Passage to Portugal

Betty Henderson

WITH the return of international travel and a focus on sustainable transport, Spanish train company Iryo’s plans for a new link between Spanish cities and the

Portuguese capital of Lisbon seem to have charmed the European Union.

The European Commission announced its endorsement for a rail link between A Coruña and Lisbon, placing it on their top 10 list of rail projects to be carried out in the near future.

The train company expressed their delight at being selected but said that “obstacles” remain in their path to creating the rail link, particularly in the lack of infrastructure agreements between Portugal and Spain.

Portugal currently has very limited rail infrastructure which the company believes will “serve as an impetus for other companies to develop their own sustainable transport”.

However, Iryo remains ambitious about the project saying, “This train will become the most popular choice with travellers since it will be comfortable and sustainable”. Iryo already operates several train lines in Spain including a highspeed service from Madrid to Barcelona and connections to the south of the country.

Important congress

BARCELONA is set to host the International Social Housing Festival ( ISHF), the most important international social housing congress in Europe

On June 7, 8 and 9, the fourth edition of the ISHF will be held at the Palau de Congressos de Barcelona, which expects to bring together between 1,500 and 2,000 attendees from all over the world.

While habitat systems around the world have experienced a decline in the role of the public sector in the regulation and direct provision of habitat in recent decades, in some cities - including Barcelonainnovative habitat policies are being implemented to respond to the social emergency, as a result of the financialisation of habitat, the lack of affordability, inequalities, and the increase in sentiment or migratory flows, among other phenomena.

In addition to the main events at the Palau de Congressos, the ISHF will feature around 100 activities, including parallel sessions and visits, and is expected to attract between 1,500 and 2,000 visitors.

This figure is more than any other country worldwide.

The list recognises villages which are excellent examples of rural tourism with accredited cultural and natural assets, that preserve and promote rural and communitybased values, products, and lifestyle. Included destinations must have a clear commitment to innovation and sustainability in all its aspects: economic, social and environmental.

The three villages in Spain included in the list: Alquezar in Aragon; Rupit in Catalonia; and Guadalupe in Extremadura, all meet the criteria.

Manuel Butler, the Director of the Spanish Tourist Office in the UK, confirmed: “We are delighted that the United Nations World Tourism Organisation has placed Spain as the country with the most appearances in their list of Best Tourism Villages around the world.”

“We aim to promote community-led tourism across Spain and are thrilled at the international recognition of Spanish sustainable tourism in all aspects.”

€220 has been charged to thousands of self-employed people in Spain accidentally.