The European Cultural Route 'The Way of the Holy Grail' distinguishes the scientific work of Dancausa Millán and Millán Vázquez de la Torre, an international benchmark in oleotourism and heritage tourism.
VALENCIA, SPAIN, November 20, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Cordoba is placed on the international map of tourism research with the work of the researchers and doctors María Genoveva Millán Vázquez de la Torre and María Genoveva Dancausa Millán, awarded for their contribution to the promotion of tourism as a tool for deseasonalization and territorial and economic regeneration of the municipalities of the province of Córdoba and, therefore, of Andalusia.
The award comes from the International Association Cultural Itinerary The Way of the Holy Grail in Europe https://elcaminodelsantogrial.eu/, which grants them the Artistic Recognition #verysentirlacultura "Valencia, City of the Grail" https://www.valenciaciudaddelgrial.com/2025-26, in its 2025/26 edition, whose delivery took place this Saturday, November 15 at the Cherry Blossom Valencia: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570375871319
The award, promoted by the Losan Clinical Optical Centre https://opticaclinicalosan.es/servicios-optica-valencia/, distinguishes its scientific work aimed at linking the agri-food and cultural heritage of the rural world with sustainable tourism, turning local traditions into economic opportunities and regeneration of the territory. Its approach, based on data analysis and innovation, allows the creation of proposals that generate added value, boost the local economy and reinforce the identity of the municipalities or tourist destinations in Cordoba.
However, the research carried out by both provides concrete data on the impact of tourism in the province, offering information of high strategic value for companies and administrations. Likewise, its conclusions make it possible to design tourist experiences and proposals that not only reinforce the authenticity and local heritage identity, but also promote sustainability, job creation and economic competitiveness for commerce, companies and local businesses.
Data on the impact of gastronomic tourism in Cordoba
In the study coordinated by Professor Dancausa Millán, carried out through surveys of 470 oleotourists between October 2023 and June 2024, it was identified that the main motivations of the gastronomic tourist are to learn about the production processes in oil mills, wineries or factories, a reason indicated by 50.1% of the people surveyed; taste the local cuisine, according to 40.8%; and attending gastronomic festivals in third place in importance.
The analysis also reveals a profile of middle-aged visitors, with a medium or higher level of education and moderate purchasing power. Specifically, 57.4% are men and 42.6% women, with a predominant age range between 50 and 59 years old (30.4%), followed by the 30 to 39 age group (27.5%).
In terms of educational level, 32.6% have secondary or vocational training, while 29.3% have university studies, which reflects a profile of visitors with good academic training.
Overall, the Cordoban oleotourist is characterized by being an adult visitor, with training and economic stability, motivated by cultural and gastronomic interest, who makes short getaways to enjoy authentic experiences related to the world of olive oil.
For her part, the research of Professor Millán Vázquez de la Torre extends this focus to rural and heritage tourism, identifying segments of visitors who seek authenticity, nature and heritage through thematic routes linked to wine, oil or ham; in addition to emerging modalities such as religious tourism or heritage cemeteries. Its analysis allows segmenting demand according to motivation, spending, origin and season, generating useful tools for designing tourism products.
In addition, all her research work has allowed the international projection of the Andalusian cultural, gastronomic, religious and rural heritage through the Journal of Tourism and Heritage Research, of which she is director, and the International Scientific-Professional Congress of Cultural Tourism, a unique academic event in the Spanish language that has placed Loyola University as an axis of knowledge in tourism, heritage and sustainability. This congress will celebrate its XII edition in 2026 in the Portuguese city of Tomar, under the slogan: "Responsible cultural tourism: preserve, respect and share".
Cordoba, a point of connection between culture and science
This award, promoted by the Losan Clinical Optical Center in its #verysentirlacultura program and the Cultural Itinerary The Way of the Holy Grail in Europe, distinguishes different female trajectories for their contribution to the world of culture, art and science. This year's edition has the collaboration of Hotel One Shot Puerta Ruzafa https://www.oneshothotels.com/es/hoteles/valencia/puerta-ruzafa/?msclkid=f4df38317a6e12a34c38512b33f4db04, Don DJ https://www.valenciaconventionbureau.com/organiza-tu-evento/servicios-para-eventos/Dondj and Valencia Noticias marks a turning point, by recognising for the first time an academic work with a direct impact on the economy and tourism planning in a territory.
Likewise, the recognition accredits the contribution of both researchers to the dissemination of the agri-food and cultural heritage of Cordoba and Andalusia, within the framework of the Jubilee Year of the Holy Chalice (Valencia, 2025/26). In addition, it strengthens the ties between the European Cultural Route of The Way of the Holy Grail and the Andalusian academic community, since both Dancausa Millán and Millán Vázquez de la Torre have opted to disseminate culture and heritage from a scientific perspective.
Precisely, the International Association Cultural Itinerary The Way of the Holy Grail in Europe works to value the historical, artistic and spiritual heritage linked to the Holy Chalice of Valencia, encouraging cooperation between territories and promoting projects that unite culture, science and local development.
The Holy Chalice of the Cathedral of Valencia maintains a deep relationship with the city of Cordoba, since the base that supports the cup – added in the eleventh century – comes from the splendid Caliphate of Cordoba. This historical link places Cordoba as the starting point of the Andalusian route of The Way of the Holy Grail, an itinerary that backbones the territory from Andalusia to the Valencian Community, passing through Murcia, and that symbolically unites the cultural, artistic and spiritual heritage of Al-Andalus with the Christian legacy that guards the relic in the Cathedral of Valencia.
Report by Will McCarthy
Article copyright '24/7 Valencia'
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