Organized by the International Ham Institute (Interham) with the support of the Granada City Council, this congress will transform the Andalusian capital into a key meeting point to analyze the challenges and opportunities of a strategic industry. The program will blend science, innovation, industrial aspects, and the rich tradition of the sector.
The event has already attracted considerable participation, with over 200 registered attendees, underscoring its impact on Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism. Such events generate significant direct economic activity in sectors like accommodation, catering, commerce, and services within the city.
“"Hosting the World Ham Congress is an opportunity to continue positioning Granada as a venue for major international events and as a destination capable of attracting quality tourism, linked to knowledge, gastronomy, and innovation."
Marifrán Carazo, the mayor of Granada, emphasized the congress's importance in solidifying the city's image as a quality destination, particularly in MICE tourism, which she considers “key” for a more sustainable and less seasonal tourism model. Carazo added that Granada possesses “all the necessary elements” to host top-tier events, from infrastructure to a unique cultural, heritage, and gastronomic offering.
Meanwhile, Julio Tapiador, president of the XIII World Ham Congress, highlighted that the event comes at a crucial time to strengthen the sector's competitiveness, maintaining values such as quality, sustainability, and traceability, and driving innovation throughout the value chain. Granada's selection as the host city is justified by the agro-food sector's weight in the province and its deep-rooted tradition in cured ham production, especially in areas like the Alpujarra, with products protected by designations such as IGP Jamón de Trevélez and the Jamón de la Alpujarra Guarantee Mark.
Granada's meat industry is a provincial economic driver, with an annual production exceeding 160 million euros in processed meat products. The congress will address crucial topics such as the application of neuroscience to consumption, the nutritional benefits of Iberian ham, health and food challenges, and technological innovations like predictive models and smart drying. The final day will focus on ham communication and internationalization, including debates on foreign markets and sectoral marketing.
