Within the framework of the III Gastronomic Forum “You Will Like Aragón,” an event that brought together today in Aragón the main actors of the agri-food and tourism value chain, we spoke with Fernando Martín, president of CEHTA. With the satisfaction of someone who sees the data supporting years of work, Martín analyzes the historic moment the sector is experiencing and the challenges that will define its immediate future.
An Economic Giant of 4 Billion Euros
For Fernando Martín, there is no doubt: tourism and gastronomy have ceased to be secondary sectors and have become fundamental pillars. «It is consolidating as an economic engine within the region and even at the national level,» he asserts emphatically.
The figures that the president of the Aragonese hoteliers manages are compelling:
Impact on GDP: The sector represents more than 6.80% of the regional GDP.
Multiplier effect: Adding accommodation raises the figure to 8%, and it reaches an impressive 11% when considering the entire food and distribution chain.
Business strength: Aragón has more than 9,000 companies and generates employment for 55,000 workers.
Business volume: The sector complements GDP with more than 4 billion euros.
The «Gastro» Tourist: Spends More and Returns More
One of the key points highlighted by Martín is the change in the profile of the visitor. «One in three tourists comes for the gastronomy,» he explains. This data is complemented by the fact that the food and drink experience in the Community receives a rating of 4.5 out of 5, surpassing other elements of the tourism offering.
Furthermore, the impact on spending is direct: one third of each tourist’s expenditure goes to gastronomy. Following a 2025 that marked the best year in history for Aragonese tourism with more than 6 million hotel travelers, the goal is clear: for gastronomy to be the decisive factor in destination choice and visit memory.
Social Sustainability: The Employment Challenge
Despite the success, Martín does not ignore the «obstacles.» The main one is employment, a problem he defines as «structural» and global. To address it, he highlights the Social Sustainability Plan for Tourism in Aragón, a pioneering initiative funded by European funds (MRR) that CEHTA is developing alongside the General Directorate of Tourism.
«It is the only plan at the national level developed by a private entity. We seek to highlight what tourism contributes to the territory — our history, nature, and culture — and, above all, to enhance the social prestige of our professionals,» says Martín.
This plan is already showing tangible results, such as the creation of a code of good practices that has now certified one hundred establishments in the region. The final objective is clear: to consolidate a quality model that allows, in Martín’s words, for «tourism and gastronomy for a long time.»
