article_detail

Last October, Cartagena City Council approved the celebration of weddings and other touristy events on the municipality’s beaches with the great expectation that this would create jobs and attract more visitors during off-peak months. Sadly, the endeavour has been bit of a flop: Of the 83 weddings booked with the council since, 82 were celebrated at the Town Hall and just one on the coast.

 

The new initiative seemed promising when the first beach wedding was held on Levante beach in Cabo de Palos last November but since then, only two more have been scheduled – one this coming September 30 in Cala Cortina and a second in La Azohía in October.

 

These figures are unexpectedly “low” for the president of the Association of Hospitality and Tourist Accommodation Entrepreneurs of Cartagena and the Region (Hostecar), Fransisco Garnero, “especially taking into account the popularity that these types of celebrations are reaching.”

 

As well as throwing more weight behind promoting beach weddings, the president has also proposed advertising Cartagena as a “gay friendly” destination, a move which has really boosted year-round tourism in cities like Reykjavik, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and San Francisco. This would certainly increase tourism, he said, not only in terms of wedding bookings but also for events and activities run by the gay community.

 

The image of the Mar Menor is also a concern. While Europe’s saltwater lagoon offers “an unbeatable location” for nuptials, as well as a wide range of top-class hotels, another episode of anoxia would decimate bookings.

 

In total, there are 16 points on the Cartagena coast suitable for hosting weddings and other ceremonies: Cala de Turco, Entremares beach, three areas of Vivero beach, Cavanna beach, Ciervo beach, and Galúa beach, Levante beach and Cala Reona, La Azohía and San Ginés beaches, Cala Cortina, Estrella de Mar beach, Mar de Cristal beach and Villas Caravaning beach.

 

Weddings can’t be held during the peak season between June 15 and September 15.

 

In other news: The Terra Natura Waterpark opens for the summer season this month

 

Image: Freepik