Alegria Narvaez honoured with Spain’s Order of Civil Merit

It was a night of jubilation and heartfelt recognition as Alegria Narvaez, Trade & Travel Manager for the Tourist Office of Spain in Toronto, received Spain’s highest honour for her decades of service. The Order of the Civil Merit, created nearly a century ago and closely tied to the Spanish Crown, was presented by His Excellency Alfredo Martínez Serrano, Ambassador of Spain to Canada, during the conclusion of the Spain Talks evening.

“The state needs to exert recognition and bear in mind those individuals who achieve one single goal—to exert individual responsibility in favour of the collective goal, and this is what Alegria has been doing for many years,” said Ambassador Martínez Serrano.

The decoration acknowledges those whose personal responsibility advances a collective goal. In the words of the Ambassador, Narvaez has embodied this principle for 34 years, dedicating her career to promoting Spain, strengthening industry ties, and inspiring colleagues across Canada and abroad.

Narvaez’s tenure has been nothing short of extraordinary. She has worked under five Consul Generals, represented Spain at hundreds of travel trade shows, and travelled extensively across Canada and Europe on behalf of the Tourist Office.

She has organized countless special events, engaged the public daily with warmth and grace, and navigated challenges with poise. Through it all, she has built enduring friendships and shown every colleague and partner that they are valued.

The evening ended with a wave of affection and respect as industry friends and guests lined up for photos with the newly decorated honouree. The spontaneous celebrations reflected the deep admiration Narvaez has earned over her career.

In the travel industry, true ambassadors are rare. Alegria Narvaez has proven herself one of the finest—radiating beauty from within, elevating Spain’s presence abroad, and leaving an indelible mark on all who have worked alongside her. To call her a consummate travel professional is only the beginning.