Interview with Cesar Alba Consul General of Spain, Mumbai


How long have you been in India and how long has the Consulate General of Spain been in Mumbai? I arrived in Mumbai at the end of March 2007 with the principal mission of opening a Spanish Consulate. This included activities such as finding space for the office, finding space to live and finding personnel. That has been my primary job until a few months ago. The Spanish Government has now divided India into two sectors. Those in states to the north and east of Delhi can get their visas processed in Delhi, while the rest can get their visas processed in Mumbai. The role of the Consulate's Office is not just to issue visas however. We also assist in developing trade and investment relations. The Spanish Consulate itself is the umbrella for all other offices providing advisory services between Spain and India. The Spanish Tourism Office will be opening in India towards the end of this year and we are assisting with that. Our role is also to sponsor any activity which promotes the image of Spain.

What are the areas where India and Spain can exchange ideas and expertise in the field of trade and how does your office plan to play a role in forging these alliances? Up until now, neither India nor Spain has been a priority for each other. We have focussed on different areas. For Spain, it has been South America. There is a historical reason for this, as well as the similarity in language. Businessmen like to go to a country where they speak their own language. The Spanish businessman would obviously be more interested in South America as he can make himself understood much easier. There is also a common culture. The way of doing business is very similar. India has its own style of doing business. It is advisable to find a partner in India for important projects. With the opening of the Spanish Consulate in Mumbai, our goal is to forge such alliances and build relationships through exchange of trade and culture.

How many travellers visit Spain every year and what is the expected growth of visitors you see from the Indian market in the coming year? Spain receives 40000 to 45000 Indian tourists a year. From Spain to India, the numbers are probably less. This is because it is expensive to get here and the infrastructure pricing has gone up tremendously, such as the increase in hotel prices. We are seeing a growing interest in each other's countries however, and we are doing everything we can to make this trend continue.

What are the regions one can explore in Spain and how many days would one need to explore the major sights of Spain? It depends on what you are looking for. Spain offers everything. For those looking for culture, it offers historical monuments. In fact, the entirety of Spain is dotted with historical monuments. For those looking for gastronomy and fine cuisine, each region of Spain has its own type of kitchen. Even the wines are different from each region. Each region has something particular to offer because the climate is different. It depends on what you want. From sun and beaches to snow and skiing, Spain offers it all. If you are looking for some of the best restaurants in the world, you will find them in Spain. If you are looking for some of the best museums in the world, you will find them in Spain. Whatever you are looking for, you will find the niche that suits you in Spain.While visiting Spain, you will have to go to a number of cities, with each offering something different. I think to truly experience Spain you would need a minimum of 15 days. You cannot get much out of a visit where you go to Europe for 20 days and only stay 2 to 3 days at each destination. For simply shopping, such an itinerary would be acceptable, but to get into the heart of a country you should stay much longer.

How different is Spain compared to other European destinations in terms of value? I would say it is the best value-for-money destination. Spain is definitely cheaper than either France or the UK. You pay less in Spain, but receive much more in terms of quality. On a broader scale, I do not like to compare destinations, especially the ones in Europe since Europe as a continent has so much to offer - each city has its own flavour and our continent is rich in history with diverse cultures from the Romans, the Arabs and the Christians. Spain as a country has its own diverse cultural landscape which you must experience for yourself.

What is the best time to visit Spain ? Although most tourists visit Spain from May to October because of the weather as during this period the days are longer as well, we generally have a warm climate all year round due to the strategic location of our country. Hence, you can enjoy the country not only in spring and summer but in winter and autumn as well.We receive 65 million visitors a year and half of those are in the two summer months. Thus, you are competing with 30 million other visitors for facilities. I would recommend visiting Spain either in Spring or Autumn. Fortunately, in India the summer holidays are April to June which would be an ideal time to visit Spain.

What is the potential of Spain as a MICE destination? Spain is amongst the top 3 destinations in the world for the MICE (Meetings, Incentive, Congresses and Exhibitions) market and is the top destination for the Incentive market and has several year round Trade Fairs as well. Spain has the advantage of the sun and enjoys ambient temperatures. It is one of the few countries where you can enjoy golfing all year round.Spain has 166 different centres providing conference and convention facilities with more than 750 halls able to seat 558000 delegates with close to 50 major conference centres. In addition, there are 36 business tourism promotional offices and the MICE segment of travellers can choose from over a thousand 3, 4 and 5 star category of hotels offering at one time more than 250000 rooms. Well known national and international architects have created some of the most exciting and innovative conference centres; designed by famous international architects such as Rafael Moneo, Norman Foster and Ricardo Bofill and all of these together characterize the quality of the services on offer.Spain has facilities for MICE tours in every major city. In fact, this is one of the reasons for the increase in tourism figures. In the winter months instead of having a convention where it is cold and windy, it would be nicer to have it in Malaga where you have beautiful weather to play golf or swim in the sea.

Which according to you are the famous icons of Spain? (Bull fights, football, etc)Most countries have one major national icon but in case of Spain there are many national icons. There is the Moorish Palace of the Alhambra in Granada, in the region of Andalucía. There is the Mezquita de Cordoba which is both a mosque and a church, the Sagrada Família in Barcelona in the region of Cataluna, the Palacio Real de Madrid, Museo Guggenheim in Bilbao, Ciudad de las Artes y de la Ciencias, the Catedral de Santiago de Compostela, the Molinos de Viento (Windmills) and the Albacete in Castilla la Mancha to name a few.If you want to have a romantic walk in Spain, it should be done at night in the area of the Alhambra. You can walk in its gardens during the summer. I think this is just as romantic as a walk around the Taj Mahal. There are plenty of other areas around Spain offering similar experiences.

Can you tell us about the siesta and fiesta way of life? Spanish people in general are happy to receive foreigners. They are very welcoming and hospitable. Our outlook to life is quite different. We have a passion for life and this is displayed by our hospitality and lifestyle. There is practically no exception. Our way of life in some respects is very Indian. We like our food and we like our music. The siesta was something started by the agricultural community. When it is 45 degrees Celsius in the afternoon, you certainly cannot work in the fields. It was much more intelligent to work when the sun is not at its most intense. You would work early morning and late afternoon and rest in between. That was the reason for the siesta. Spain is well known for the vibrant nightlife especially in cities like Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia. Spain is also known for its wide variety of cuisine - the paellas, the tapas - which have become a synonymous part of Spanish lifestyle and cuisine. You can walk into a bar to have a cerveza (beer) or wine and enjoy the wide variety of tapas (an appetizer or small snack) that come along with it and this has been a long tradition of the Spanish culture.Spain loves its fiestas and the fiesta is the spirit of Spain. The most internationally well-known festival would the bull running of San Fermin at Pamplona in early July. The night before is spent eating and drinking, so when the time comes to run with the bulls in the early morning, a lot of runners are full of wine to help with the courage needed. Each region has its own festivals. In Bunol, you also have the Tomatina. In Valencia, you have the burning on the night of San Juan where they burn enormous figures made out of Paper Mache. There are also numerous religious processions where the people wear habits and display their statues and icons. I do not think there is any city or town in Spain that does not have its own fiesta. Each one has its own speciality.

What does Spain have to offer to the discerning traveller? Madrid, which is the gateway city and capital of Spain, is famous for its dynamism and its excellent nightlife. Barcelona in the Cataluna region is well known for its cosmopolitan style and rich architecture. The Sagrada Familia and the Gothic architecture including the world renowned architecture of Gaudi are all a photographer's delight. Green Spain is well known for its mountains and the excellent gastronomy. South of Spain has great Islamic influence dating back to the 7 centuries of Moorish rule and in Granada in the region of Andalucia you can see the famous Moorish Palace of the Alhambra. There are the two archipelagos - the Baleares and Canaries which are year round holiday destinations as well as the central regions of medieval Spain, especially Castilla Leon and Castilla La Mancha.Spain is renowned for its gastronomy as well as culture, especially the Golden Art Triangle in Madrid comprising of the Prado, the Reina Sofia and the Thyssen Bornemisza which has the greatest art collections in the western world and the three museums are minutes away from each other For the shopaholics, you have fine shopping with well known local brands such as Zara, Mango, Loewe, Camper and Purificacion Garcia to name a few. If you want to go trekking, Spain is one of the best places for trekking activities. You can find most activities having to do with nature and adventure in Spain. Spain is also one of the less populated countries in Europe. While it is difficult to find a square kilometre in India where you do not see one person, you can go 100 kilometres in Spain without seeing one person. There are immense natural landscapes which you can experience in private. If you are looking for sports, many activities are offered in Spain. A popular sport which is exclusive to Spain is bullfighting. Another important product is golf. Spain has the biggest golf offer in Europe with more than 250 golf courses including the well known Valderrama Golf Club.

Which is your preferred tourist destination in Spain during summer and during winter? My preferred destination for a holiday in Spain would be the countryside. I am very familiar with Spain so I would like to go to some forgotten part of the countryside and rest there. You have been in India since March 2007. Which is your preferred holiday destination in India and what has been your overall experience during this tenure?I definitely have not been able to travel as much as I have wanted to. My first priority since arriving in India has been to open a Spanish Consulate. I have been to Rajasthan, Agra and Goa. I would like to concentrate more on South India now. I really enjoyed Rajasthan though. It has a depth of life which is breathtaking.

What is the awareness of India amongst the people of Spain in terms of opportunities in trade and tourism? There has always been an interest in India among Spaniards. There have always been Spanish tourists coming to India. Lately, it has been less but that is because mass tourism is not as possible as it once was because of the increase in prices. Visitors from Spain would normally stay for 15 to 20 days in India allowing them to experience most of the country.

On your personal side, what aspect of your role as a Consul General do you find most interesting and most challenging? The most interesting aspect of opening an office is the legal intricacies of the city itself and the complications you encounter. Each country has its own complexities. Opening up an office in Mumbai has a lot of complexities. You find many surprises. Your message to the readers who plan to visit Spain in the near future: You must visit Spain for not less than 10 days. Spain is a country for all seasons. It offers year round sunshine, excellent food, warm hospitality, fantastic places to see - choice of over 30 World Heritage sites, amazing architecture, renowned museums, finest beaches, and importantly it is 20% to 30% cheaper than most European destinations. It is a melting pot for all cultures and whether it is for the MICE segment or a leisure traveller you can have your most exciting holiday as a tourist and carry back wonderful memories with a desire to visit the country again.