The latest strategy for promoting Basque tourism will principally target the Spanish market and give particular coverage to gastronomy and wine-tourism, short getaways, tours of a few days and conferences.

Basque Councilor for Industry, Innovation, Commerce and Tourism, Bernabé Unda, presented the Government''s new approach to Tourism before the Basque parliament on Monday.

The latest strategy, to be carried out over the next four years, is aimed fundamentally at strengthening the core themes of: food and wine tourism; short tours around the Basque Country; city breaks and conferences

Furthermore, it will seek to promote three key products: rural tourism; the combination of nature with adventure; culture and cultural events.

An oasis

Basque President Patxi López, meanwhile, speaking at a conference in Barcelona, upheld the success of the political change led by his socialist government since its investiture last May, thanks to a pact with the conservative PP. He defined Euskadi as an "oasis" within the current tensions which lately sum up Spanish politics.

López considers that "a major part of the change" undertaken by his government is in place, having exchanged permanent conflict for dialogue and harmony.

The lehendakari opened his address by recalling that he assumed the role (of Basque President) after "a decade of sovereigntist policies, intense conflict and challenges to state," amid a profound economic crisis and continuing terror campaign of ETA. The President concluded by saying that in the last nine months, the Basque Country had gone from being a place "known for its conflicts" to being "envied on the Spanish political scene for the way it performs politics".