In today's society there are an increasing number of diet-related diseases. Coeliac Disease consists of a permanent intolerance to gluten, which affects 1% of the population. This means that there are 400,000 coeliacs in Spain and more than 2.5 million in Europe.

It was therefore important for the hotel and restaurant sector to act together to make this an exemplary Region in terms of catering for the dietary requirements of coeliacs.

To this end CONHOSTUR, with the collaboration of the Regional Department of Tourism and the backing of the Valencia Region Coeliacs' Association (ACECOVA) and the Spanish Coeliacs' Federation (FACE), has undertaken a major project to meet the needs of the coeliacs and their companions who visit this Region, making it easier for them to find gluten-free menus in our restaurants.

The restaurants involved in the project have set up the Coeliac-friendly Restaurant Club, thanks to which participating restaurants will have a sign up at their entrance identifying them as members of the Club. A Guide of the establishments belonging to the Coeliac-friendly Restaurant Club has also been created, as well as a website (www.mediterraneanfreegluten.com), with the aim of raising European awareness of this initiative and the network of participating establishments.

Thanks to this project the Valencia Region has become a privileged destination due to its special ability to cater for coeliacs. This really is an extraordinary opportunity for us to make our Region a reference point in national and international tourism for the millions of people who suffer directly or indirectly from this disease and are waiting expectantly such an initiative to help them travel and lead a normal life.