Origins and first steps (1975-1977)
The Association of Hotel and Catering Businessmen of Torrevieja and Region has its origins in 1975, when it was born under the name of Guild of Cafés and Barsat a time when associationism was still banned in Spain.
The first president was Mr José Cánovas Covesknown as Pepito the Coves. On 23rd March 1976, coinciding with the feast of Santa Marta, patron saint of the hotel industry, the first Brotherhood Dinner was held in the Cabo Roig Restaurant, with the attendance of local authorities headed by the then Mayor of Torrevieja, Mr. Francisco Díez.
On 21 July 1977, the first statutes were officially registered with the Ministry of Trade Union Relations, at the Statutes Deposit Office in Alicante, and were constituted as Local Association of Restaurants, Bars, Cafeterias and Related Industries Businessmen of Torrevieja.
Its founding objective was clear: uniting, training, defending and professionalising the hotel and catering sector.
It was the second association of its kind in the Valencian Community -preceded only by Benidorm- and one of the first at national level dedicated exclusively to catering.
Consolidation and statutory developments
Over time, the Board of Directors understood the need to adapt to the new realities of the sector.
In 2003, the modification of the statutes was unanimously approved by the Ordinary Assembly held on 29 February, and ratified on 14 April of the same year by the competent body. Since then, the organisation has adopted its current name:
Association of Hotel and Catering Businesses of Torrevieja and the surrounding areareflecting a broader territorial vision in line with the economic and tourist development of the area.
Partnership as a fundamental pillar
Since its inception, the Association has promoted a sense of belonging and collaboration, promoting initiatives that generate real benefits for its members.
It is mainly made up of restaurants, bars and cafés, as well as accommodation establishments. Although the number of members has gone through different stages, the quality and commitment of its members has always prevailed.
Its lines of action include the following:
- Support for obtaining quality certificates.
- Professionalisation of the sector.
- Personalised advice.
- Common defence before tourism administrations and organisations.
Competitiveness was transformed into collective self-improvement, encouraging mutual help among professionals.
The Brotherhood Dinner and Awards
The Brotherhood Dinner became one of the great social and professional milestones of the collective.
In this context, the Gold ForksThis distinction is awarded by the guild itself to an emblematic establishment for its history and professionalism.
Subsequently, the awards were extended to also recognise people and entities that have worked for Torrevieja and its tourist projection. Among those honoured were Roch Gregori, Federico Trillo and Matías Pérez Such.
Other awards:
- Silver Shakerfor pubs, cafés, discotheques and nightclubs.
- Special Mentions for personal dedication.
- Recognition of collaborating companies.
- Tribute to veteran professionals on their retirement.
- New categories such as Honorary Member, Innovative Company and Hospitality.
Gastronomic Days "Torrevieja and the Sea".
In 1994, in the historic Hotel Masa, under the name of Menjar de la Terrathe germ of today's Torrevieja and the Sea Gastronomic Days.
In June 1995, the first Jornadas were officially held. The success of the event meant that it had to be moved from the Hotel Masa to the Salones Bahía Costa, where for four days around 250 diners gathered for each edition.
Between 2003 and 2005 they ceased to be held. In 2006, with the new Board of Directors chaired by Tomás A. Arenas Mercader, they were resumed, once again becoming a provincial benchmark.
Evolution of the format:
- From 4 to 7 and then 10 days duration.
- Celebration at each participating restaurant.
- Lunch and dinner service.
- Participation of regional and national guest restaurants.
- They are currently held on Fridays in June, reinforcing visibility and gastronomic quality.
Achievements and outstanding performances
Throughout its history, the Association has achieved:
- 80 % reduction in noise complaints thanks to the sound limiter connected to the Local Police (a pioneering initiative in Spain).
- Participation in the regulation of street furniture.
- Greater accessibility to official documentation before administrations.
- Transfer of premises shared with the Association of Small and Medium-Sized Traders for the provisional installation of the Torrevieja CdT.
- Free courses in collaboration with COEPA and the CdT.
- Coordination of the Food Handler's Certificate.
- Participation in the Tourism Excellence Plan.
- Collaboration in events such as GASTROCOMER and the Ruta de la Tapa.
Activities promoted
The Association has promoted numerous gastronomic dynamisation actions:
- GinTonic & Cocktail Tour
- Tapas Thursday Mahou
- Rice dishes from Torrevieja
- Spoon Week
- La Cazuelica and Wine
- Cocktail Weekend
- Outlet Menus
- Flavours of Torrevieja
- Cake and Coffee
- A Todo Tren
- Lenten menus
- Croqueting in Torrevieja
- Nos Vamos de Tapas
- International Tapas Day
- GASTROVEGABAJA
With competitions such as Croquetas al Gusto, Tapa Makro and Nos Vamos de Tapas.
Furthermore, participation in trade fairs such as FITUR has helped to position Torrevieja as a gastronomic destination of reference.
Historical list of Boards of Directors (1975-2026)
1975-1977
President: José Cánovas Coves - Pepico Bar El Coves
José A. Chazarra García - Restaurante El Tiburón (El Pollo)
Francisco Reina - Hostal Reina
Tomás Arenas Bueno - Mesón Las Jarras
Antonio Martínez - Miramar Restaurant
José Andréu Pérez - Hotel Madrid (El Faraute)
Fernando Sala Alarcón - Catalina II Restaurant
Among others.
1977-1992
President: José Antonio Chazarra García - El Tiburón Restaurant
José Andréu Pérez - Hotel Madrid
Fernando (El Chache)
Tomás Arenas Bueno - Mesón Las Jarras
Fernando Sala Alarcón - Catalina II Restaurant
José Luis Vera - Vegalia
Among others.
1992-1999
President: Tomás Arenas Bueno - Mesón Las Jarras
Secretary: Antonio Pérez Marcos
Treasurer: Joaquín Guillamó Aniorte - Hostal Belén
Members: José A. Chazarra García, Fernando Sala Alarcón, Santiago Pina Caselles, Jaime Lucas Alonso, Juan Carlos Vime Pernía, Trinidad Pérez.
16/03/1999–29/11/2001
President: Pedro Ferrer Cascales - Restaurant El Galeón
Vice-president: José A. Vilella Fructuoso - Restaurante Bahía
Secretary: Reyes Martínez Ñíguez - Restaurante Miramar
Treasurer: Joaquín Guillamó Aniorte - Hostal Belén
Members: Francisco Aniorte Juárez, Carlos Beduino Fariña, Jaime Lucas Alonso, Santiago Pina Caselles.
29/11/2001–04/04/2006
Chairman: José A. Chazarra García
Vice-president: Ciriaco Martín Baz
Secretary: Reyes Martínez Ñíguez
Treasurer: Francisco Aniorte Juárez
Members: Joaquín Sala Buades, Carlos Beduino Fariña, Jaime Lucas Alonso, Santiago Pina Caselles, José Andréu Pérez, Simón Ballester Herrera.
04/04/2006–14/04/2010
President: Tomás A. Arenas Mercader
Vice-president: Ricardo Cases Andréu
Secretary: José Javier García Legaz
Treasurer: Diosdado Corpa and Óscar Prades Andreu
Members: Juan Carlos Vime Pernía, Carlos Lozano Álvarez, Félix Martín López, Ramón Antón Pérez, Sonia Vilella Carbonell, Manuel Jiménez Fernández, Cayetano Pérez Ferrándiz, Jorge Martínez Ñíguez.
14/04/2010–15/09/2010
President: Tomás A. Arenas Mercader
Vice-Chairmen: Ricardo Cases Andréu, Manuel Jiménez Fernández, Antonio Montero Domínguez
Secretary: José Javier García Legaz
Treasurer: Javier Martí Pérez and Óscar Prades Andreu
Members: Juan Carlos Vime Pernía, Carlos Lozano Álvarez, Félix Martín López, Juan Manuel Medina Sáez, Antonio Torres Torregrosa, Ramón Antón Pérez, Cayetano Pérez Ferrándiz.
15/09/2010–29/06/2011
President: Antonio Montero Domínguez
Vice-president: Manuel Jiménez Fernández
Secretary: José Javier García Legaz
Treasurer: Javier Martí Pérez and Óscar Prades Andreu
Members: Juan Carlos Vime Pernía, Carlos Lozano Álvarez, Juan Manuel Medina Sáez, Antonio Torres Torregrosa, Cayetano Pérez Ferrándiz, Juan José Fernández Rodríguez.
29/06/2011–06/05/2014
Chairman: José A. Lozano Álvarez
Vice-presidents: Luis Miguel Blanco Castañón, Francisco J. Mateo Murcia
Secretary: Ángel L. García Chazarra
Treasurers: Luis Miguel Rodríguez Rubio, Gorka Jon Bernabé Ubieta
Member: Francisco García Yáñez.
06/05/2014–11/01/2016
Chairman: José A. Lozano Álvarez
Vice-presidents: Luis Miguel Blanco Castañón, Francisco J. Mateo Murcia
Secretary: Ángel L. García Chazarra
Treasurer: Luis Miguel Rodríguez Rubio
Member: Francisco García Yáñez.
11/01/2016–15/01/2019
Chairman: Joaquín Guillamó Alarcón
Vice-president: Manuel Jiménez Fernández
Secretary: Juan Carlos Vime Pernía
Treasurer: Marco Martinetti
Members: Fernando Sala Alarcón, Juan Francisco Marroquí Ramírez, Daniela Schinello.
15/01/2019–17/01/2022
Chairman: Joaquín Guillamó Alarcón
Vice-Presidents: Manuel Jiménez Fernández, Jorge La Laguna Marín
Secretary: José Ignacio Pastor Pérez
Treasurer: Marco Martinetti
Members: Raquel Ferrer Pujante, Juan Francisco Marroquí Ramírez.
17/01/2022–13/01/2025
Chairman: José Ignacio Pastor Pérez
Vice-President: Jorge La Laguna Marín
Secretary: Joaquín Guillamó Alarcón
Treasurer: Marco Martinetti
Members: Raquel Ferrer Pujante, Juan Francisco Marroquí Ramírez, David Jiménez Hurtado.
13/01/2025-2026
Chairman: José Ignacio Pastor Pérez
Vice-President: José Luis Martínez Alarcón
Secretary: Sofía Madrid Quesada
Treasurer: Marco Martinetti
Members: Rodrigo Marroquí Cases, Francisco Bernabé Antón.


