UEMA has been meditating since April, i.e. asking several questions: What impact does tourism have on the use of languages? Is it possible to increase the use of Basque in localities that receive a large number of tourists? And can highlighting the Basque language as a heritage or promoting events related to the Basque language in particular transform the visitor experience?

In addition to the reflections, simple actions are beginning to take place. Recently, I was informed about the LIGHT project. The City Council of Azpeitia has created a website with the aim of putting the Basque language at the centre of the tourist offer.

In Orio, before the month of August, they will visit the bars and restaurants of the town one by one to offer them the means to give their linguistic landscape in Basque. They will give you support to put in Basque menus, price lists, posters of offers, messages on external boards, etc. In addition to providing the means, they will try to explain to the guests that Basque is the brand of the people. The other establishments will be visited in the autumn.

Zumaia prepares the questionnaire and distributes it in the following areas: the hotel accommodation of the town, the Alroa Interpretation Center and the boats of the guided tours of Geopark. Visitors will be asked about their perception of Basque.

Basque to the foreground in Baztan, Malerreka and Bortzirieta

It was a request made by these municipalities and communities. When the Government was preparing the Tourism Strategic Plan, two specific demands were made. On the one hand, the presence or preference of the Basque language in the supports or actions in the tourist promotion of the region. On the other hand, they also refer to the language as they refer to culture, customs or landscape in promotional media. The strategic plan recognizes that “Basque is an important and special cultural heritage”.