Salou Town Council has paid tribute to Joan Maria Bartolí Julibert and his family for their role in the early development of tourism in the town. The ceremony took place on 22 May 2026 at Parc de la Ciutat, in Salou, and recognised the family’s work behind Càmping Salou, one of the first campsites in Catalonia and Spain.
The event brought together family members, friends, councillors and municipal representatives. The atmosphere was marked by emotion, gratitude and shared memory, as the town acknowledged a legacy closely tied to its tourism history.
Mayor Pere Granados said Salou is proud of its people and praised families such as the Bartolís for seeing the town’s tourism potential early on. He said the tribute was a way to recognise work well done and described the family’s commitment as accurate, brave and visionary. He also said tourism is not only an economic activity, but a way to welcome people and create positive experiences. For more on local coverage, see news from Catalonia.
Càmping Salou was started in 1956 by Pau Bartolí Bella and Carme Julibert Ortega. The site stood in a natural setting of pine trees near the sea, in the area now occupied by Parc de la Ciutat. It began with modest facilities, then grew into a reference point in the tourism sector, with services that included a supermarket, restaurant, sanitary facilities, a swimming pool, bungalows, medical consultation, a hairdresser, and separate areas for caravans and tents.
The campsite covered about six hectares and could host nearly 2,000 people. It attracted mainly international visitors, especially from France, Switzerland, Holland and Germany. Pau Bartolí handled the technical and structural side of the project, while Carme Julibert managed the campsite and gave it a welcoming and open character.
Journalist Júlia López Madrazo also spoke during the ceremony, sharing anecdotes about Càmping Salou and underlining tourism’s role in the town’s growth. Joan Maria Bartolí Julibert thanked the council for the recognition and recalled the early days of the area, when the current Parc de la Ciutat was still pine trees and sandy ground. He said the campsite was one of the first entry points for many visitors to Salou. The family’s tribute is now marked by a plaque in Parc de la Ciutat. For official municipal information, visit the Salou Town Council website and the municipal news section.
