Carrió seeks more funding from regional government for D*na Festival

The mayor of Dénia, Rafa Carrió, used the opening of the ninth edition of the D*na Festival Gastronòmic, on 26 September, to demand greater investment in the event from the Valencian regional government. Before the councillor for Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Marián Cano, Carrió called for "a return to the level of collaboration from the beginning" and highlighted the social return of the festival for Marina Alta.

The regional government's position

In her speech, the councillor emphasised the regional government's commitment to the festival for its ability to project Mediterranean identity, gastronomic culture and Valencian territory. Cano described it as "a great showcase for Valencian gastronomy" and noted that it helps to diversify tourism activity and generates opportunities for the local economy.

Regional funding on the decline

The regional government finances the D*na through agreements between Turisme Comunitat Valenciana and the Dénia Foundation City of Gastronomic Creativity. According to official regional government information, the 2023 agreement provided for 250,000 euros and the 2025 agreement for 200,000. For 2026, the figure published by several media outlets is 180,000 euros.

According to Valencia Extra, the festival's institutional funding totals 345,000 euros this year: in addition to the regional contribution, Dénia Town Council allocates 150,000 euros and the Costa Blanca Provincial Tourism Board, 15,000. The agreement with the regional government covers not only the festival, but the plan to promote Dénia's gastronomy throughout the year.

Cost per visitor and lack of impact data

According to official estimates cited by Denia.com, approximately 22,000 people visit the festival grounds in each edition. Using that reference, this year's public money would equate to around 16 euros per visitor, of which about 8 would come from the regional government. This is an estimate: the organisers spoke of completely full capacity at this edition, but have not released a figure for attendance. There are also no public records of hotel occupancy or hospitality revenue during the festival days.

Previous criticism

The reduction in the regional contribution had already been the subject of criticism before the festival. In an opinion article published in early September on Dénia FM, the former mayor and tourism councillor of Dénia for eleven years attributed the cut to the regional PP government.

The festival

The D*na is organised by the Dénia Foundation City of Gastronomic Creativity, chaired by the mayor and comprising the Town Council, the Marina Alta Business Circle (CEDMA), the Marina Alta Hospitality and Tourism Association (AEHTMA) and Baleària. This year's edition took place on 26 and 27 September on the Marineta Cassiana promenade, with free entry and spread over more than 800 metres facing the sea. Under the creative direction of chef Quique Dacosta, it was dedicated to the transmission of gastronomic knowledge and featured chefs such as Ferran Adrià, Paco Roncero and Susi Díaz in its programme.