruction of the memory of the women in its history, have resulted in it being nominated for the "best destination” award. Ana Larrañaga, Trade Fair Director at IFEMA, presented the award on behalf of The Women's Association for Dialogue and Education to Matilde Ruiz Pelegrina, president of the El Castañar Women's Association, who collected the prize.

Best experience

The trophy in the "Best Experience" category went to Etheria Magazine, for being the first travel magazine aimed at a female audience in Spain. Created in 2018 by journalists specialising in tourism with a long history in the publishing industry, it focuses on the needs of women travellers and provides the necessary information resources to enjoy every getaway, whether alone, with friends, a partner or with the whole family. The contents of EtheriaMagazine.com focus on women as the decision-makers in their travels and those around them. Articles on destinations, culture, gastronomy and health are combined with interviews and inspiring stories of female entrepreneurs and tourism businesswomen.

Creating a magazine in this category dedicated to women is no easy task. This product has carefully considered content and gives visibility to the women who are the protagonists. This has resulted in Etheria Magazine being selected as the perfect candidate in the "Best Experience" category of the 5th Tourism Women Friendly Awards. Enrique Sancho, member of the Jury and managing Director of FEPET, was in charge of presenting the award to Pepa García, Content Director of Etheria Magazine, on behalf of The Women's Association for Dialogue and Education.