ELE workshop in Istambul - Language tourism

The Spanish Tourist Board in Rome participated in Encuentro ELE 2026, held in Istanbul, an international event dedicated to the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language that brought together Spanish teachers, education professionals and travel agents specialising in language tourism. OET Rome’s participation focused on a conference about Spanish language learning and language tourism in Spain, highlighting the country’s wide range of destinations and study options for international students. During the session, different learning formats were presented, including intensive courses, long-term programmes and immersive experiences combined with cultural, gastronomic and local activities. The presentation emphasised language tourism as a comprehensive experience that goes far beyond learning the language itself, allowing students to engage directly with Spanish culture, traditions, gastronomy and way of life. It also highlighted the diversity of destinations Spain offers for studying Spanish, catering to different profiles, age groups and interests, as well as the high quality of its specialised educational institutions.

The event also provided an excellent opportunity to exchange experiences and strengthen collaboration with professionals from the education and tourism sectors interested in promoting Spain as a leading destination for learning Spanish. The presence of travel agents specialising in language tourism further contributed to showcasing opportunities for cooperation and the development of programmes aimed at international markets. Through this participation, the Spanish Tourist Board in Rome continues to reinforce the promotion of Spain as a leading destination for language tourism, highlighting the value of the Spanish language as a cultural bridge and a driver of authentic and enriching experiences.