ACOGAT was born in 2016 with the need to boost LGTBIQ+ tourism in Torremolinos, which had declined and had been overtaken by other gay friendly destinations, both in visits and overnight stays. The restless and courageous entrepreneurs of that time, who were also faced with the economic crisis that Spain was suffering, began to organise themselves until finally in that same year they constituted themselves as an Association. The restless and courageous entrepreneurs of that time, who were also faced with the economic crisis that Spain was suffering, began to organise themselves until finally in that same year they constituted themselves as an Association.
Bringing LGTBIQ+ entrepreneurship together
in Torremolinos
The main objective of ACOGAT was to unite the LGTBIQ+ business network, which did not have a meeting and support point for the growth of their businesses.
Torremolinos, which since the 60’s has been a municipality recognised outside our borders as the cradle of freedom and respect for LGTBIQ+ rights, with a very marked DNA for national and international tourists who have never left Torremolinos despite the difficult economic times.
These entrepreneurs projected with their businesses a new destination that has not stopped renewing itself over the years, aiming at quality service, taking care of the tourist and integrating the LGTBIQ+ collective with the rest of the citizens of the municipality. Thanks to this enormous effort, it began to be an interesting city to invest in, attractive to continue increasing the offer that has been completed over the years until it has become a leading destination, once again known throughout the world, with a projection of global expansion that it grows every day.
Challenges achieved
Torremolinos Pride
ACOGAT plays a very important role in organizing and holding events for the LGTBIQ+ community in Torremolinos. The first challenges that were marked in the association was to create the 1st. “PRIDE TORREMOLINOS”, together with other associations and the City Council. This manifestation of rights that we work hand in hand with the City Council of Torremolinos and other associations and groups is known internationally. Within the PRIDE circuits, it is one of the most important, and the most important for Andalusia, where hotel reservations run out months before the celebration. Police and Security forces are focused on this pride, to give the maximum guarantees that the march and all the events during those days will be carried out with maximum security.Gala Drag Queen
Another achievement was creating the 1st Drag Queen Gala of the Torremolinos Carnival, and in 2022 we will celebrate the 5th Edition. Since all the information for the registration of the participants is published, there are many registrations received from which we make a selection to keep a maximum of 16 candidates. The Drag Queen Gala of the Torremolinos Carnival is a festival of light and color, fantasy and choreography united by great dancers who come from the dance schools of Torremolinos and the surrounding towns. Performing in this event gives cache to these schools, being a showcase to exhibit what they are capable of doing.FITUR
From our beginnings until now we have been present at Fitur (International fair of tourism). Over the years we have been gaining space at the Fair until we have achieved our FITUR LGTBI space among all the associations at national level and those coming from abroad. In the 2021 edition, we already attended a large group of businessmen from Torremolinos belonging to this association to present our 2021 Pride, which was a success from the presentation until it was carried out, taking into account the health regulations that we had at that time for the pandemic.At Fitur 2022 we have had at our disposal the Costa del Sol Stand within the province of Malaga located in Hall 3 of Ifema where we present our calendar of activities for this year accompanied by the Torremolinos City Council and the Tourism Delegation of the Junta de Andalucía .
From the city council of Torremolinos itself as well as its entities and companies in the municipality we are aware of the great economic injection that LGTBI tourism produces in our city and this differentiates us from the rest of the tourist municipalities of the Costa del Sol, making Torremolinos the tourist destination European sun and beach LGTBI. Not only do we not stop there, being the first destination, but we manage to attract both Spanish tourists, due to our good geographical location, and foreigners thanks to the international airport where thousands of European tourists visit us every weekend throughout the year.
