The Way of the Holy Grail in Europe was distinguished with the FOTUR 2025 Tourism Award during a gala at the Palau Alameda in Valencia, consolidating its position as a cultural project of European scope that unites heritage, identity, tradition and territorial development. The event, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Federation of Leisure and Tourism (FOTUR), brought together institutional representatives and tourism professionals to recognize initiatives contributing to the sector's growth in the Valencian Community.
Dr. Ana Mafé García, president of the cultural itinerary and international reference in the scientific study of the Holy Chalice of the Cathedral of Valencia, attended alongside other project leaders to accept the award. Their presence underscored the institutional, academic and strategic nature of an itinerary that strengthens the cultural projection of the Valencian Community in Europe. The award recognizes The Way of the Holy Grail as a symbol of culture, tradition and territorial structuring in dialogue with other tourism and cultural references.
The Way of the Holy Grail is a European cultural itinerary of historical, patrimonial and spiritual nature that highlights the documented and symbolic route of the Holy Chalice guarded in the Cathedral of Valencia. This long-term cultural and touristic project connects territories, cities and landscapes of the Mediterranean basin and Europe through a common story based on history, culture, spirituality, art and knowledge. More information about the project can be found at https://www.thewayoftheholygrail.com.
Conceived as a tool for territorial structuring and sustainable development, the itinerary aligns with European values of cultural cooperation, intercultural dialogue, peace and social cohesion. Through cultural, educational, academic and tourist actions, the project contributes to deseasonalisation of tourism, the dynamization of rural environments and the enhancement of tangible and intangible heritage. The initiative integrates historical routes linking the Middle East, Italy, France and Spain, with special prominence of Aragon and Valencia as key territories in the arrival and custody of the Holy Chalice.
The project's strategic importance extends beyond tourism to include academic validation through an International Scientific Commission for the Study of the Holy Grail, which provides academic rigour to the historical and symbolic narrative. The itinerary works toward certification as a European Cultural Route of the Council of Europe, positioning Valencia and the Valencian Community as international benchmarks in cultural, spiritual and knowledge tourism. This recognition reinforces the project's role as a strategic cultural initiative aligned with sustainability, European identity and heritage enhancement values.
For business and technology leaders, this development represents how cultural heritage projects can drive regional economic development through sustainable tourism models. The integration of historical narrative with modern tourism infrastructure demonstrates how traditional assets can be leveraged for contemporary economic benefit while preserving cultural identity. The project's emphasis on deseasonalisation and rural dynamization offers lessons for other regions seeking to balance tourism growth with community sustainability and heritage preservation.
