Galicia backs food and wine tourism with €5.5m boost

Galicia is investing €5.5 million into its food and wine tourism sector, aiming to position itself as a leading destination for food and wine travel in Spain and beyond.  The funding, announced by the Xunta de Galicia, will support 56 projects across the region’s four provinces - La Coruña, Lugo, Orense and Pontevedra - and forms part of a wider €34.5 million Galicia Territorial Enogastronomy Plan to promote sustainable tourism.

Split funding targets digital, infrastructure and hospitality upgrades

The €5.5 million will be distributed across three core areas. The largest share, €2.61 million, is allocated to improving hotels, restaurants, and wineries with direct links to vineyards. The goal is to enhance visitor experience and promote Galicia’s wine culture through upgraded, more immersive tourism infrastructure. A further €2.3 million will go towards expanding accommodation, with a focus on food and wine-related stays. The aim is to increase capacity while also offering hands-on visitor activities such as tastings, wine tours, and regional cookery workshops. Digital transformation is also on the agenda. Galicia will invest €590,000 into digital tourism tools such as apps, virtual tours and augmented reality experiences, designed to modernise how visitors engage with the region’s wines and gastronomy.

Focus on sustainability and rural development

The projects span a broad range of initiatives, from improving energy efficiency in rural lodgings to creating new interactive wine experiences. La Coruña will see seven projects centred on energy upgrades and wine tourism improvements. Lugo will host ten initiatives, including digitalisation and culinary development. Orense has been awarded funding for 20 projects, with a strong focus on expanding wine tourism through guided tastings and food pairings. Pontevedra will lead with 19 projects promoting local gastronomy and immersive visitor experiences. All efforts feed into the Galicia Enogastronomy Sustainability Plan, which supports the development of Sustainable Tourism Destination Plans across 80 municipalities. The plan prioritises environmentally responsible tourism while protecting the region’s wine and culinary heritage.

Economic impact

The investment is expected to deliver long-term benefits for Galicia’s tourism sector and wider economy. By upgrading infrastructure and embracing sustainable tourism, the region hopes to drive higher visitor numbers, extend stays, and support local food and wine producers. The strategy also aims to decentralise tourism, spreading economic opportunity across rural communities while promoting Galicia’s traditional products and cultural identity. With tradition, innovation and sustainability at its core, Galicia’s enogastronomy offering looks set to become a major draw for international travellers seeking authentic wine and food experiences.