The Provincial Gala of the Lucense Hospitality Sector brought the industry together in Ribadeo, with Apehl highlighting training and promotion as key to the future
13.04.2026. The annual gathering of hospitality professionals from the province of Lugo, organized by the Provincial Association of Hospitality and Tourism Entrepreneurs of Lugo (Apehl), was held this evening at the Voar restaurant in Ribadeo, with a dinner served by Eventos Mesón de Alberto, bringing together nearly 200 attendees including hospitality professionals, authorities, suppliers, and representatives of the sector.
During the event, the Toda unha vida nos fogóns awards were presented, through which Apehl recognized this year the careers of Áurea Rodríguez Toirán, from Restaurante Río Loyo (Paradela); José Manuel Fontal Vázquez (Pepe), from Hotel Roma (Sarria); Jesús Galdo Sánchez, from Val do Naseiro (Viveiro); and Ramón Álvarez López. The awardees received a Sargadelos piece bearing the gastronomic tourism brand “…E para comer, Lugo”.
Following the awards ceremony, institutional speeches took place, opened by Apehl’s president, Cheché Real, who highlighted the role of hospitality as “a vibrant, dynamic sector that is essential to the economy and the image of the province.”
During his speech, he also emphasized the strong position of Lugo as a tourist destination and pointed to future opportunities such as the total solar eclipse on August 12, which will place the province—and especially A Mariña—among the best locations in the world for observation. In this regard, he stressed the need for the sector to be prepared to offer “quality, service, and the best possible image of our land.”
Real underscored training as one of the strategic pillars of the hospitality sector, advocating for professionalization, adaptation to new technologies, and responsiveness to evolving visitor demands. He also highlighted the Association’s work in promoting the province, through initiatives such as participation in the Vuelta Ciclista a España and the publication of the provincial tourism guide “…E para comer, Lugo.”
The president of Apehl also referred to the Association’s upcoming 50th anniversary in 2027, marking half a century of work in defense of the sector, promotion of the territory, and support for industry collaboration.
Subsequently, speeches were delivered by the president of the Galicia Tourism Cluster, Cesáreo González; the director of the Galician Tourism Agency, Xosé Merelles; the president of the Provincial Council of Lugo, Carmela López; the Regional Minister for Rural Affairs, María José Gómez; and the mayor of Ribadeo, Daniel Vega, all of whom highlighted the importance of the hospitality sector as an economic, social, and tourism driver.
The gala is a well-established event in Apehl’s annual calendar, held each year in a different location across the province. On this occasion, it took place in the town of Ribadeo, reaffirming the Association’s commitment to promoting the entire territory of Lugo.