Valencia hosted this week the 5th National Nightlife Congress and the 10th edition of the International Nightlife Congress, two events that place the city at the center of the global nightlife industry. Held at the SH Valencia Palace hotel, both meetings focused on the economic impact of the sector, its role in tourism, innovation in safety and the advancement of female leadership.
The opening was presided over by José Manuel Camarero, regional secretary of Tourism, who stressed that today’s traveler seeks to “feel the destinations” and live experiences. Camarero recalled that 4.7 million international tourists enjoyed nightlife in the Valencian Community last year, highlighting its contribution to the Mediterranean lifestyle and tourism offer.
In the same vein, Tico Corrons, president of Valencia Nightlife, thanked the city for hosting the meeting again after the cancellation by DANA in 2024, claiming music as a culture and its role in the construction of Valencia Music City.
The president of the International Nightlife Association, Joaquim Boadas, highlighted the expansion of the organization, with a presence in 27 countries and plans to exceed 50 in the next two years. He highlighted the value of the Triple Excellence in Nightlife, a pioneering international certification system in safety, quality and sustainability.
For her part, Maricruz Cádiz, deputy director of Tourism Development at Visit Valencia, said that these congresses consolidate the image of Valencia as a benchmark in tourism innovation and citizen coexistence.
Economy and tourism
The day began with a round table dedicated to the economic weight of nightlife in global tourist destinations. The island’s director of Tourism of Ibiza, Juan Miguel Costa, pointed out that the island has “the best leisure in the world” and that the challenge is to show visitors other facets of the territory. He recalled that 87% of the island’s GDP comes from tourism and that nearly 30% of travelers choose Ibiza for its nightlife.
In the case of Valencia, Corrons stressed that nightlife represents 1.8% of the local GDP and proposed the figure of the “night mayor” as a mediator between administration, locals and neighbors.
From Australia, Victoria Moxey explained the case of Sydney, where government restrictions prior to 2020 caused losses of up to $16 million per year. She insisted that entertainment venues are “social and cultural infrastructure”. The analysis was completed with interventions that addressed the regulatory challenges in Barcelona and the need for public-private collaboration.
Branding, identity and experiences
The second round table focused on marketing and brand building in the nightlife industry. Representatives of clubs, festivals and music labels agreed on the need to innovate without losing the essence. They highlighted the rise of premium entertainment, the importance of offering transformative experiences and the value of authenticity, both for brands and emerging artists.
Women in nightlife
Women’s leadership took center stage at a round table focused on the talent and vision of women in the industry. Directors, cultural managers and heads of international brands underlined the importance of sensitivity, intuition and the creation of safe spaces.
They have focused on the need to make schedules more flexible, promote the diversity of venues and reinforce the commitment to safety both in clubs and in transportation.
Future challenges
The afternoon was dedicated to technology applied to the distribution of royalties, the mental and auditory health of professionals in the sector and models for a balanced coexistence. Experts in music recognition highlighted the advances that enable more accurate remuneration for authors and producers.
Psychologists, prevention specialists and audiologists have warned about the increase in mental health and hearing problems among workers and assistants.
The day concluded with a debate on security and coexistence, where police representatives, noise experts and security companies agreed that the future lies in training, technology, dialogue and updating regulations.
From Italy, Simone d’Antonio provided European examples of integrated urban policies that recognize nightlife as a social, cultural and economic driver.
