The eighth intervention of the 'Málaga Loves' campaign is now on display in Galveston. The work, by Málaga artist Lalone, measures 9 metres high by 33 long and reinforces the significance of American tourism in the city.
The city of Málaga has unveiled in Galveston (Texas, United States) the mural 'Málaga Loves Galveston', the eighth artistic intervention of the international promotional campaign driven by the City Council of Málaga and Turismo Costa del Sol, from the Provincial Council. The piece, as reported by Diario Sur, is located in a park adjacent to the McGuire-Dent Recreation Center, in Menard Park, and is signed by the Málaga artist Lalone.
The mural measures 9 metres in height and 33 metres in length and features the Spanish military figure Bernardo de Gálvez at the centre of the composition, serving as a link between the two shores. Beside him is the emblem of the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States (1776-2026). On the sides, references to Málaga's heritage are integrated, such as the Alcazaba, the Roman Theatre, and the Catedral, alongside urban and maritime icons of Galveston.
At the official presentation, held at the McGuire-Dent Recreation Center, the Councillor for Tourism, Jacobo Florido, was joined by the Mayor of Galveston, John Paul Listowski, as well as representatives from both cities and media.
Menard Park is located in a highly frequented area of a city that receives 8.9 million visitors a year. The work is just a few metres from two significant tourist spots: the Port of Galveston, the fourth cruise homeport in the United States and the eighth in the world, with nearly four million annual passengers, and the Historic Pleasure Pier.
After the inauguration, the institutional agenda continues in Houston with a professional presentation of the destination to travel agents from the Virtuoso network, specialising in premium tourism, and to representatives of Texan cultural institutions.
The actions are part of the 'De Gálvez 250' initiative, conceived for the 250th anniversary of American independence to strengthen historical, cultural, and tourism ties. The campaign includes actions in 16 American cities, including Miami, Dallas, Washington, Pensacola, Philadelphia, Boston, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, New Orleans, Atlanta, and Chicago. Collaborating on the project are The Hispanic Council, the City Council of Málaga, the Provincial Council, the Junta de Andalucía, Turismo Costa del Sol, Turismo Andaluz, and Turespaña.
The brand 'Málaga Loves' was born in 2023 on the occasion of the Picasso Celebration 1973-2023 in Munich and has become an international promotional tool in Europe, Asia, and the United States. It is already present in Basel, Shanghai, Seoul (with two works), Coral Gables, and Atlanta, where a mural over 35 metres long was recently presented next to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The intensification of these actions responds to the growing significance of American tourism in Málaga. In 2025, the United States solidified its position as the leading non-EU market and the fourth globally for the city, with 89,823 hotel travellers (+11%) and 186,488 overnight stays (+4%). The trend continues in 2026: between January and July, Málaga recorded 50,085 American travellers and 111,584 overnight stays. In July, the United States was again the second international market for the city, just behind the United Kingdom, with 8,995 travellers (+11.41%) and 21,038 overnight stays (+27.67%), and an average stay of 2.34 days.
You may also like
