TOURISM PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
PLAN FOR TERRA DE COMTES I ABATS

WHAT IS A DEVELOPMENT PLAN?

Tourism Product Development Plans are new initiatives being promoted by the General Secretariat for Tourism of the Catalan Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade. The aim is to optimise the natural, cultural and heritage resources of emerging tourist destinations and turn them into tourism products.

The objectives of these Tourism Product Development Plans are:

- To increase the quality of tourism services at destination
- To improve the municipalities' natural and urban environments
- To expand and improve public space
- To increase, diversify and improve the range of complementary tourism products
- To optimise tourism resources
- To create new products
- To educate and encourage the involvement of the local people and organisations in a quality culture

TOURISM PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR TERRA DE COMTES I ABATS

As part of the 2005-2010 Tourism Strategic Plan for Catalonia, the idea behind the TERRA DE COMTES i ABATS, Tourism Product Development Plan is to optimise both the tangible and intangible aspects of Ripollès' cultural and natural heritage as a region at the heart of the origins of Catalonia, thereby creating a sustainable tourism product.
Ripollès is the setting for the legend of Otger Cataló and the Nine Barons of Catalonia, who swore their oaths of allegiance at Montgrony. It is the site of the House of Barcelona's family vault, at Ripoll Monastery, as well as of extraordinary historical figures such as Count Wilfred the Hairy, Abbot Oliba and Abbess Emma. Not forgetting, of course, the legend of Count Arnau, itself closely linked to Sant Joan de les Abadesses Monastery and the Renaissance. It is these stories and events that have led to the Ripollès region being traditionally considered the birthplace of Catalonia.
It is a question, then, of converting a series of important monuments and impressive landscapes into a competitive and sustainable tourism product that will generate a positive impact on local development.

The partnership agreement was signed on 30 October 2008 between:

• Turespaña
• Department of Innovation, Universities and Business
• Ripollès Development Consortium
• Ripoll Traders' Union
• Sant Joan de les Abadesses Traders' Union

The TERRA DE COMTES I ABATS Tourism Product Development Plan has a total budget of €3,950,001, split into annual allowances for the 2008-2011 period, and financed in equal parts by:

• Turespaña   1.316.667€
• Department of Innovation, Universities and Business 1.316.667€
• Ripollès Development Consortium 1.316.667€

During the TERRA DE COMTES I ABATS Tourism Product Development Plan's first year, a total of €1,181,460.01 was invested, and an investment of €1,174,201.01 is expected in the second year.

Terra de Comtes i Abats hopes to get the following up-and-running:

• Legend of Count Arnau Interpretation Centre at the Abbot's Palace in Sant Joan de les Abadesses
• Ripoll Monastery Interpretation Centre, which will focus on key figures in the birth of Catalonia: Count Wilfred the Hairy and Abbot Oliba
• Permanent exhibition space in Montgrony focusing on Otger Cataló and the Nine Barons of Catalonia.

As well as a series of actions geared towards:

• The creation of tourist package deals
• Training for professionals within the tourism sector
• The promotion of Terra de Comtes i Abats
• Awareness-raising activities aimed at the local population