CANARY ISLANDS Sustainability Is Responsibility

CANARY ISLANDS Sustainability is Responsibility

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www.elitereports.net WHY TOURISM MATTERS

Tourism’s growth nternational tourist arrivals grew by a in the Northern Hemisphere (July-September). across all regions further 4% between January and Septem- UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikash- strengthen the ber of 2019, the latest issue of the UNW- vili said last December: “As world leaders sector’s potential ITO World Tourism Barometer indicates. meet at the UN Climate Summit in Madrid to to contribute Tourism’s growth continues to outpace global find concrete solutions to the climate emer- to a sustainable economic growth, bearing witness to its huge gency, the release of the latest World Tour- development potential to deliver development opportuni- ism Barometer shows the growing power of agenda ties across the world but also its sustainability tourism, a sector with the potential to drive challenges. the sustainability agenda forward. As tourist How do you assess the challenges the helping the Canary Islands’ tourism to thrive. Destinations worldwide received 1.1 billion numbers continue to rise, the opportunities Canary Islands’ government and private Diversification is also key. Increasingly, tourists international tourist arrivals in the first nine tourism can bring also rise, as do our sector’s sector will have to face in the near future? are looking for more authentic and unique months of 2019 (up 43 million compared to responsibilities to people and planet.” What key factors should they take into ZURAB experiences. Offering diverse experiences the same period of 2018), in line with its fore- consideration for a successful comeback such as gastronomy tourism or sports tourism cast of 3-4% growth for this year. Tourism now world’s third largest export POLOLIKASHVILI strategy? can not only help attract tourists, it can The global economic slowdown, rising trade, category Secretary-General As a sector, tourism has consistently proven also spread further the economic and social geopolitical tensions and prolonged uncer- Generating US$1.7 trillion in revenues as United Nations World its resilience and ability to bounce back benefits that tourism can bring much wider. As tainty around Brexit weighed on international of 2018, international tourism remains the Tourism Organization from adversity, including financial concerns, UNWTO celebrates our Year of Tourism and tourism, which experienced a more moderate third largest export category behind fuels (UNWTO) political instability and natural disasters. Rural Development throughout 2020, we are pace of growth during the summer peak season (US$ 2.4 trillion) and chemicals (US$ 2.2 Indeed, at such times of uncertainty, tourism keen to see destinations do more to ensure trillion). Within advanced economies, tour- is a constant, and will continue to be so tourism creates jobs and opportunities in rural ism’s remarkable performance after years of in the case of the Canary Islands. As with communities, and, as the islands work to build sustained growth has narrowed the gap with destinations around the world, private and tourism back up, we are confident this will automotive product exports. public sector collaboration will be key to happen on the Canaries. International tourism accounts for 29% of the world’s services exports and 7% of overall exports. In some regions these proportions ex- ceed the world average, especially the Middle East and Africa where tourism represents over 50% of services exports and about 9% of exports overall. This highlights the importance of main- streaming tourism in national export policies to broaden revenue streams, reduce trade deficits and ensure sustainable development on the long run. The world’s top ten earners saw mixed results in international tourism receipts through Sep- tember 2019, with Australia (+9%), Japan (+8%) and Italy (+7%) posting the highest growth, while China, the United Kingdom and the United States recorded declines. Mediter- ranean destinations were among the strong- est performers in terms of earnings, both in Europe and the Middle East and North Africa region. INTRO

staging point for traders on their way to and of what he calls “the three Ss – social, solidary SETTING THE PACE from three continents. They have also always and sustainable.” been one of Europe’s most popular destinations Torres has put the tourism sector at the center for a vacation, especially in the winter months. of his strategy for sustainable development. IN SUSTAINABILITY Now the Canary Islands are looking to build on Contributing 35% of the archipelago’s GDP their position at the crossroads of the Western and 40% of employment, tourism is by far the hemisphere to become leaders in sustainable Canary Islands’ largest industry and a recog- The leadership of ocated in the mid-Atlantic Ocean off development. nized global leader. A more sustainable tour- the Canary Islands the west coast of Africa but an integral “With our strategic location between three con- ism sector in the Canary Islands would set a has put sustainability part of the Kingdom of Spain for more tinents and the renewable energy potential of powerful example for other countries to fol- at the heart of its L than 500 years, the Canary Islands our sun, winds and seas, we have all the condi- low, helping to reduce the environmental im- strategy for tourism have long prospered from their unique geo- tions to become leaders in sustainable tourism pact and carbon footprint of this fast-growing & socioeconomic graphical position. and in the fight against climate change,” the re- and increasingly controversial industry. development Along with a subtropical climate, clear skies gion’s new president Ángel Victor Torres said at “I want the Canary Islands to be a true world and stunning landscapes, the archipelago ben- the end of last year. leader and an example of sustainability and efits from the political stability and the open, On assuming office, he immediately prioritized the fight against climate change,” says Yaiza democratic culture of a European country. Over the implementation of the UN’s Agenda 2030 Castilla, the islands’ councilor for tourism, in- the centuries the islands have become a natural for Sustainable Development and the pursuit dustry and trade. “The tourism sector in the INTRO renewable and sustainable energy.” At the same time, the islands are investing in the development of green mobility, supporting the spread of electric taxis across the islands and buying electric, hybrid and even hydrogen cars for use by the public sector. Later this year, Torres’ government will approve the Canary Islands’ first ever law against climate change, which will estimate the carbon footprint of each island and map out the measures to be taken to fight against climate change. Also this year, Torres is confident of achieving a dramatic early victory in his campaign to position the Canary Islands as a global leader in sustainability. One example of its advances in sustainability Islands, it would convert the archipelago into one of Spain’s undisputed centers and technology is the international consorti- of cutting-edge science and research. That in turn would make the archipelago um behind a giant €1.2 billion Thirty Meter the natural location for Spain’s proposed national climate change laboratory, po- Telescope (TMT) project that has signaled it sitioning the Canary Islands on the cutting edge not only of sustainable tourism Canary Islands is already a pioneer in using recycled materials and in reducing to create a fairer and more equitable economy. may switch the location of the facility from Ha- but also of climate science in general. water consumption.” “We want to diversify our offer and attract waii to the Canarian island of La Palma, whose “Our islands are true laboratories,” Torres said in his end-of-year address. “For With the implementation of a more sustainable model of tourism, the islands will tourists who will spend more money in the clear skies have made it home to more than a centuries we Canarians have relied on our own resources and our inventiveness. appeal to more sophisticated visitors, with greater interests than just swimming archipelago, because doing so generates more dozen world-leading telescopes. Now is the time to confront the certainty of climate change…and turn these is- and sunbathing. wealth, employment and social welfare,” Cas- If the TMT project does transfer to the Canary lands into a fairer, more modern and more sustainable territory.” By tightening environmental standards across the region and developing high-val- tilla says. ue segments such as cultural tourism and gastronomic tourism, the government In response to rising concerns about the car- aims to attract higher-spending tourists than those visitors who arrive on all-in- bon footprint of flying, the islands will give clusive beach packages. These new travelers will spend their money more widely visitors the option of offsetting their emissions in the islands, helping to share the benefits of tourism with the population and by contributing to green projects in the archipelago, such as reforestation and renewable energy plants. “We have to show tourists what we are doing to fight climate change, even before they come here,” Castilla explains. Torres believes that the Canary Islands have www.bestingrancanaria.com the potential to become a model for sustainability not only in tourism but also in renewable energy. Already one of the eight major islands – El Hierro – can rely on renewable electricity for 100% of its power requirements. Neighbor- ing island La Gomera is also making significant progress towards zero-carbon electricity, thanks to investment in wind farms and solar power. Torres’ ambition is for all the Canary Is- lands to use 100% renewable energy by 2050. “We have excellent natural, reusable resources here,” says Carolina Darias, the islands’ former councilor for economy, knowledge and employment and current Spanish Minister of Ter- ritorial Policy & Civil Service. “There are a lot of companies that are interested in this sector since our natural environment is conducive to 4% 80% +2.1 million RATE CORPORATE TAX ECONOMY SERVICE-BASED OFISLANDS THE TOTAL POPULATION Economy, Knowledge Former Councilor for facts Territorial Policy & Employment CAROLINA Canary Islands & CivilService Minister of DARIAS Spain What dotheCanaryIslandsofferworld? within the2030Agendagoals. resources arelimited.Thisconceptfitswell have touseourresourceswisely, becauseour and thecurrentinequalityofworkers.We without thinkingaboutourlimitedresources economically inthesamewaywedidbefore, However, wecannotcontinuetogrow the ruraleconomy. role inoureconomysoit’spertinenttorevive sector, butagriculturealsohasanimportant The tourismindustryisthemostrelevant most Europeancountriesitisabout20%lower. on theserviceindustry, reaching80%,whilein The CanaryIslands’economyislargelybased and priority. equitable andfaireconomicgrowthisitsgoal strengthen theeconomyrightawayandan July 2019,startedworkingonastrategyto Canary Islands,inofficesince The currentgovernmentofthe current priorities? What arethe government’s advantage. near Africa gives ourislandsanimportant from thecontinent,ourgeographical position Union andalthoughwearequite remote Also, wearepartofSpainandthe European a qualityoflifeequaltothatin Europe. our infrastructure.SotheCanary Islandsoffer environment andarededicatedtoimproving in theEU,wearecommittedtoasafe system isveryrespectedandappreciated The islandsareverysafe,ourhealthcare

AIMING TO BE A MODEL

FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH The Canariesare leadersinastrophysicsand Canarias. Islands, andtheAstrophysicsInstitute of PLOCAN -theOceanPlatformofCanary Canarias, theFoundation ofHealthResearch, of Technology, InvestigationInstitute of R&D centers,there’salsothePublic Institute here. Thelocaladministrationhasimportant especially workingwiththeuniversities investigation, researchandinnovation, private andpubliccentersdedicatedto workforce andanimportantnetworkof We haveahighlyqualified investigative must comefromtheknowledgewehave. Our economicgrowthanddiversification to diversifytheeconomy. important demonstrated thatnowmorethanever it’s The recentbankruptcyof Thomas Cook place forbusiness. to maketheCanariesanevenmoreattractive special conditions,beingaremoteEUregion, was recentlyupdated(December2018)with allows ustohaveafreeport.AndourREF economic andfiscalregimen(REF)which to manybusinesses.We alsohaveaspecial tax rateis4%,somethingveryattractive any otherplaceinEurope.Ourcorporate You can’tfindalowertaxratethanoursin about taxrates? advantages fordoingbusinesshere.What You alreadymentionedsomeofthe work withGhanaandCotêd’Ivoire. Verde andSenegal.We arealsobeginningto potential -namelyMorocco,Mauritania,Cape on countriesclosetouswithagoodexport and ourpresent,sowearefocusingmostly the mostinnearfuture.Itisourfuture Africa isthecontinentthatgoingtogrow moment? atthe Who areyourpreferentialpartners Port ofLasPalmas. help Africa haveabasehere,manynearthe a lotofsolidarityprogramsandNGOsthat Islands hasforhelpingcontinentalAfrica and Program recognizesthepotentialCanary a hubforsolidarity. TheUNWorld Food But wearenotonlyabusinesshub,butalso business. Canaries andoffergoodconditionstoattract facilitate businessbetweenAfrica andthe with goodmaritimeandaerialconnections Our proximitytotheAfrican continent turbines, aswellhydroelectricityand We havemanysolar panelsandwind elements forsustainabledevelopment. diverse intheworld.Thesearekeynatural place inMacaronesiaandoneofthemost our biodiversityisdifferentfromanyother here. Ourclimatesarevaryingandexcellent, We haveexcellentnatural,reusableresources higher? renewable. Canthispercentage beeven 30% oftheelectricityinCanaryIslandsis other areas. as wegainandincreaseourknowledgein So wewillbeabletodiversifyoureconomy neurotechnology. biotechnology, biomedicine,neuroscienceand programs. We arealsoaworldreferencefor or haveinternshipsinourmarinesciences Many peoplecometostudytheirmasters marine science,especiallybiology. countries. one-of-a-kind andinfactmanyofourtelescopes havepartnershipswithother the bestcentersforastrophysics intheworld.TheskiesCanaryIslandsare Center ofExcellencewherewe have twoobservatories.Thismakesusoneof Excellence, theAstrophysicsInstitute ofCanarias,whichhastheSeveroOchoa Right now, wehave more than40centersofinvestigationandanInstitute businesses, butforpublicentities aswell. sure thattheyconnectandgrowtogetherforthegreatergood,not onlyfor Our roleistohelpwiththeknowledgeandexpertiseofthesegroups bymaking their contributions. goal. Thenetworkbetweenthesegroupsisstrongandveryimportant, aswell of expertise.Eachnucleushasadifferentlevelcollaborationand adistinct There arecurrently29nucleiofR&D&Iacrosstheislandsconne cted byanetwork How isinnovation changingthe Canary Islands? make sureourislandsarepreserved. solutions wepropose.We needtokeepourpromisetheCanarianpeople Sustainable DevelopmentGoals,focusingdirectlyonlocalproblemsandthe This governmenthasnowsetourowngoalsandtargets,basedontheUN17 to dohelptheEarthandourislands. private institutionswereabletocomeaconsensusonwhatwefeltneeded With politicalandsocialdialogue,allpartiesalongwithpublic before thisgovernmentcametopower. IwasPresidentoftheParliament then. A planforsustainabledevelopmenttheislandshasbeenputintoplaceeven Sustainability iskeyfor thenewgovernment. Canyoutell usmore about that? permit self-sufficiency insmallenvironments. 100% renewableenergy. Theideaistokeepmaximizingonthisinorder thermal energystorage.Thereisalreadyoneisland,ElHierro,thatrunson

Q&A +40% +35% 15.6 ISLANDSIN 2018 TOCANARY THE TOTAL VISITORS TO REGION’S GDP CONTRIBUTION TOURISM’S IN THE SECTORIN THE DIRECTLY EMPLOYED OF POPULATION CONSTANTLY INNOVATING TO BECOME A YAIZA CASTILLA Councilorfor Tourism

million

BETTER DESTINATION Industry & TradeIndustry facts Canary Islands HERRERA

Tourism isthesectorthatmakes thegreatest type ofwealththat ismaintainedovertime. disruptive changesthatcangenerate another outdated, soweneedanewflow ofideasand developed sofarmaybeslightly depletedand In thecaseoftourism,model thathasbeen another. commerce cancoincidetostrengthenone the aspectsinwhichtourism,industryand started myterm,Ihavebeenwantingtounite the imminenceofBrexit,andsoon.SinceI level, therecentbankruptcyofThomasCook, economic slowdownataninternational negative circumstancessuchasthegeneral positively, althoughwearecurrentlyfacing advancing andimproving.Mygoalistoevolve Fundamentally, ourpriorityistocontinue and trade? tourism, industry portfolios: three important What areyour current priorities asheadof Islands abroadimageisthankstothem. receive, andthegreatimageofCanary the archipelagostandsfor;alltouristswe are, infact,thegreatambassadorsofwhat to makethisdestinationgreat.Theseworkers business sectorandalltheworkerswhostrive greatest asset,andthehardworkofentire the tourists,ourresourceswhichare itself, theenvironmentwehavecreatedfor surroundings wehaveinthearchipelago I believethatitistheresultofnatural tourism awards? successful andoften awinner oftravel and Why istourism inthe CanaryIslandsso while they are here what are our proposed proposed our are what here are they while and coming before tourists the show to have Islands Canary the We in here airplanes. from footprint carbon the erase or mitigate that and change climate against fight that out actions carry to sectors public and private the both to We acommitment have tourists cannotenter, norourresidents. without airplanes.Ifwedonothaveairplanes, destinations. Unfortunately, wecannotdo more expensive,weloseouttoothertourist Islands enterandleavebyplane,ifitbecomes not befairtous.Tourists intheCanary but asanarchipelago,thismeasurewould We wanttofight against climatechangetoo, opportunity presentsitself. with otherGermanauthoritieswhenthe discuss itandhopefullywillagain German AmbassadorinSpainOctoberto or thatareductionbemade.Imetwiththe taxes beexemptedfromtheCanaryIslands require airtravel.Ihaverequestedthatthese considering travellingtoplacesthatdon’t would beharmfulforusaspeoplestart are connectedtotheworldbyairtravel,it to theCanaryIslandsorotherplacesthat if theyimposeitontheairlinesthattravel taxing airlines.We donotseethatbadly, but plans tofightagainstclimatechangeby There isaGermanlegislativeinitiativethat German market? the Canariesdependsonairarrivals andthe How doyouseethis issuewhentourism in aviation sector’s impact oncarbon emissions. exemption forkerosene inabidto reduce the climate changeisconsideringendingthe tax The Germangovernment inits fight against cutting pillar. the fightagainstclimatechangeasacross- infrastructures willhavesustainabilityand the tourismsectorinmodeling The policiesandinvestmentsrelatedto the worldsotheycanseehowuniqueweare. of these8jewelswiththeirsingularitiesbefore with itsidiosyncrasies.We havetoshoweach there are8absolutelydifferentislands,each brand oftheCanaryIslands,withinthat tourist offers.AlthoughtheCouncilisonly We wanttopromotethediversificationof tourism sector. Therefore, wehavetotakegoodcareofthe employment generatedinthearchipelago. than 35%ofGDPandmore40%the contribution totheCanarianeconomy, more

that we have many markets still to explore. that wehavemanymarketsstilltoexplore. enter theAmericanmarkettoo.Thetruthis then France,ItalyandPortugal. We cantryand Spanish marketitself, whichisimportant,and know wecangrowthere.Oneofthemisthe which marketswecandevelopbecause open newmarkets.We alreadyhaveitclear model wewanttodevelopandtheneed Thomas Cookhasmadeusrethinkthetourism and Scandinavian.Butthebankruptcyof Our threebiggestmarketsareBritish,German Where doyour tourists comefrom? pioneer inthisregard. The tourismsectorintheCanaryIslandsisa recyclable materialsintheirestablishments. with waterconsumptionandtheuseof internally. For example,beingmorecautious implementing sustainabilitymeasures and commercialsectorsarealready Many companiesinthetourism,industrial, change. climate against actions change. I alsowantusto beanexampleofsustainability andinthefightagainstclimate That everyonewantstocome visitus.Andwewillcontinueworkingonthat. the CanaryIslandstobeknown throughouttheworld,eachof8islands. leaders andIwantustobeworld leaderstoo.Iwantustobeareference,for I wanttoseetheCanary Islands as a trueworldleader. We arealreadyEuropean How wouldyouliketo seetheCanary Islandsat the endofthis term? Canary Islandsandwhatfacilities,advantagescompetitivebenefitsthereare. inform, sincemanytimeswhatismissinginformationonhow to investinthe and wewilldoeverythingcantohelpwiththebureaucracy, tofacilitateand and commerce.Iamlookingforwardtoseeinginvestmentsinthe CanaryIslands government andinparticularwithourcouncil,whichdeals tourism,industry I wouldliketotellthebusinesscommunitythattheyshouldcome andtalktothis fully opentofacilitatetheconditionsforcompaniesthatsettlein thearchipelago. move theirproductivecapitalhereandhavemanybenefits.This governmentis Canary Islandsareanimportantnucleussothatcompaniescanbe establishedor make usmorecompetitiveintaxratesthantherestofpeninsular Spain.The ZEC (SpecialCanaryZone)thathastaxadvantagesandaseriesofconditions The businesssectorhasagreatopportunitytoinvestintheCanaryIslandsits inthearchipelago? Can youtell usabout the investment opportunities wealth, employmentandsocialwelfare. want themtospendmoneyinthearchipelago,becausedoingsogeneratesmore increase thequalityoftourismandalsotouristactivitiesweoffer. We We canincreasethenumberoftourists,butthatisn’tourgoal.Ourgoalisto Will yourtourist arrivals continue to increase inthe nearfuture? history, art,heritage,andsoon. to theCanaryIslandswant:onlysunandbeach,oralsogastronomy, culture, We needtostudyandanalyzewhatarethetouristproductsthatthosewhocome

Q&A (ITC) is the regional The Technological fields of research, development & Institute ofInstitute the Canary Islands leaderin the innovation FOR THE REGIONFOR THE LABORATORY W face as a region which is located far from the face as a region which is located far from the “We are converting the disadvantages that we as theCanaryIslands. countries which face similar natural challenges er have been successfully implemented in other in areassuchaswatertreatment andsolarpow- novations whichhaveemergedfromtheislands in- Many development. and research scientific ty, sustainabilityisoneofthemaindrivers In thissmall,geographicallyisolatedcommuni- novation. engineers are on the cutting-edge of global in- the archipelago,scientists,researchersand able energyanddesalinationsystemsacross de-HPC supercomputer on Tenerife and renew- nomical observatoryonLaPalma totheTei - AN ISLAND

weight. From the astro- punched abovetheir nary Islands have long and technology, theCa- hen itcomestoscience

and accelerate their development,” Megías Megías development,” says. their accelerate and tries inourregionincreasetheir sustainability exporting solutions that can helppoorercoun- “With ourexperienceandexpertise,weare better respondtoclimatechange. sector improvethequalityofdegradedsoiland project whichwillhelptheAfrican agricultural Mauritania and Cape Verde, the ITC launched a At thestartof2020,withpartners fromSenegal, graphical challengestotheCanaryIslands. nation intheAtlantic whichfaces similargeo- ergy systemsinCapeVerde, anisolatedisland have installedmicro-gridsandrenewableen- Supported bytheITC,Canariancompanies energy efficiencyandaccessibility. aging the use of traditional designs to improve encour- is and villages Moroccan into energies Another teamhashelpedintroducerenewable water aroundtheclocktovillagesinSahara. desalination plant that provides clean drinking is asolar-powered ITC the of project flagship A innovation. Canarian of benefits the enjoying Across Africa, many communities are already ilar regions,suchascountriesinWest Africa.” Islands andthentransferthatknow-howtosim- work in isolated territories such as the Canary General the Director oftheITC.“We developsolutionsthat Megías, Gabriel explains tage,” European continent into a competitive advan-

ITC olwu n aeokcmVsteeietwitter.com/visit_Tenerife facebook.com/VisitTenerife Follow us on: webtenerife.com Tenerife´s is you. that’s missing The onlything got itall. Newsweek Aktuellaustria207x267_EN.pdf119/2/2017:03 It’s your nextdestination It’s your Tenerife is365days of sun a forest, ancient a night you’ll never forget. an is paragliding experience, Tenerifea long meal with friends and streets. its on heart your and wave next the on eyes your sand, You live Tenerife day and night, with your feet on the instagram.com/visit_tenerife + 1million 115 +195 +1,700 843,000 HOSPITAL BEDS FROM GRAN CANARIA DIRECT DESTINATIONS POPULATION OFISLAND THE PORTSTHROUGH THE CONTAINERS BILINGUAL SCHOOLS MORALES MÉNDEZ

Gran CanariaCouncil

facts ANTONIO

President concerns climate change. We’ve been been We’ve change. climate concerns Project Eco-island of our pillar Another work on. to we have something is this it and store to means the lack we still 10%, grown has island the on production energy clean though Even start. to about is plants of these Construction produce. we energy clean the store to facilities plus station power awind-hydro as well as plant power ahydro-electric building on working are and goal this towards headway considerable make to we want term current our During sovereignty. energy reach to was of them One goals. development sustainable UN’s the from aspects fundamental several on based was project This Project. island Eco- the we created so and development sustainable regarding whole island the to concept and experience this implement to Iwanted Council, Canaria Gran of the president Ibecame when So occasions. several on UN the by follow to a model as recognized and issues sustainability in areference was commonwealth This Canaria. of Gran East South the for of Municipalities Commonwealth the formed we Ingenio, and Lucia of Santa mayors the with together then, back and of Agüimes mayor the Iwas Council, Canaria Gran of the president the Ibecame Before about this? more alittle talk you Can sustainable. more Canaria Gran of island the make to is, that to continue working on a thrilling project: you allows re-election your that You said

HEADING TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUTURE can still find them. find still can one world where the in places few of the and reforest our laurel forests; we one are recuperate to is priority Another project. this for funding necessary the of finding stage now at the We center. are tourist our island, of the south the to way the all go and Canaria de Gran Palmas Las from depart will that atrain for aproject with forward moving we are this, improve to continue to And island. the on cars private many too far are there because traffic our improve to need However, we still users. of number the increase helped that cards travel different three introduced have we with, To start transport. of public use the encouraging by mobility sustainable towards steps taking we are Moreover, island. our from come doesn’t what on depend to not and locally produce to is objective Our years. few past the in increase a30% been has there farming livestock Regarding organic. possible, if and farming livestock and agriculture both in products of 100%-local production boost to products food of ‘zero-kilometer’ consumption the encouraging also We are objective. our is which 50%, to 40 between be to is ideal the that Nations) states United of the Organization Agriculture and FAO the (Food Nevertheless, considerably. grown has and Today at 20% we are here. produced was we consumed what 10% of only past, the In sovereignty. food is project Eco-island of the goal Another Canaria? Gran of future the make sure the Project Eco-island changes to on work to need still you do else What aquaculture. and biotechnology ahub of blue of Bioasis, creation the like area this in progress some made We’ve blue economy. our boost to we need then And etc. tourism, medical tourism, active tourism, sports tourism, nature develop to we need tourism; sand and sun on rely only We offer. cannot tourism our diversify to now we need Right important. extremely is which project of the part as tourism sustainable have We also Macaronesia. in impact change climate the measure to of acenter implementation the on UNESCO with working even We are Canaria. Gran in change climate manage and with deal to aprogram on mayors several with working the marketing and technological innovation innovation technological and marketing the 2019 discussed which Summit Canaria Gran Overbooking the Iinaugurated October In sustainable? more be it Will Canaria? Gran Thomas Cook change the tourism model in operator tour of bankruptcy the will How project. Eco-island the of pillars the of one You mentioned that sustainable tourism is culturally and today we are a confident people ready to embrace the future. future. the embrace to ready people aconfident we are today and culturally us define to helped has This America. and Africa Europe, from of cultures pot amelting been have territory and community our both For centuries, people? &its island the describe best you would how Council, Canaria Gran the of President the As way. asustainable in built were that hotels and energy clean with aplace demand that tourists of those rise due the to offer asustainable have to we need Also, places. other and mainland Spanish the from coming of those increase an seen we have years recent But in Britain. Great and Germany countries, Nordic the from are Canaria Gran to come that tourists now,to of the most Up from. come clients our were markets the diversify to important very also is It winter. the during flights their increase will they that announced already have of them some and airlines different with negotiations new triggered also Cook of Thomas fall afew. The name to recession, German the or Brexit like factors, but other Cook of Thomas because only not developed, further be to needs and key is Connectivity consumer. final the with connected better be to we need areality this But make to products. tourism of our purchase and contact direct the encourage and favor to intention, -and obligation our it is Cook, of Thomas closure the With prices. the but also destinations the only not determining way amonopolistic in operated they operators; tour on heavily depended Islands Canary the Traditionally, online. made are bookings travel and today, of holiday 30% that we learned There tourism. in

Q&A Currently, the large majority of the more than 4.5 million tourists who come to Gran Canaria each year buy their flights and accommodation through a package operator, mostly on all-inclusive deals bought in their home country, and rarely leave their hotel and beach to make purchases in the community. “Tourism can become a real driver of economic development in Gran Canaria, supporting the growth of rural communities and the production of local goods and services for foreign tourists.” “Our plan is to make sure that those who come spend more here on the island,” agrees Pablo Llinares, General Manager of the Gran Canaria Tourist Office. “For that to happen, our strategy is to develop a more diverse tourist offer. “We are looking for tourists who are culturally active, who relate to the population, who want to try and experience the local gastronomy. We want our tourism development to benefit all Islands and is the ideal place to sample Gran the population of island, not just those work- Canaria’s indigenous wines and local cuisine. ing in tourism-related businesses. Every February, the city becomes home to one While many of today’s tourists spend their of Europe’s most colorful and diverse festivals: time in the southern part of the island, Gran the Carnival of Las Palmas. Canaria’s attractions are among the most di- It is not only the tourism sector that is steering verse of the entire archipelago. Known as a Gran Canaria in a more sustainable direction. “continent in miniature,” this is the most sce- The local government’s Eco-Island project nically diverse of the islands and a paradise aims to put the island’s entire economy on a for hikers and mountain bikers as well as for more sustainable basis and reduce its carbon lovers of watersports. footprint, by investing in clean energy, energy Additionally, the island’s cosmopolitan capi- storage, public transport and local food pro- tal Las Palmas is the largest city in the Canary duction.

ential tourism that attracts independent trav- NEW HORIZONS elers who will spend more in the community. “We need to diversify our tourism offer,” Pres- ident Morales says. “While sun and sand tour- FOR GRAN CANARIA ism is important, we understand that we cannot rely just on this segment. We have much more to offer and we need to develop nature A pivot to ore than 60 years after the first tourism, sports tourism, active tourism, medi- sustainable charter flight from northern Eu- cal tourism as well as others.” tourism that will rope landed at Gran Canaria Air- The collapse of British tour operator Thomas support economic Mport, heralding the start of the Cook in 2019, combined with Brexit and a development & era of mass tourism, a new chapter is opening German economic slowdown, illustrated the social inclusion in the history of tourism on the island. island’s dependence on this one model of tour- across the island Spearheaded by Antonio Morales Méndez, who ism. “We cannot just focus on increasing tour- was re-elected head of the island’s government ist numbers,” Morales says. “As we develop in 2019, Gran Canaria is pivoting away from new offerings for tourists such as agritourism, sun-and-sand tourism and all-inclusive pack- we will be able to increase the amount of mon- ages and moving towards sustainable, experi- ey they spend on our island. +820,000 1,560 4.5 million 7 30% POPULATION CONTINUOUS GROWTH SUCCESSIVEOF YEARS TOURISM DIRECTLY FROM OF GDP COMES SQUARE KILOMETERS TOURISTSIN 2018 PABLO LLINARES General Manager facts Tourist Office Gran Canaria

growth year after year reaching over 4.5 growth yearafter yearreachingover4.5 continuous growth. We hadanunparalleled Indeed wehavehad7successive yearsof growth? the past 7years.Hasit beenasustainable Tourism hasbeengrowing inGran Canariafor in GranCanaria. even more,onthelivesofpeoplewholive had apositiveimpactonourterritoryand, All theinfrastructurethatwasdevelopedhas brought, likehotels,marinasandgolfcourses. the highlevelinfrastructuredevelopmentit specifically inthesouthofisland;and certain areasofGranCanariaweredeveloped, the servicesandindustriesrelatedtoit;how the numberofjobopportunitiesitcreates;all Nowadays, tourismisveryimportantdueto the economiclandscapeofGranCanaria. This 50-yearlongdevelopmenthaschanged both islands,Tenerife andGranCanaria. Canary Islandsitstartedbeingdevelopedin in anyotherdestinationtheworld.In thriving sector, neitherinGranCanarianor a timewhentourismwasn’tdevelopedor The tourismindustrystarted50yearsagoat connected, somehow, tothetourismsector. that morethan70%oftheisland’seconomyis And, indirectly, itreaches70%.Thismeans domestic productisdirectlyrelatedtotourism. Gran Canaria.Morethan30%ofthegross Tourism isthebackboneofeconomyin Gran Canaria? social andthe economicpoint ofview, in What roles doestourism play,both from the

GRAN CANARIA A FAIRYTALE ISLAND elsewhere because it is not possible to export elsewhere because itisnotpossibletoexport and indigenous, anditcannotbeenjoyed Our gastronomyiscompletelydifferent special about it? What isthe localgastronomy like?What is don’t leavetoexploretheisland. have thosethatstayatahotelallthetimeand the localgastronomy. We wouldprefernotto population, whowantstotryandexperience who isculturallyactive,relatestothe to seeanddo.We arelookingforatourist of GranCanariawheretherearealsothings them tomoveandvisitthecenternorth the hotelsandhousesare,butthenwewant residential areasinthesouth,wheremostof several things.Theycanspendtimeinthe to knowthewholeislandandexperience tourists whoarewillingtotravelaround,get the island,sowearelookingtoattractthose amount ofmoneythetouristsspendhereon As Ijustmentionedouraimistoraisethe like to attract? island? And what kindoftourist wouldyou What typeoftourist iscurrentlyvisiting the tourist offer. sure thathappens,wemusthaveabetter tourist spendsmorehereandinordertomake Gran Canaria.Ourstrategynowisthatthe which istheamounttheyspendswhilein of origin,andthenhere,inthedestination, home andthatmoneystaysintheircountry Canaria ismadebothbeforetheytravel,at expenditure ofatouristthattravelstoGran here ontheisland.Bearinmindthat make surethatthosewhocomespendmore expenditure duringtheirstay. Ourplanisto 2017 andfocus,fromnowon,onthetourists’ is tomakesurewestayatthefiguresfrom slightly thisyear, anditisokbecauseourplan of touristscomingtoGranCanariawilldrop few years.We understandthatthenumber and touristicenvironmentwehadinthepast changing theextremelypositiveeconomic some touroperators;allofthesefactorsare tour operator, theweaksalesofholidaysby no longerservicingus,thefallofanimportant concerning ourairconnectivitywithairlines cycle. We arefacingsomechallenges Right now, weareinthemiddleofachanging and fastgrowth. tourists. Thishasbeenanexponential,high Five yearsago,weonlyreceived2.8million million touristsinGranCanarialastyear. have whileinGranCanaria. unique touristexperiencethatyoucanonly Visiting a coffee plantationinEuropeisa Canaria, specificallyinAgaete,thenorth. in EuropeislocatedontheislandofGran For example,theonlycoffeeplantation some. of experiencesandgastronomycanprovide are increasinglylookingfordifferentkinds tourist experiencesduringatrip.Tourists more thanjusteating.Ithastobeoneofthe and savorit.Gastronomyshouldbemuch entire processandintheend,buycheese produced, interactwiththelocals,enjoy visit thecheeseshops,learnhowis have thewholeexperience:wewantthemto cheese andbuyingit;wewantthetouriststo But webelieveit’snotjustabouttryingthe certainly amongthebestonesinworld. of ourchesseswereawarded.Ourcheesesare In themostrecentWorld CheeseAwards, 22 There arealsoa lot oflocalwinesand cheeses. is alwayspreparedinveryuniqueway. taste itherewhileisfresh,recentlymade.It with localfreshproduce.However, youcan it, sinceitsproductionislimitedandmade people whowelcome everyonewithopenarms. wonderful time. Especiallybecausethepeopleof GranCanariaareverywarm notch infrastructureandwhere they willbeabletodomanythingsandhavea because theywillfinditawelcoming andsafeplacewithqualitytop- I wouldliketorecommendGran Canariaastheirnextholidaydestination Canaria? What messagewouldyoulike to sendto our readers inviting them to visitGran those workingintourismrelatedbusinesses. development benefitsthepopulation,thoselivingonisland, andnotjust And thesetouristswillalsobenefitthelocals.Ouraimisthatourtourism destination. it. Andwewantthembecausetheyaretheonesthatspendmore moneyatthe holiday wheretheycandecidewhatwanttodoandwhen they wanttodo Gran Canariaistheperfectholidayspotforthosewhowanttohave aunique they tailormaketheirtripsandnolongerhavetobuyapackage tour. an agencyortouroperator-theyplantheirtripsaccordingtowhat theywant, Now alotofpeoplebooktheirholidaysthemselvesanddon’talways dependon because peoplearebecomingmoreandindependentwhentheytravel. the feelingofbeingatravelerandnottourist.Thisischangingnowadays drive aroundonhisown.We wantthetouristtohavefreedomexperience family, children,partnerorfriendsontheirown.Hecaneasily rentacarand will encounternoproblemifhewantstoventureoutofthehotelwiththeir telecommunications whichguaranteeastress-freeandsafeholiday. Thetourist We arepartofEurope,withEuropeaninfrastructure,healthcare,roads, get allyouneed. Correct. We canoffermuchmorethanjustahotelforwholeweekwhereyou a morevaried tourist arrivals? So youwant to diversifyawayfrom just the all-inclusivekind ofguest andhave

Q&A (ASSISTANCE, LOCAL 120 2021 4% INDOOR FILMING SETS OFOPENING TWO INTEL, SOFTLANDING) PROJECTS LANDED BUSINESS TAX RATE CORPORATE

COSME GARCÍA Gran CanariaCouncil Economic Promotion

Managing Director facts FALCÓN SPEGC Office most comprehensive, safe, tax-friendly tax-friendly safe, comprehensive, most of the one Islands Canary the making (45%) innovation subsectors, technological (75%) R&D and costs), industrial, eligible (40% audiovisual the in at activities aimed specifically are These rates. increased but with Spain, mainland in enforced figures rebate tax and deduction same mimicking force, in currently are incentive tax- of tailored awhole set Equally, etc. duties exemptionswithinFreeTrade Zones, incentives forindustrialprojects,custom- of youngprofessionals,substantialdirect subsidies fortransportandrecruitment withholding taxfordividendrepatriation, apply: deductionsoninvestments(25%),no VAT-equivalent. Othersignificant benefits consumption taxationisrestrictedtoa7% the CanaryIslandsSpecialZone),whereas taxation oncorporateprofits(4%rateat The CanaryIslandsofferscompetitive tourism andmaritime/portindustries. far beyondthecoresectorsofoureconomy: for operations-andinnovation-basedprojects, We seeourselvesasatrustedgrowthpartner European Commission. Europe, fullyauthorizedandsupportedbythe attractive onshoretaxregimetobefoundin what couldbeconsideredthesingle-most geo-strategic center, opentobusiness,hosting a dynamic,well-positionedandconnected direct investmentandeconomicventures.It’s Gran Canariaistodayasounddestinationfor domestic andforeign investors? What isGran Canaria’s appealto both

GRAN CANARIA OPEN TO BUSINESS blue economy, marinebiotechnologyand abovementioned taxadvantagesarethe Other sectorsthatalsobenefit from the development. sectors, facilitatingtest,livepilots andproduct Island’ strategyspecificallyaimed atthose technologies. GranCanariahasa ‘Laboratory young highly-qualifiedprofessionalsforthese there isastrongtalentbasedrawingfrom the island–apartfromattractivetaxation, and digitalactivitiesarealsoideallysuitedto Software development,smarttechnologies publicity), back-officesupport,etc. trading houses(energy, commodities, subsectors: centralizedprocurementcenters, opportunities arebeingtappedinvarious markets beingthecoreclients.Other global reach,Spanish,GermanandNordic blending oilterminalstocall-centerswith Gran Canariaboastsfromtransformation/ between bothofthemandtheAmericas. and African markets,servingasaconnection transformation platformfortheEuropean Gran Canariaisanaturalserviceand and commercialactivities. the Port ofLasPalmas, andthetransformation maritime andlogisticsactivitiesinaround that areinterchangeablyconnected:the other traditionallystrongeconomicsectors dependent Canarianisland,thankstotwo It istheleastconstruction-andtourism- sun-seeker destinationishighlymisleading. room) oftheislands,thinkingitisjustatop the highestRevPAR (revenueperavailable with 4.5milliontouristsayearandreports Although GranCanariaisatourismdestination its dependenceontourism? island´s diversification andhowcanit reduce What are the mainchallengesforthe of mainEuropeancities. competitive costoflivingwhichisabouthalf while itremainsagreatplacetolive,at support professionalandpersonalgrowth, market opportunities,hirelocaltalent,and pilots (‘LabIsland’),exploitlocationaland needs, complywithinnovativeprojects,run Canaria offersconditionstosatisfybusiness extensive rangeofleisureopportunities.Gran magnificent naturalsurroundingsand it indeedisthankstoanexcellentclimate, or atouristdestinationworthvisit,which Gran Canariaismorethanmagnificentsights Europe. in environments economic interesting and disposal ofinternationalinvestorstoinitiate Several researchcentersarealreadyatthe and thebiotech. to ourportsnetwork,theoffshoreenergies have anoutstandingeffectonactivitieslinked advantages andtherelatedpublicstrategies Physical conditions,combinedwithtax aquaculture. business projectsinthebiotechnologyand natural resourcesmakeitatrueoasisfor quality ofitswaters,weatherconditionsand the sustainableuseofmarineresources.The Gran Canariahastheidealconditionsfor economic development ofyour island? What isthe role oftheblueeconomyin local institutions. infrastructures, plusaconsistentsupportfrom and thewell-connectedhigh-standard friendly environment,youngtalentpool operations baseandtestingsitewithatax- and supplies,makingGranCanariaanideal aquaculture, off-shore activities,ship-repair transition andspreading thebenefitsofabecoming aSmartIsland. Public effortsand public-privatepartnershipsare supportingthetechnological IoT, appliedblockchain andfurtherintoaprosperoussustainablefuture. Port AuthorityofLasPalmas a strategy thatpavestheroadtosmartlogistics,Port operations, inwhichwewillalso manageastart-upincubator. We sharewiththe companies, start-upsandprojects relatedtothemaritime,offshoreandport In addition,SPEGCisalreadyworking onthecreationofaPort-Center for economy andaquaculture,whichwillbelocatedinthesoutheast oftheisland. development ofanexperimentalbusinessareaforbiotechnology, circular Canaria, fromextendingthefilmshooting/audiovisualinfrastruc tures tothe The islandcouncilisalsoinvolvedinincreasingtheinfrastructure ofGran improve theskillsandabilitiesneededfortheiractivities. Most ofthetimeweworkuponprivatesectordemandtocover gapsand professionals with100yearlycourses,seminars,masterclassesandworkshops. Gran CanariaCouncil,providestailoredtrainingandeducationtoaround1,500 SPEGC, beingtheeconomic-developmentagencyandinvestingentity ofthe What areyour current initiatives to promote the economyofthe island? Canaria andareduetoopenearly2021 and theotherwith1,800,arecurrentlybeingconstructedinLasPalmas deGran of fact,thefirstindoorfilmingsetsCanaries–onewith1,500-squaremeters ranging conditionsandfacilitiesforproductionpost-production.Asamatter eligible costsincurredduringinternationalproductions;andexcellentwide- live actionfeaturedfilmsandseries;attractivetaxreliefs–40%paybackonall excellent operatingconditions.For example:year-roundfilmingavailabilityfor The audiovisual,film,digitalanimationandpost-productionindustriesenjoy Film Commission? How doyouassessthepotential ofthe audiovisual sector with the Gran Canaria PLOCAN (OceanicPlatformof theCanaryIslands). studies andpilots,includingBEA(NationalAlgaeCollection),ECOAQU A and

Q&A 7 25 2004 GROUP FOUNDED GOLD AWARDS SUSTAINABILITY TRAVELIFE PROPERTIES

VILLALOBOS General Director Hotels &Resorts facts NICOLÁS MESTRES beCordial establishments on Gran Canaria. establishments on GranCanaria. total of€136million. Today we manage25 and theunitsinMaspalomas,we investeda Hotel. Itwasahugeinvestment; betweenthat Mogán Valle neartheCordialMogánPlaya In 2008,weopenedApartments Cordial mingle. an areawherethelocalsandtouristscan authenticity, soit’slesslikearesortandmore it wasafishingvillageandhaskeptits just theclimatethatmakesthisareaattractive, has blueskiesandnohumidity. Butit’snot Canaria isprotectedfromthewindandalways exaggeration, thesouthwestpartofGran which hasthebestclimate.That’snotan resort thatwehaveinthesouthofisland, our hotelchain.It’sabeautifulandcharming Mogán PlayaHotel,whichistheflagshipof By theendof2004,weopenedCordial properties inPlayadelInglesandMaspalomas. When westarted,ownedthreeapartment cars tocreatethebeCordialinvestmentgroup. forces withthedealersofAudiandMercedes hotels weretheirmainclients.Sotheyjoined investment inthehospitalitysectorbecause recognized thattherewasanopportunityfor beverage industryhereontheisland.They shareholders weremembersofthefoodand chocolate, icecream,etc.Initially, mostofthe brewers, theproducersoflocalwater, leaders hereinGranCanaria:thebeer founded in2004.Itwascreatedbyindustry We areafairlyyoungcompanyaswewere & Resorts. Please introduce usto beCordialHotels

BECORDIAL:

COMMITTED TO

SUSTAINABILITY hotel industry. consumption down,asmuchpossibleinthe making itpotable.We trytokeepourenergy taking thesaltoutofseawaterand The islandusesalotofelectricityjustin sustainability? What’s yourbiggestchallengeinterms of explore andspendmoneylocally. all-inclusive; wewantthegueststogooutand Also, wewerecarefultonotmakeourresorts communities. local the for events sports to cultural from initiatives, many support to we try so responsible socially be to we need acompany As philosophy. our brand,itisalsothefundamentof much morethanjustthebasicelementof means ¨fromthehearẗ,sobeingcordialis sustainability. CordialistheLatinwordthat be recognizedandrespectedasleadersin social responsibility. We areveryproudto de HotelerosEspañolesawardforcorporate sustainability. In2014wewontheCongreso Last yearwewontheBankiaawardfor sustainable. committed toourislandsandkeepingthem and havebeenhereforcenturies,soweare not justshort-termprofit. We arefromhere are alwayslookingforlong-termsolutions, are businesspeoplefromtheislandwho terms ofsustainability. Ourshareholders We havereceivedquiteafewawardsin Bankia. Whatcanyoutell usabout that? In 2018youwonasustainability awardfrom expansions. to saythatwehavebeensuccessfulinour contracts andcommercialservices.It’ssafe We havebeenexpandingwithmanagement seats to bring people to the islands so if they seats tobringpeopletheislandssoifthey During thewinter, theairlinehas700,000 created lessconnectivitybetweentheislands. when theThomasCookplanesstopped,it because wehadeverythinginsured.However, to happen,sowehaven’tlostalotofmoney Cook sinceweknewsomethingwasabout insurance forallthecreditsfromThomas We alsodecidedtogetacommercial about 15%ofourclientsusedthatcompany. through ThomasCook,howeverrecentlyonly began, morethanhalfofourbookingscame webpage orcallcenter. In2004,whenwe to getpeoplebookusdirectlythroughour using Booking.comandExpediatohelpus operators thatwewereusing.We werealso we hadalreadybeendiversifyingthetour Before ThomasCookdeclaredbankruptcy, a lotoftheconnectivitybetweenislands. tour operatorsinEuropeandtheycontrolled bankruptcy. Itwasoneofthetwobiggest shock seeingabigcompanylikethatfilefor We sawitcoming;howeverwasstillabig hotel industry andthe islandingeneral? How willthe the Thomas Cookclosureaffect landscapes, stunning weather, andkindpeople. between threecontinentsandas such,havearichhistoryandculture,amazing The CanaryIslandsisabeautiful archipelagointhemiddleofAtlantic Islands? What wouldbeyour final messagefor those looking to come to theCanary island morebike-friendlyforcyclistsandimprovingthedivingprograms. We’ve beenworking todevelopandencouragesportstourismtoobymakingour centers toourtourismofferandmakingGranCanariaasafeplace foraholiday. We havebeentrying toaddqualityexperienceslikegastronomyandwellness therefore itwouldn’tmakesensetohavejustbeachtourism. and regulationsthantheEUsowecannotcompetewiththosejust onprices, that hasanicebeach.Andthereareplacesintheworld laxerwithrules There arebeachesallovertheworld,sowehavecompetitionfrom anyplace offer abetter tourism product inGran Canaria? toJust sunandsandtourism isnolongerenough. Howdoyouseethe efforts on theislands. the islands.It’snotthatIdon’tcareaboutclimatechange,butweneedtosurvive if flyingwasoneofmanyoptionsforus,insteadthemain,logicalwaytoreach so thisisn’tlikeflyingfromBerlintoFrankfurt. We shouldn’tneedtobetaxedas don’t wanttoflynowbecauseofC02emissions.Butweareislandsinanocean stay asstablepossible.Butthisalsocomesbacktosustainability, manypeople the CanaryIslands,manyofthemworkintourismandtheyneedindustryto subsidize airtraffictoandfromtheislands.Thereare2millionSpaniards We havebeenaskingtheSpanishauthoritiesaswellEUtohelp adjust andotherairlineswillstarttocovertheseflights,itjusttaketime. don’t fly, wehaveaproblembecausetherearefewertouristarrivals.But,will

Q&A SUSTAINABLE TOURISM SPIRIT OF SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE

often choose to base themselves in the island’s attractive capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Lo- cated on the northeastern coast, this bustling port city is the ideal place for exploring Tener- ife’s culture, history and architecture. Whether exploring the charms of modern art gallery Tenerife Espacio de las Artes or discovering the charming historic town of La Laguna just outside the capital; whether visiting the stunning wave-shaped Auditorio de Tenerife designed by Santiago Calatrava, Increasing numbers of visitors are now choosing or simply hiking through the rugged Anaga RESORT CORDIAL to base themselves in this picturesque location mountains that overlook the city, Santa Cruz for the duration of their visit to Gran Canaria, is the natural choice for tourists in search of experiencing an authentic way of life that has the authentic spirit of Tenerife. SANTA AGUEDA: all but vanished from other parts of the island. Celebrating its 10th year in 2020, the Fun- Here the beaches and sandy coves are quiet- dación Santa Cruz Sostenible is leading the AUTHENTICALLY er, the nightlife is more laidback and the daily city’s efforts to protect its environmental rich- catch of fish in the restaurants is unbeatable. es for future generations of residents and vis- In the last couple of years, a handful of discreet itors to enjoy. CHARMING five-star resorts have opened in the neighbour- Chaired by Santa Cruz’s first female mayor, hood, giving international tourists easy access Patricia Hernández, the Foundation carries to the charms of Arguineguín. The Fundación he largest and most populous of out activities including environmental field The picturesque new chapter is opening in the Joining them this summer will be perhaps the Santa Cruz the Canary Islands, Tenerife is trips and recycling workshops for schoolchil- & authentic long history of tourism in Gran most luxurious vacation homes complex in the Sostenible is also the most visited by tourists. dren, organizing local volunteers to collect fishing village Canaria, as international visitors district, the Resort Cordial Santa Agueda. The spearheading In 2019, more than five million waste from beaches and implementing ac- of Arguineguín explore the stunning southern exclusive resort will be both owned and oper- the sustainable people came to Tenerife on a va- tions to combat climate change. is welcoming tip of the island with breathtak- ated by the Cordial Group, in which Arguine- development of Tcation, 40% of them from the UK. The Foundation’s work has helped turn San- discerning visitors Aing beaches around every corner. guín-born football international David Silva is a Tenerife’s capital city The island is dominated by the giant and ta Cruz into one of the standard-bearers for from around the Here on the Arguineguín coast, visited by Sir major shareholder. still active volcano of Mount Teide, the high- sustainability in the Canary Islands. Since the world Francis Drake and his legendary fleet of corsairs Perhaps the town’s most famous son, Silva is est mountain in Spain. Teide National Park, establishment of the Foundation, Santa Cruz in 1595, tourists are discovering a very differ- a passionate believer in responsible local de- a world heritage site more than 70 square has managed to cut its emissions of green- ent island from the larger resorts elsewhere on velopment. The project is being constructed miles in size, is one of the most visited na- house gases by almost 20%. Gran Canaria. in compliance with the highest environmental tional parks in the world. A cable car takes “Our city is much more sustainable now than Many visitors to the island will already be fa- and social standards and has won strong back- tourists to almost 12,000 feet high, affording it was a decade ago,” Ms Hernández says. “In miliar with Arguineguín’s Tuesday market. For ing from local environmentalists. stunning views of the entire island and the the coming months and years Santa Cruz decades, tourists have been coming here to buy As sustainable development unlocks the secrets surrounding ocean. will become even more sustainable as we ac- inexpensive souvenirs, stock up on subtropical of this most charming of villages, Arguineguín While most visitors to Tenerife stay near the celerate our efforts to fight against climate fruits and feast on some of the freshest and tast- looks set to assume a starring role in the future beaches of the south, independent travelers change.” iest fish on the island. of tourism in Gran Canaria. now want to sign a binding legal document with Cepsa to make the project a reality.” The quality of life and affordability that bring digital nomads and services providers to Santa Cruz also exert an enduring appeal to tourists who want to explore Tenerife inde- pendently and discover the island’s cultural and natural treasures for themselves. Far from the beach resorts and mass tourism of southern Tenerife, Santa Cruz is an authentic and friendly city, where contemporary art galleries and fashionable boutiques coexist happily with traditional food markets, unpretentious tapas bars and evocative historical buildings and churches. Every February, the streets, bars and public places of Santa Cruz become the backdrop to one of the world’s greatest festivals: Carnival. Rivaled only by the celebrations of Rio de Ja- neiro in Brazil, the city welcomes hundreds of thousands of revelers from all around the world to celebrate life and happiness in a colorful riot of costumes, masks, music and magic. More than just a giant street party, the Carni- val festivities in Santa Cruz are authentic ex- pressions of local culture which date back as far as the 16th century. Traditions such as the so-called Murga Contest of satirical singers and the Sardine Burial which ends the cel- international airports and world-class com- ebrations are examples of unique living her- DESTINATION: munications and computing infrastructure, itage that are unique to the Canary Islands. Santa Cruz is also an increasingly popular At the same time, no city in the Canary Is- SANTA CRUZ DE destination for startups and digital nomads. lands feels as contemporary and as cut- There are few other cities in Europe that ting-edge as Santa Cruz. Home to street can compete with Tenerife’s capital when it art and open-air sculptures from the likes TENERIFE comes to costs, climate, coworking spaces of Joan Miró, Oscar Dominguez and Henry and connectivity. Moore, the island capital also boasts perhaps The economy of Santa Cruz will receive a sig- the premier contemporary art museum in the Home to half of all he professionalism of the work- nificant impetus in the near term when oil Canary Islands, the TEA Tenerife Espacio de the inhabitants of force, the unbeatable quality of giant Cepsa shutters its crude refinery and las Artes, a stunning building of concrete Tenerife, the bustling life and the digital and physical transfers the land to the city government for and glass which showcases the creativity of a island capital of connectivity of Santa Cruz have redevelopment, including the construction wide range of 21st-century artists, photogra- Santa Cruz is not turned the city into a growth plat- of a state-of-the-art technology park. The phers and film makers. only an attractive Tform for businesses from a wide range of sec- so-called Green Santa Cruz 2030 project has Just a short walk away along the waterfront, and vibrant base tors, from translation agencies to container the potential to create new public and private the Auditorio de Tenerife is one of the most for independent terminal operators, from biotechnology firms spaces in the city, enhance public transport, celebrated buildings in all of Spain. Designed travelers, but also to call centers, IT helpdesks and providers of stimulate investment and support innovation by Spanish starchitect Santiago Calatrava an increasingly back office services for multinationals. across the local economy. and inaugurated in 2003, this wave-shaped important hub With corporation tax of just 4%, the lowest “This land belongs to the whole city,” says Pa- concert hall has come to symbolize the en- for business & in the European Union, unrivalled access to tricia Hernández Gutiérrez, who was elected ergy and optimism of the city as Santa Cruz investment the markets of Africa and Latin America, two Mayor of Santa Cruz in June last year. “We advances confidently into the future. 21.2 ºC/70.16°F 16.176 +207,000 IN 2018 IN ACTIVE BUSINESSES OF SANTA CRUZ POPULATION TEMPERATURE AVERAGE ANNUAL Santa Cruz de Tenerife HERNÁNDEZ

facts GUTIÉRREZ

PATRICIA Mayor forward wasto forget thepast;nowweknow respect traditions. We usedtothinkthatgo They arenotincompatible.Modernity can between modernityandtradition? How doyoumanageto strikeabalance internet wecansharethisvision. solidarity andcommunityNowadays,withthe without losingoursmall-townspiritof we areuniqueinthat;cosmopolitan been atthecrossroadsofmanycultures, made usuniqueinSpain.We havealways to theworldforourcityandthishasalways tourism. Theporthasalwaysbeenawindow this, acrossroadandhubfortrade cosmopolitan. Andithasalwaysbeenlike sense ofcommunity, butweareabsolutely a cityatthesametime.We haveastrong In thatrespect,SantaCruzisavillageand welcomes them. knows howimportanttouristsareforusand and notonlyforthetourists.Yet SantaCruz development mustbegoodforthepopulation as usingthesefacilitiesintherightway. Any Having thebestfacilitiesisnotasimportant they donotimprovethelivesofcitizens. infrastructure projectsarenotasimportantif the forefrontofourdecisions.For us,large life, addingvalueandputtingourpeopleat Our maingoalsareincreasingqualityof these goals? during aconference.Couldyouelaborate on about thenewobjectivesforSantaCruz At theendofSeptember2019,youspoke

SANTA CRUZ: BUSINESS & PLEASURE Sustainable Santa Cruzdevelopstheareaof For example,ourpublicfoundation as well. of potentialinourbusinessconvention sector nature andactivetourismthere isalot to rivalMiami’s.We haveculturalactivities, to touristsaswellartdécoarchitecture Cruz andbiospherereservesstillunknown hotels. We haveanational parkinSanta unique experiencesbeyondourall-inclusive We havealotofother thingstooffertourists, sand, althoughalotofvisitorscomeforthat. is beautifulandnotonlybecauseofsun Growth mustbringqualitywithit.Ourland of thesector? of Ryanair’s bases,howdoyouseethefuture bankruptcy of Thomas Cookandtheclosing sector ofyoureconomy.Withthe important Tourism hasbeenandwillremainthemost contemporary eventforSantaCruz. traditional evenasitbecomesanevermore that lastsovertwoweeks,andwhichremains whole cityparticipatesinastreetfestival be stoppedevenduringFranco’sregime.The magic, suchasourcarnivals—whichcouldn’t And thenourtraditionshavetheirown creates asenseofbelonging,continuation. which cannotbefoundelsewhere.This We haveourartisans,customs,celebrations city doesn’tbringanyaddedvalue. and businessesthatcanbefoundinanyother our roots.Astreetthathasthesameshops its importanttomoveforwardwhilekeeping the attractivenessofdestination.The connectivity whichhasnothingtodowith Cook andRyanair createdaproblemof Therefore, it’sclearthatthecrisisatThomas citizens andtotheworld. making ajewellikeAnagaknowntoourown niche marketandsupportsourenvironment, remains sustainable.Besides,itcreatesa enjoys amenitiesandservices,sothattourism preserving it.Itensuresthelocalpopulation of makingthisareaknown,butalso So thefoundationnotonlyfulfillsrole (laurisilva) whichhasuniquevegetation. largely undiscovered.Anagahaslaurelforests Anaga andtheruralparkthere,whichisstill All theseaspects makeourcityanexcellentplace forinvestment. fiber-optic connections whichyouwon’tfind in mostplacesoftheworld. Finally, asanislandweare investingincutting-edgetechnology;wehavefast welcoming. and sunshineperyearanywhere inEurope,withapopulationthat’sfriendlyand Furthermore, theinvestorsettling herewillhavethemostdaysofgoodweather security intermsofsanitationand health,sinceSpainrankshighinboth. within theframeworkofEuropeanUnion.Also,physicalsecurity and Secondly, weoffersecurity—andImeanlegalsecurity, becauseweoperate our cityaveryattractiveproposition. should lookinto.Theseadvantagesarepowerful,andtheymake investmentin tools IbelievearenotsufficientlyknowninEuropetoinvestors, andwhichthey can reducethetaxburdenbyupto90%ofacompany’sprofits, andotherfiscal To startwith,we haveafreezone,incentivesliketheinvestmentreserveswhich investors mayfindhere? What aretheopportunities our cultureandeconomy. Multiculturalism createswealth,andwehavebeenabletointegrate thatinto only forbusinessreasons,butalsoinsocialandhumanitarianterms. we aresoclose,makesusanidealsteppingstoneintothatcontinent,andnot Our positioninrelationtoAfrica, whichstillneedstobemoredevelopedsince then theopennessofpeoplemadeusunique,bothfortradeandculture. visit toSantaCruzisamust.Perhaps at firstthiswasbecauseofourport,but We’ve alwaysbenefitedfromit.Anyonewhocomesto Tenerife knowsthata Tenerife, thelargestcityinarchipelago, benefitfrom thisadvantage? it anidealhubandlinkto thesethreecontinents.HowcanSantaCruzde The CanaryIslands’location,betweenAfrica,Europe andAmerica,hasmade between portandcitytomakeitmoreaccessiblecomfortableforvisitors. growing, andsowehaveroomtoimprove.We haveimprovedtheconnection For SantaCruzitisalsovitaltobeacruise-shipport.It’ssegmentthatkeeps undertake andsolveasmunicipalregionaladministrations. without havingtotakethreedifferentplanes.Thisisthechallengewemust destination itselfkeepsimproving,butweneedtoensuretouristscanarrive

Q&A ANAGA PARK: A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

Tenerife has Located on the his mountain range is the oldest a heart: Santa Cruz. northeastern tip of part of Tenerife, formed some sev- Tenerife & offering From here, in the capital, you en to nine million years ago. Cov- can immerse yourself in the spirit perhaps the most ering more than 35,000 acres, this varied & intense highly protected area combines of the entire island, a magical place hiking opportunities Trugged, cloud-capped mountains with deep Tourists who come to Anaga may stay over- where you can experience it all. If you anywhere in the ravines, spectacular sea views and secret night in the park, in a handful of simple lodg- love authentic destinations for your Canary Islands, in black-sand beaches that provide hikers with es located in the villages and hamlets that are journeys, Santa Cruz de Tenerife is for 2020 the Anaga an irresistible invitation for a refreshing dip scattered across the mountains. Accommoda- you; cosmopolitan, historic, cultured, a Mountains will be after a hard day’s walking. tion here may be basic and rural, but money place for leisure & shopping. Enjoy this celebrating their As well as its stunning mountains and geol- from visitors has a major part to play in sup- amazing city & island by discovering fifth year as an ogy, the region is also one of the most bio- porting the c. 2,500 smallholders and their the genuine heart of Tenerife. official UNESCO diverse areas in Europe, with a staggering families who still live in the region. Biosphere Reserve variety of reptiles, birds, fish and countless The local councillor, Ruymán Izquierdo, is unique species of invertebrates. In addition to leading efforts to declare a marine reserve in the native fauna, the mountains are one of the area and to install charging points for elec- the best places in the archipelago to explore tric vehicles on the local roads. the laurel forests that once covered the entire For any traveller staying in nearby Santa Cruz, Mediterranean basin. a trip to this most diverse and ancient of Ten- Meanwhile, the clear waters here are home to erife’s natural parks is an unmissable chance rare species of eels, rays and fish and are an to travel to a world of natural wonder, un- increasingly popular destination for adven- changed by mass tourism or by the passing of turous divers. the years. or meat, while sampling some famous local wines that have been crafted for centuries.

Long live life outdoors! The best thing about having spring weather year-round is the chance to do the many outdoor activities that Tenerife offers. There is fun to have in the sea, on land or in the air. If guests want to spend time in the ocean they can try kayaking, windsurfing, surfing or div- ing. There are endless trails for cycling and hiking, or paragliding and flying over Tener- ife’s incredible landscapes. Outdoors is where one can find and enjoy the gorgeous beaches of Tenerife. There are plenty of picturesque beaches with soft white sand or black sand beaches that come from the volcanic origin of the island. There are equally beautiful beaches in the north and in the south such as Bajamar, Punta del Hidalgo or Garachico. One can even find natural pools created by so- lidified lava. Also, in the waters off the south of the Island, there are sailing excursions and visitors can spot marine animals 365 days a year. Tenerife is one of the best places in the world to watch and catch a glimpse of bottlenose dolphins as well as about 400 tropical pilot whales. For those who travel as a family, the theme parks in Tenerife are among the best rated Open 24 hours parks. There is the Loro Park Zoo or the Siam TENERIFE: Tenerife is a destination that is continuously changing and reinventing itself. Fun Park water park, with its white sand beach and is part of its DNA, and guests are guaranteed a good time whether they want a artificial waves will certainly keep children 100% LIFE lively scene or just relaxing with the sunset and waves. Beach clubs and elegant well entertained. rooftop bars abound and visitors can find a variety of shows and music festivals with some of the world’s top international acts in music and theater. A unique cultural heritage Tenerife’s towns and cities are charming and Tenerife, the island of fun A cluster of stars full of interesting architecture ready to ex- Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, has one of the most privileged climates Tenerife’s unpolluted and clear sky is considered one of the best on the planet plore. Some notable modern buildings are the in the world with an average temperature of 22°C/71.6°F from January to De- to observe the stars. It’s as if Tenerife and the sky itself are intertwined. Guests Adán Martín Auditorium and the International cember. It literally has 365 days of sun! Its volcanic nature, beaches and immense will not be surprised to know that Tenerife is home to the prestigious Institute Center for Fairs and Conferences, both works forests are spectacular. As well, the local gastronomy, wines and deep-rooted tra- of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands where telescopes are built by teams of re- by Santiago Calatrava and the TEA, Tenerife ditions, make the island the perfect holiday destination to disconnect, relax and searchers from all over the world. Anyone can be an astronomer and stargaze in Espacio de las Artes, by Herzog and De Meu- enjoy. Tenerife and there are many companies that offer the opportunity to observe the ron; they represent some of the architectural The natural environment of the island is one of its biggest attractions and Tener- sky with these other-worldly telescopes. beauties on the island. La Laguna, a UNESCO ife’s 43 protected areas cover about 48% of its territory. The Teide National Park, In addition to the stars in the sky, there are also some that can be found on land! World Heritage Site, has traditional mansions included in the UNESCO Word Heritage List, features the Pico Viejo stratovolcano There are five restaurants on the island with Michelin stars in recognition of and courtyards, but just as beautiful are those that, at 3,718 meters, is the highest peak in Spain. The views and sunsets from the the quality of their cuisine. But they are just a sample of the rich gastronomic of other historical centers that are also worth top are stunning, and a modern cable-car allows visitors to get close to the peak. universe of Tenerife which has been influenced by its constant connections with a visit such as La Orotava, Garachico or Icod Other important stops are the Rural Park of Anaga; Teno Park, with its laurel for- America, Europe and Africa. There are a variety of restaurants scattered around de los Vinos. est - a genuine relic of the Tertiary; as well as the Corona Forestal Park that has the island where one can taste authentic indigenous flavors: the famous Canar- an amazing pine tree forest. ian banana or honey, gofio (a flour made from roasted grains), fresh local fish More information at www.webtenerife.com 2 4% + 950,000 6.1 million INHABITANTS TOURISTSIN 2019 AIRPORTS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATE TAXRATE PEDRO MANUEL DOMÍNGUEZ Tenerife Council facts

MARTÍN President for example,have alotofsuccesshere. investment and start-up technologycompanies, possibilities here.Itisagreatplace for and theamountofdevelopment havemany three continentsmixedwiththe low taxation Companies thathavethissortof accessto nexus betweenEurope,Africa andAmerica. Tenerife isinageostrategiclocation.Itthe Tenerife? of What isbeingdoneto diversifytheeconomy demand inthenationalandEUmarkets. products ofthefinestqualitythatareinhigh In regardtoagriculture,weoffercertified Europe. that areunparalleledtootherareasof Special Zone(ZEC)thatofferstaxadvantages alternatives. For example,theCanaryIslands revitalization. Therearealsoothereconomic tourism remainsaverypotentelementof been goingthroughinthelastdecade,but to theworldwideeconomiccrisiswehave It isaneconomythathastakensomehitsdue How is Tenerife’s economythesedays? tourists camelastyear, arecordforus. your holidays.Infact,morethan6.1million in general,itisalsoasafeislandtospend can enjoypartiesthroughouttheyearand, cultural activities.Itisalsoaplacewhereyou very diversegastronomyandtherearemany it offersmuchmorethanthat.We havea holiday destinationofsunandbeach,but Tenerife isadiverseisland.Itlookslike Tenerife? Could youintroduce usto theislandof

CONNECTED TO THE WORLD those werepresent andforwhomwework, which isfundamental, knowingtheneedsof of participationandcitizencollaboration the activityofcounciland betterment administrative burdens,thetransparency in of processingtimes,theminimization of of thequalitypublicservices, thereduction Modernization Plan,thereistheimprovement Regarding thestrategicobjectivesof technological, humanresources,amongothers. organizational, procedural,normative, functioning thathasmanydifferentaspects: administrative cultureandinthewayof This impliesaverydeepchangeinthe possibilities providedbynewtechnologies. resources andwilltakeadvantageofallthe management ofpersonalandmaterial administrative organizationandanoptimal For this,itwillbeequippedwithanadequate services andtransparencyinmanagement. responsibility, excellenceinthequalityof of exemplarityintheexercisepolitical laws andwillbeguidedbytheprinciples sense, gobeyondstrictcompliancewiththe The Council’scommitmentwill,inthis the axisofpublicdecision. as theirtransparency. Citizenshipwillnowbe principles ofactionpublicservices,aswell It willdeepentheregulationofvaluesand period isfourmonthsandvaliduntil2022. the IslandCouncilofTenerife. Theexecution preparation oftheModernizationPlan on October29,2019thecommissionfor The InsularGovernmentCouncilapproved taken intheislandinstitution. obtain moreinformationabouttheactions and istransparent,forthosewhowantto short, agovernmentthatservesthepeople on societyandtheeconomyofisland.In evaluating thepublicpoliciesanditseffects government thatfightsagainstcorruption, need toshowwhatwewantbe:anopen useful technologiestothepopulation.We promote theavailabilityoflatestandmost the 2020-2023ModernizationPlanwill serve ourcitizensandtheirneeds.Therefore, have tobeanadministrationalwaysready The CouncildeTenerife isveryclear:we 2020-2023 ModernizationPlan? Can yougiveusthemainobjectivesof consumption, bothbytouristsandlocals. products thataretop-tierandexcellentfor our agriculture,becausewehavelotsof On theotherhand,wearetryingtosupport In addition,wehaveavastamountofnew, variety ofactivitiesweofferasadestination. a younger, activetouristwhoenjoysawide packages; and,ontheotherhand,wehave with childrenwhooptfortheall-inclusive the onehand,familymember, couples Mainly, wehavetwotouristprofiles:on exists today in Tenerife? How wouldyoudescribethetourism that tourists annually. investments ordestinationofmillions and toimproveasanislandobjectofbusiness have here. here. have you life of the quality the and advantages, tax the we provide, that security economic and legal the location, strategic of the because attractive we are So integrated intheEuropeanSingle MarketandwiththebesttaxregimeinEurope. competitive operatingcostswithout sacrificingtheguaranteesofaterritory Europe, andtheAmericas.Theisland istheidealoptionforinvestorsseeking as ourtaxrate.Andalso,Tenerife isinaverystrategic enclavebetweenAfrica, term changes,aretrustworthy. Thereareundoubtedlyfiscal advantages,such Firstly, becauseitwasasafedestination.Thegovernment, despitethecurrent Why is Tenerife attractive forinvestors? economic activityoftheislands. completion ofIndustrialPort ofGranadillacanbeadynamic elementofthe in navalrepairthatstillhasroomforgrowth,andweareconfidentthe there isalotofdemand.Theportthecapitalhasanimportant specialization improved. Butwehavegrowthpotentialforberthsofpleasureboats ofwhich order to maximize their efficiency. The Tenerife cruise destination has been greatly The portsarefundamentaltotheisland,althoughmuchremains tobedonein represent agreatopportunityforthedevelopmentofthisstrategicsector. The geographicalpositioningoftheCanarianportsandtheirlevelmaturity How doyouseethedevelopment oftheblueeconomyonisland? Belgium andFranceamongothers. Our tourismisledbytheBritishandGermansespecially;butalsofromSweden, All thisallowsustocoveraverywidespectrumofvisitorsandnationalities. quality five-starhotelsthatareveryinterestingforthehigh-endmarket.

Q&A 3,718 759,67 60% 2019 TO TENERIFE OF VISITORSRETURN BY PLANE IN DECEMBER PASSENGERS ARRIVED INSPAIN (TEIDE) HIGHEST PEAK Tenerife TouristOffice

meters DAVID PÉREZ

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CEO sustainability. have committed toworkwiththismethodof mean thatyouaresustainable, but thatyou progress insustainability. Havingitdoesnot positioning itselfasatruetoolto measure many otherterritoriesintheworld have,is like Barcelona,theBasqueCountry, and the BiosphereCertification,whichplaces the Responsible Tourism Institute,andthat that theUNWTOisstrengtheningtieswith The Bahamas?OrMadagascar?Ibelieve sustainable thantheBalearicIslands?Or know thattheCanaryIslandsaremore ourselves tootherterritories.Howdowe subjective. Also,it’sagoodwaytocompare Because ifnot,sustainabilitywillremain these goals. sustainable modelthatcanbemeasuredby together, andwestartworkingonareal and soon.Ultimatelyeverythingcomes categories: heritage,mobility, sustainability, which isverybroadandhasmanydifferent Development Goals)ofthetourismindustry, also meansadaptingtheSDGs(Sustainable of theBiosphereCertification.Thismethod by followingthemethodologyandstrategy One interestingwaywedecidedtodothisis big questionishowwearegoingtodoit. sustainability weshouldconcentrateon.The there, wecanbegintodiscernwhichaspectsof competitiveness aredefinitivelylinked.From From ourpointofview, sustainabilityand sustainable tourism? How is Tenerife tackling the issueof

AN INNOVATIVE & SUSTAINABLE TOURISM MODEL for thetouriststhat visitus. of thataging,because itwillbetheconstant and touristicallywealsohaveto beareflection inclusiveness. Europeisanaging continent, Also insocialjustice,accessibility, and showing everythingthatisdone for tourism. hierarchical communicationofthe citizens Biosphere Certificationthatisveryclear, the which isanotheroftheindicatorswithin training andespeciallycommunication, as everyoneelse.Itisanissueofawareness, car. TheeffortthatImakehastobethesame sustainability asIdrivetoworkaloneinmy have tomakesacrifices.Icannotbepreaching will havetoparticipate,andeveryone administration, butaswegoforwardeveryone Now itseemsthattheballisincourtof are madethatnotthemostpopular. honesty, andsometimesthatmeansdecisions and wehavetodoitwell,withconviction for futuregenerationsasmuchpossible, responsibility toleaveapristineenvironment visitors, tellusthatwemustact.We havea weather alerts,citizenawareness,localsand The evolutionofwhatweareseeing,the There isalotofpressuretomakethishappen. in Tenerife? especially What are somechallengesofsustainability, the ‘QPrize for Tourism Quality 2020’ bythe delaCruz received the City CouncilofPuerto On January 23,the Council of Tenerife and changing thetourismmodel. this processbecauseitisoneof the keysto transformation. Tenerife hasto accelerate destination andbeginthisprocessofdigital with SegitturtoassessTenerife asa forward. We havejustsignedanagreement that sense,weshouldnotlookback,but first victimofthatmodelchange,andin destination. ThomasCookwasperhapsthe to livetheexperiencesofferedbythat the waytomarket,chooseadestination, which isanotherthingthatchangesquickly- Digital transformationiskeyinthisstrategy, change inthetourismmodelisgoing. changing. Nooneknowsverywellwherethis model isquestionedalotandsaidtobe touristically speaking,andthatthetourism It istruethattherealargeadjustment have youfacedthesechallenges? as thenewheadof Tenerife Tourism. How and have coincidedwithyourappointment a concernwithintheCanarytourism sector closure oftheRyanairbaseshave caused The bankruptcyof Thomas Cookandthe are knownmore forourmildwinter. there arenohigh temperatures,sowetrulyhave agreatsummer. However, we that areoverlookedsuchasour summerweather. Thereisnohumidityhere, heritage iswhatthetouristappreciates asexotic.Inaddition,therearethings Authenticity hasbeenputinthe backgroundfordecadesand,intheend,that offer: identity, culture, customsandtraditions. activity, formany experiencesthatcanbelivedhere.We havesomemuchto as wellknownfortheexcitingculturalactivityithas,great sporting,social known for. It’sknownforitsweather, itsbeaches,nationalpark.Butitisn’t I believethatTenerife isknownforsomethings,butnoteverythingitshouldbe What wouldyoulikepeopleto knowabout Tenerife? last October. renewal oftheQqualitybeganinPuertodelaCruzonceagain, 30yearslater governance, innovation,accessibility. Andinthatsense,Ibelievethe renewed, andmeetalltheparametersofsustainability, digitaltransformation, it meansachangeinthequalityQ.Becauseasnecessarytool italsohastobe quality Q,theefforts.Becausewestrivetomakethisconference asuccess,and This recognitioncomestorecognize(worththeredundancy)originsof born. a successandwasbroughttotherestofSpainthat’showqualityQis that rewardedtheeffortsofentrepreneursPuertodelaCruz.Thismodelwas was deteriorating.Worried aboutthissituation,theywantedtoestablishaprize initiative ofsomebusinesspeoplewhosawthatthequalitydestination tourism wascelebrating30years.ItborninPuertodelaCruzthroughthe We heldaconferenceinPuertodelaCruzlastOctober, whenQforquality award? Institute of Tourism Quality ofSpain(ICTE). this Whydoyouthink youdeserved , Q&A www.webtenerife.co.uk/events of them shouldnot be more exciting. Some Many specialevents Tenerife throughout visitors get to know holiday experience but alsomake their help adventurous More informationat the islandbetter, that take place in the year not only missed TENERIFE 2020 O ple parallelactivities. multi- through education environmental and sustainability to committed is and world the val welcomes music and cultures from all over Set in a unique natural environment, the festi- • Boreal:SeptemberinLosSilos the protectionofoceansandmarinelife. to committed are and only products gradable biode- of use the encourage organizers The Arona Américas, Las Playa in 29 August Concert”: • visitors alike.Someworthmentioningare: and locals attract also festivals music Many tacón, whereracermustwearhighheels. race entertaining well-known its with Cruz la de Puerto and Arona in those are must a Also, world. the in important most nent stars. promi with festival music electronic great A Adeje • Arn Blue & Green Concierto Limpio, “Clean Elrow: April 11 & September 5 in Golf Costa l. h oe n at Cu is the of one and Cruz popular most the Santa in one The ble. unforgetta is International Interest, Tourist an Carnival, ur AGENDA Mascarita ponte - - • tional artists every year. Some of the concerts concerts the of Some year. every artists tional It always brings top notch national and interna- • MarAbierto sential stopduringHolyWeek. es- an it made have liveliness and mosphere at- great Its styles. music all of concerts with day the throughout festival outdoor an is This • ILoveMusic:April10,CostaAdeje tal awareness. environmen- create to aims festival ecological cultural this workshops, and sounds Through • no music. Another must for lovers of electronic and tech - Miguel deAbona San Golf Amarilla Year’sin New Eve & 31 ber Hidrosfera: Greenworld: MayinPuntadelHidalgo uy , etme 1, Octo- 12, September 4, July • conferences and tions exhibi art, music, their through prominent protagonists the are women where festival A Adeje in August Mujer.es: • Festival on June21andMiguelPoveda onJune27. PeralesLuis José 17, May on Manuel Víctor 17, April on Tyler Bonnie are: confirmed already omy, shopping and unique activities. unique omy, and shopping gastron great offers also Cruz la de Puerto as for dancing than more Something is there house. where everyone afro and house ful soul disco, soul, as such music with international Martianez Lago in festival weekend A • welcome tothesummer warmest the give to festival music electronic the is it artists, great of full line-up Another Adeje • world scene. the on players ternational in relevant the most attracts stages, five with and music electronic of festival international this fans, loyal and large its of delight Tothe • stage. the take to con firmed are Ramos Cristina and Queen) to ute today and forever. Dios a Salve la (Trib Reina yesterday, Spain’s of representatives prominent together most brings festival music This Cruz • practices. innovation cultural and exhibitions fashion, sports, gastronomy, offers also it as all, not is that But music. ic electron and urban dance, rock, indie, bines com that festival attractive and original An Cruz la Soul Lake S Phe Festival: Phe Ritmos del Mundo: October 10 in Puerto de la la de Puerto in 10 October Rock: Peñon August 15 in Golf Costa Adeje Costa Golf 15 in unblast: August Festival: June in Puerto de la Cruz August 21 & 22 in Puerto de Puerto in 22 & 21 August June 13 in Golf Costa Golf in 13 June ------• several cabaretsandshowsduringtheirstayinTenerife gastronomy,great by nied enjoy Visitorsalso activities. can leisure and shopping fashion film festival and roundtables with fashion experts. All of this is accompa The event welcomes fashion lovers with several runways of prestigious brands, a • out andenjoyamealonthebeach. chill can you where moon full a under when August and July in Nights Siam or culture Thai Festivalto Songkran tribute the a as April, such in events special its for popular very also is It beach. wave artificial its and attractions incredible its recognized as the best water park in the world for six consecutive years thanks to been anniversary.has 12th It its celebrate will Europe in waterpark largest The miere isentitled “Fausto”. pre- year’s This atmosphere. fun and provocative a in gastronomy and art scenic Bodegas Monje in El Sauzal. Wine & Sex is a show that combines wine, eroticism, by created was It fragrance. and dance music, of composed experience unique a offers it as shows conventional dismantles that cabaret daring and luxurious A in CostaAdeje • seguiriyas andguajiras. cane, tangos, alegrías, bulerías, of power and magic the experience can guests has been very inspirational is the renowned flamenco dancer Fran Chafino. Here This show is an exciting of many types of Spanish music and art. One dancer that in Arona • re- most the of performances nowned jazzartistsandgroupsontheplanet. the with capital jazz world the becomes Adeje Adeje • T Siam P June 10 & 11 in 11 XIIX Festival& 10 June International Canarias Jazz & Más Heineken: April 25 premiere & every Friday at Hotel GF Victoria GF Hotel at Friday every & premiere 25 April Scandal DinnerShow: Compás: enerife Fashion Weekend: May22to24PlayadelasAméricasinArona ark: September15inAdeje Every Wednesday to Sunday for 2 hours at the Sala Tibu nightclub Tibu Sala the at hours 2 for Sunday Wednesdayto Every - TOURISM Meanwhile, El Hierro’s underwater treasures, with crystal-clear waters that are home to whales, sharks, dolphins and manta rays, have turned the island into one of Europe’s most sought-after destinations for divers of all levels. It is not only sports enthusiasts who make their way to the island. In ancient times coming here was considered to be able to stand on the edge of world, El Hierro today attracts a wide range of travelers looking to escape the pressures of modern living and to discover a more authentic and peaceful way of life. With just 10,000 inhabitants, over the centuries the islanders have developed unique traditions that reflect their close relationship with nature, ranging from ancient irrigation technologies to weaving, basketwork and classic cheese-based recipes. Perhaps nowhere in the Canary Islands does the past feel as alive as it does in El Hierro, and nowhere are the inhabitants so determined to protect their environment and pre- serve their island for the future.

Excess wind energy which is not consumed at GOING OFF THE GRID the time when it is generated is used to pump water from a lower reservoir to a higher one. On days when the wind is not strong enough IN EL HIERRO ISLAND to turn the turbines, the water is then re- EL HIERRO leased to generate clean hydroelectricity. AN ISLAND WITH SOUL “Thanks to Gorona del Viento, El Hierro has For more than three ocated in the far west of the Canary become the first isolated community in the weeks in the long Islands, El Hierro was completely world which can rely on water and wind for and breezy summer self-sufficient in electricity for a total most of its electricity production,” Armas says. of 2019, the small, L of 24 days, generating all its needs us- It is not only in power generation that El Hier- rugged, island of El ing only wind energy and hydropower. ro is unique among the Canary Islands. The Hierro in the mid- “El Hierro has become the global capital of westernmost, southernmost and smallest of Atlantic became an innovation in renewable energy generation,” the major islands, El Hierro has a distinct iden- unlikely trailblazer in says the island’s president, Alpidio Armas. tity which has been untouched by the mass the global race to “The records that we are setting are showing tourism seen elsewhere in the archipelago. develop a cleaner, the way to a sustainable future, one based on Visitors to El Hierro can experience the Ca- more sustainable self-sufficiency in alternative energies.” nary Islands as they were before the first Life in El Hierro is different. energy system Driving El Hierro’s progress towards this car- charter flights arrived, when life was lived It’s special, it’s unique. bon-free future is the cutting-edge generation according to a slower, more natural pace. The facility of Gorona del Viento. The site com- entire island of El Hierro is a designated UN- It’s an island to enjoy with all bines wind turbines with a hydroelectricity ESCO Geopark and its rocky cliffs, wildflower five senses, to discover its station and ensures that any surplus power meadows and volcanic landscapes make it the landscapes & feel its peace. generated on windy days is not wasted but ideal location for hikers, mountain bikers and stored for use when the weather is calmer. paragliders. www.elhierro.travel 2000 100% 268 km2 10,000 SIZE OF THE ISLAND INHABITANTS BY UNESCO BIOSPHERE RESERVE DECLARED AWORLD IS USED ON THE ISLAND RENEWABLE ENERGY ALPIDIO ARMAS El Hierro Council facts GONZÁLEZ President tourism destination offeringnaturetourism, El Hierrowants to becomemoreofaneco- evolving? How doyouseetourism inEl Hierro of itsmarineenvironment,ageopark. Reserve andanislandthat is100%,andpart protected, anislandthatis100%aBiosphere having morethan60%ofitsnaturalhabitats energy, foritscommitmenttonature, it alreadyis:anislandknownforrenewable Our goalisforourislandtobeknownwhat purchase. currently assessingspecificsubsidiesforthe the issuanceofelectriccars-whichweare Goals. We haveourZeroWaste Planand the SDGs,SustainableDevelopment Meanwhile, wearealsoworkingwith and thermalenergy. tides, solarandphotovoltaic,accumulators energy possibilities.We aretalkingabout water butbroadeningtherangeofrenewable This happensbynotonlyrelyingonwindand to becomepermanentthroughouttheyear. will allowwhathappenedinAugust2019 We areseeingeconomicpossibilitiesthat use onlyrenewableenergy, 100%. Now, wewanttouptheanteandbeable regardless ofwhomisinchargepolitically. nature, sustainabilityandrenewableenergy, It comesfromyearsofcommitmentto accomplished? generated byrenewables.Howwasthis 100% oftheenergyusedonElHierro was energy. For 24daysinarow lastyear, El Hierro isleadingthewayinrenewable

EL HIERRO: THE ISLAND WITH SOUL international recognition, notonlyforthis energy project.This meansthatwehavean was recognizedasthebestglobal renewable event atUNESCOinParis, inwhich Gorona prize fromtheFrenchgovernment, atan over theworld.Imyselfwentto collecta This projecthasputGoronainthe newsall impossible forustoobtaininanyotherway. it. Endesahastechnologythatwouldbe is thefuture,andtheywanttoexemplify type ofenergy.Theyareconvincedthatthis it convertstoproduceelectricitywithanother but wehaveintegrateditasapartner, sothat traditional methods(thermalpowerplants), the companythatgenerateselectricitywith we donotcompetewithEndesa,whichis The greatestvirtueofthispartnershipisthat producing energy:Endesa. 100% privatecompanythatisdedicatedto the IslandCouncilofElHierro,andthena Canary Islandsgovernment,oneofthemis three publicorganizations,twofromthe of theCanaryIslandsareallparticipating; Hierro, Endesa and the Technological Institute of theCanaryIslands,CouncilEl It isapublic/privateproject.TheGovernment Viento, awind-pumpedhydropowerstation. We haveaveryclearexample:Goronadel projects?PPP (PublicPrivate Partnership) at 100%,whatalliancesarethere?Arethere To reachtheSustainableDevelopment Plan also committedandwillingtohelpus. etc, sincetheCanaryIslandsgovernmentis concept ofthefightagainstclimatechange, sustainability, theconceptofnature, We wanttobespearheadintheconceptof difficulties inmovementcanenjoythem. is alsoaccessibilitysothatpeoplewhohave and madeaccessible.Onthetrails,ourgoal people gotoswim,needbeorganized (because wedon’thavebeaches)where destination. Thesmallnaturalpools destination, youmusthaveanorganized At thesametime,tohaveacompetitive El GolfoValley. paragliding, withexcellentconditionsinthe celebrating its25thanniversaryandwehave an underwaterphotocontestthat’salready best intheworld.We havetheOpenFotosub, sea. ElHierro’sseabedisknownasoneofthe And whatwehaveisourland,nature,and of quantity. We wanttovaluewhatwehave. crowds. We’re aimingmoreforqualityinstead nature sports,responsibletravelling,andno very brightandclear. You canobservethe We alsovalueoursky, whichiswonderful, both theseaandairareabsolutelyclean. polluting industriesontheisland.Therefore, unique. We donothave,apartfromcars,any is releasedintotheatmosphere,andthis that ElHierroproducesverylittleCO The factthatweusealternativeenergymeans islands intheCanaryIslands? What differentiatesElHierro from theother private partnership. a defenderwithoutdoubtinthepublic/ award butforothersaswell.Therefore,Iam 2 that Island withSoul’. destination. We wantEl Hierro topermeatethem.That istheconceptof‘The want ourtouristsjusttospendtime hereasiftheywereinanyothertourist offer: responsibletourism,ecotourism, liveandexcitingexperiences.We don’t importance; especiallyforatype oftourismthatinterestsusandwewantto These aredifficultvaluestoverbalize, butarenodoubtissuesoftheutmost have calledSoul. Therefore, thatspirit,non-tangiblequestionElHierro has,iswhatwe don’t comefromourisland. so thatpersonalrelationshipsaremoredirectandwetransferit topeoplewho one. ThepeopleofElHierrogoataslowerpaceandthisallows ustointeract, the wayweCanariansare:open,friendly, outgoingandalwayswillingtohelp other islandswhichhavebeensubjectedtotourismandhassomewhat distorted tangible: itspeople.We stillretainthatCanarianspirithasbeenlostin We arenotonlytalking aboutlandornature,butvaluesthatarenot Your motto is“TheIslandwithSoul”Howwouldyoudefineit? think isoneofthequirksandrichesElHierro. Tacorón withanimpressivesunshiningonyou.ThisvarietyoflandscapesI landscapes oflaurisilva(laurelforests),andin10minutesbeswimming Having onlyabout250squarekilometers,thevisitorcanwalkthrough fruits, suchasmangos,avocados,andbananas. We produce85%ofthetropicalpineappleconsumedinSpain,aswellother level. stars inauniqueway, puttingElHierroasastarlightdestinationatEuropean

Q&A 1 72°F +300,000 3 BY PLANE IN 2020 ARRIVALS EXPECTED MUNICIPALITIES ISLANDS ENERY IN THE CANARY IN RENEWABLE IN DECEMBER AVERAGE TEMPERATURE st

LUCÍA FUENTES Tourism& Transport El Hierro Council facts Councilor connectivity isa priority, asyouhavetogo near future.Also, wehavetomakesurethat numbers toreturnnormallevels inthe countries aswellandweexpect tourism Cook hastakenatollontheislands andother understand thatthebankruptcy of Thomas we haveandgraduallyincrease it. We do years aretomaintainthetypeoftourismthat The prioritiesforthenextthreeandahalf new position? Transportation. What arethepriorities inyour Your position isCouncilorof Tourism and and showswhatnaturetrulyhastooffer. leisure recreation,itembracesacleanisland hotel complexes,hugeshoppingcentersand Gorona delViento project.Ratherthanlarge renewable energy, whichcanbeseenwiththe Hierro’s tourismistheimageofaleaderin of tourismthatissun,beachandparty. El We havemanagedtostayawayfromthetype sustainable tourism? What hasElHierro achieved interms of continue tointhisdirection. I believewehaveachieved,andourplanisto Canary Islandsandtheworld.Itissomething that hasdifferentiatedusfromtherestof maintain asustainablefuture.Thisisquality But weneedatourismthatallowsusto the island,itisalsobecomingveryimportant. been importanttous,astourismdevelopson Traditionally agricultureandlivestockhave El Hierro? does the tourism sector playonthe islandof Both sociallyandeconomically,what role

EL HIERRO: A FILM SET IN PARASIDE the islandasaset. campaigns, and whoever wouldwanttouse companies thatareengagedinadvertising we areworkingtoattracttopproducers and not haveitsownfilmcommission. Sonow but ElHierrowastheonlyisland thatdid and theneachoftheislandsalso hasone, one commissionforthewholeCanaryIslands create ourownfilmcommission.Thereis advertising companies.Also,ithasledusto productions suchastelevisionprogramsand has openedtheeyestomanyothertypesof the islandisprotagonistofseries.This only theplacewhereitwasfilmed,butthat have beenfortunatethattheislandwasnot touristically thankstoitsuseasafilmset. We the bestexampleofhowanislandcanbesold Without adoubt,the‘Hierro’series hasbeen set for thefilmindustry? for the island.HowisElHierro perceived asa The ‘Hierro’ serieshasbeenagreat showcase offers. the sectortokeepupwithchangingtourist are lookingatworkingwithnewcompaniesin new marketstokeepthetouristscoming.We Hierro. Finally, wewillfocusonthesearchfor through GranCanariaorTenerife togetEl between the publicandbusinesssectors? forcollaboration Are there opportunities it willopenmanydoors. biggest problem.Assoonaswesolvethisissue The internetisverylimitedandthatour projects? island, especiallysustainableorecological administration to attract investment to the What isthe biggestchallengeforthe current tourists. destinations inthe world.We needtoofferthebest conditionstocreaterepeat- need toofferahigh-qualityexperience aswearecompetingwithmanyother that thetouristnotonlyvisitsonce butwantstocomeback.Thismeanswe tourists thatknowus,wespark interest innewmarkets.We wanttoensure I hopethat,apartfrommaintaining ourparticulartypeoftourismandthe Where doyouseeElHierro’s tourist offerinfouryears? we havewhenitcomestosellingtourism. both theGeoparkandBiosphereReserve labelsaretwoveryimportantelements The Geoparkisamarkofthequalitywehaveasdestination. Undoubtedly, oftheGeoparkwithintourist offerofElHierro?What istheimportance the world. good winesandoutperformnotonlyfromtheislands,but fromtherestof increase thecultivationofvine,whichmeansthatwecancontinue tomake into othersectors.Thisisanotheroneofthechallengesthis government: to grandparents andparentsmighthavehadvineyards,butthechildren havegone of watershortagesduetodraught,aswellthegenerationalissueswhere There has been a lot of abandonment of the vineyards in El Hierro, both because Islands. Whatarethepossibilitiesofdeveloping thisactivity? In November ElHierro hostedtheIVAgroWine Tourism MeetingoftheCanary public sector. can dobetterthanpublicinstitutions,buttheyalwaysneedthesupportof issue ofsustainability, climatechangeopensmanydoorstonewcompaniesthat or restorationsbutalsointheareaoftechnologicaldevelopment.Throughoutthis Many thingshaveoccurredtous,notonlyattheleveloftouristaccommodation

Q&A 3 2012 2,000 80% 8 CANARIAN ISLANDS CONTRIBUTION TOGDP SERVICES THE TERTIARYSECTOR PEOPLE EMPLOYED IN BIOSPHERE RESERVE DESIGNATED AUNESCO SMALLESTOF THE rd

La Gomera Council facts CASIMIRO CURBELO President example, foryears nowouragriculturaland sector oftheeconomy tolightindustry. For other activitiesthatrangefrom the primary small andmediumenterprisesto engagein source ofincome,wehaveencouraged development. Althoughtourism isourmain follow differentstrategiesinterms ofits La Gomera’sattributesallowusto development? socioeconomic generating further What areyourprioritiesintermsof able topreserveitsenvironment. success ofthisislandcomesfromhavingbeen damaging oursurroundings.Infact,the displays it,developingtheislandwithout in theislandadaptstolandscapeand now saferandsmoother. Theroadnetwork As farasinternalconnectivity, ourroadsare reality today. the keystepsforustoenjoyaverydifferent Tenerife. Changingthesefactorswasamong and ahalftoconnectusLosCristianosin ferries atthattimetookmorethananhour were justbeginningtobuildtheairport.The In 1991,airconnectivitydidn’texist;we development oftheisland. have givenabigpushtothesocioeconomic our traditions,cultureandheritage,butwe things havechanged.We’ve carefullykept The essenceremainsthesame,butmany island nowto whenyoutook office? would youcomparethe La Gomera since1991.How You have beenPresidentof

THE GREEN PEARL OF THE CANARY ISLANDS careful planning, takinginconsiderationthe economy, sowenurturethesectorthrough some segments.It’stheengineof thelocal GDP, withover2,000 peopleemployedin represents morethan80%ofthe island’s The servicessector, includingtourism, to theisland’s economy? What isthecontributionoftourism needed todevelopithere. energy, andwehaveallthenaturalresources come fromservicesthatuserenewable buildings. We knowthatprogressherewill self-sufficiency intermsofenergy forpublic of electricalvehiclesandtheattainment wind farmsintheisland,greateruse strategy thatincludesthecreationoffive of renewables.We havedevelopedagreen horizon fordevelopmentwiththegrowth But withoutadoubt,thereisnew exporting theirproductstoothercountries. thirty companiesworkinginthissectorand source ofincomeandjobs.Thereareover agro-industrial productshavebecomeagood impact inournatural environment. sustainability has evolved,limitingthehuman development. Aneconomythat guarantees always followedthismodelofeconomic Almost unwittingly, inLaGomerawehave the so-called“blueeconomy”? What strategy doyoufollowto develop initiatives. to ecologicalagricultureandsimilar interested instartingnewprojectsconnected will takeover—especiallytheyoungpeople and guaranteeingthatthenextgenerations increasing thecompetitivityofourproducts and industrialproduction,whichmeans goal istoreactivateareasofagricultural and lightindustryaregrowing.The less thantourism,buttheprimarysector They alreadydo.It’struethattheycontribute to economicgrowth? Can othersectors contributesignificantly development andsustainability. symbiosis thathasalwaysexistedbetween island. to anyinvestorready tobringideasthatcanimprove andkeepdevelopingthe a smallbusinessorcommittoinnovation intheservicessector. We areopen it’s alsotruethatmanyinvestors choosetheislandasafilmlocation,tostart investment thathasalotofpotential inLaGomera.It’snoteasytogethere,but I mentionedrenewableenergybefore. Thisisanexampleofthetype What typeofinvestmentismost attractive inLaGomera? becoming moreandcommon—andthereisthepossibility ofgrowththere. of smallerhotelsandholidayhomes,togetherwithruraltourism, whichis bypassed thebig-hotel-chainmodel.We insteadhaveencouragedthe building over time.We arepartoftheso-calledGreenIslands,whosedevelopmenthas to acertainextent,andwhichhavemarkedthedevelopmentof thissector Our islandhassomelimitationsduetoitstopography, whichalsolimittourism can keepgrowing here? Considering yourcommitmentto sustainability,doyoubelieve tourism to keepourislandsustainableandgreen. Furthermore, weofferacomprehensiverecyclingservicethataddstoourefforts Since then,we’veinvestedover€3millionintheseterraces. terraces risingtothehillsandmountainsensureintegrityofcropareas. IV ITLAWorld CongressofTerraced Landscapes,withtheaimofrecovering ecosystem, aswellourcroplands.For example,lastyearwecelebratedthe However, inrecentyearswe’vetakenfurtherdecisionstopreserveour

Q&A +700,000 + 22,000 370 VISITORS ANNUALLY POPULATION SQUARE KILOMETERS NATURALLY MARÍA ISABEL La Gomera Council

Tourism Councilor MAGICAL ALMENARA facts MÉNDEZ island changes so it has a different energy at island changesso ithasadifferentenergyat depending onthe timeofyearyoucome,the product: Health&Wellbeing. Apartfromthat, We havecomeoutwithanewtourism of tourists do youhopeto attract? products youareofferingnow, andwhat type Which arethe newactivities andtourism that phrase. inspired bynature,sowewantedtogoback goes down,youfeelthemagic.Themagicis the nationalparkwatchingmistassun accurately reflectsourisland.Whenyou’rein into ournewstrategybecausewethinkit and magic”.We wantedtogetthisideaback magical”. Overtenyearsago,itwas“Nature We havechangedthe sloganto“Naturally change? Can youexplainthestrategy behindthis You have anewslogan,beginningin2020. considering wehavesuchwonders. easy toconvincepeoplecomeandseeit, When Itraveltopromotetheisland,it’s that reachthesea. Gomera thereareoldwoodsofSpanishjuniper plantations inEurope.InthenorthofLa interesting townsandthegreatestpalm-tree We havenumerousvalleyswithvery intangible culturalheritagebytheUNESCO. a whistledlanguagewhichisalsolistedas biosphere reserve.We havethesilbogomero, the wholeislandandseaarounditarea forests, whichisaWorld HeritageSite.Almost have anationalparkwithpre-historiclaurel like amicrocontinentwithlotofassets.We Our islandissmall,butatthesametimeit unique”. What makesLaGomera unique? The last sloganofLaGomera was:“Feel nature, pristineand pure. We areawarethatourgreatestasset isour maintain acleanislandandsea. car, sotheseoutingsonboatsareimportant to beaches inourislandwhichyou can’taccessby brought totheshoresbysea. Thereare beaches topickupalltheplastic andmaterials finance themtogooutonaboatthe They arevolunteers,buteverymonthwe conscious EuropeanswholiveinLaGomera. AGLAYMA whichismadeupofsocially beautiful projectwithanassociationcalled plastic intheoceans.We participatedina Apart fromthat,weareworriedaboutthe durable. means usingtheplasticforsomethingmore use themforcomputerorphoneparts,which And thenwesendthattoHollandsotheycan get backplasticbags—almostatonofthem. made fromecologicalpapertobusinessesand An exampleisthedistributionof80,000bags contributes bycreatingprogramsandprojects. The teaminchargeoftourismpolicies for us. keep reachingthistypeoftouristisapriority respect sustainablevaluesinLaGomera,soto improving iteachday. We wanttouristswho we needtokeeppreservingourislandand We don’twantourvaluestochange,so tourism sustainable? Islands. What isLaGomera doingto keep Sustainability isessential to the Canary home. their mindsandbodiesbeforeheadingback the idealplaceforthosewhowanttorecharge spa treatments,andenjoyvegancooking.It’s stay longeranddoyoga,meditation,different We alsoofferactivitiesforthosewhowantto year round. grown papaya,bananaandpassionfruit,all is basedonecologicalproductslikehome- This touristalsoenjoysourgastronomy, which comes everyyeartoLaGomeradohiking. beach. AngelaMerkelisoneofthepeoplewho two orthreehourslateratasmall,isolated and startswalkingatthenationalpark,ending It’s atouristwholovesnatureandlikeshiking, and fifty, althoughwegetpeopleofallages. emphasis onpeoplebetweentheagesofforty Gomera ismostlyfromEurope,withan So theprofileoftouristthatcomestoLa said thatthereisaspecialenergyhere. of CancerandtheTropic ofCapricorn,anditis different times.We liejustbetweentheTropic authentic islandof unique traditions ancient forests & hiker’s paradise La Gomera isa A rugged& AWORLD AWAY

LA GOMERA: J oped its own one-of-a-kind gastronomy, includ- rest ofthearchipelago,LaGomerahasdevel- make the island unique. Long isolated from the It isnotonlyLaGomera’snaturalwondersthat before thecomingoflasticeage. that coveredtheentireMediterraneanregion land, itisoneofthelastremnantsjungle some 15 square miles in the center of the is- most unique ecosystems in Europe. Covering this subtropical laurelrainforestis one of the A UNESCOWorld HeritageSitesince1986, est ofGarajonayNationalPark. walk throughtheancientandmagicalrainfor- Gomera’s dramaticmountainsceneryandto hikers, whotravelherefromafartoexploreLa The circular, volcanic island is a paradise for daunting cross-Atlantic passage. sea, manyofthemonyachtsembarkingthe most visitors stillmaketheirwaytoLaGomeraby airport, island’s the to flights national journey of1492.To thisday, withnointer- Columbus madehislaststoponhistoric land’s capitalandmainport,thatChristopher It was in San Sebastiande la Gomera, the is- search ofanewworld. has long been popular with travelers in Canaria, thesmallislandofLaGomera ust ashortdistancetothewestofGran mental protectionandconservation,”hesays. sustainable andaglobalpioneerinenviron- “I wantLaGomeratobeanislandthatis100% ing points for electric vehicles across the island. wind andsolarpowertoimplementcharg- also overseeingeffortstoattractinvestmentsin belo, the president of the island’s council, is ority for the local government. Casimiro Cur- cultural richesforgenerationstocomeisapri- The preservationofLaGomera’snaturaland miles. to able exchange messagesatdistancesofuptotwo still today users proficient with leys, to communicateacrosstheisland’sdeepval- ish arrived, inhabitants developed the system called own extraordinary whistled language, the so- Most famously, LaGomeraisalsohometoits ed fromlocalpalmtrees. miel depalma,asyrupmadefromsapharvest- ing suchdelightsasalmogrote el silbogomero.LongbeforetheSpan- cheese paste and cheese pasteand through challenging TURBULENT MARKET market conditions Binter are piloting transport sector airlines suchas the islands’ air Fast-growing NAVIGATINGIN A SUCCESSFULLY A three operatingbasesontheislands. rope’s largestlow-costcarrier, decidedtoclose British Airways andIberia.Finally, Ryanair, Eu- of Air Europa by IAG, the parent company of Thomas Cook was followed bythe acquisition the sector. The collapse of British travel giant Last year, three eventscast a shadow over tourism industry. air transport forthecontinued health ofthe the Canary Islands rely heavilyon some 300 miles from east to west, of peninsular Spain and stretching thousand miles to the south-west BINTER: purchase ofAir Europa. and theCanary Islands whenitcompletes its Spain peninsular between flights reduce not it will that confirmed has Iberia Meanwhile, and Ryanair. stepping into the void leftbyThomas Cook matically expanded its presence in the market, for their efforts when British carrier Jet2dra- At the end of the year, the islands were repaid connectivity.” government. “We willalwaysguaranteeour for tourism, industry and trade in the regional nies are here,” said Yaiza Castilla, the councilor tivity oftheCanary Islands, whichevercompa “We wanttomaintain or improve the connec- incentives todelivernewinternationalroutes. with airlines from across Europe andoffered contacts their up stepped officials government highest priorities. To replacelostcapacity, has been one of the regional government’s Navigating this perfect storm in air transport for yearstocome. remain at the center of the global travel map was emphatic, ensuring that the islands will nectivity. Theresponsefromlocalauthorities ened tourism revenues and inter-island con- the region’sair transport sector theythreat- As thesemenacing conditions gathered over - ating the latest generation of jets,” del Castillo “This airplane turns Binter into a carrier oper- Islands and oninternationalroutestoAfrica. Canary the between flights internal sion, model on low-noise Embraer E195-E2 low-emis- the flying row.is each Binter tween braer, each with 132 seats and ample space be- jets from Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Em- en delivery of the first of five new fuel-efficient day in 2019, is increasing its fleet and has tak- The company, whichcelebratedits30thbirth- Binter’s ChairmanandCEO. more flights,” says Pedro del Castillo Machado, the in Canary Islands, Binter will most likely have flights their stops Europa Air “When the void. local carrier BinterCanarias is stepping into from the inter-island market, long-established Furthermore, whileAirEuropaisretreating only fortourism, butfortheoverallmarket. connectivity, this is good news for 2020 not In a market that is so heavilydependenton ards.” sengers with great service and excellent stand - go, Binter aims to continue providing our pas- Castillo says. “On all our flights, wherever they del Africa,” to flights of number the creasing “As demandincreases, wearegraduallyin- routes totheAfrican continent. operations, Binter is steadily ramping up its the Canary Islands asahubforWest African increasing numbers of multinationals using new isadding routes topeninsular Spain and beyond. With Binter expands, fleet its As inter-island flightsandinternationalroutes.” connectivity of theCanary Islands withboth sue our main objective, which is to improve the says. “The Embraerpurchase will helpuspur -

AVIATION 11 INTERNATIONAL 5 IN SPAIN & 8 IN THE CANARIES 24 destinations E195-E2 5 Embraer 3.6 million 1,500 220 PASSENGERSIN 2018 EMPLOYEES DAILY FLIGHTS TO FLEET RECENTLY ADDED President &CEO PEDRO DEL facts MACHADO

CASTILLO

Binter current jets. current of our range travel double the they of it, top on And, savings. huge had have we will year a within that means This system. engine new due their to jets, regular our than fuel less 20% around consuming efficient more much are They airplanes. Embraer new the on able rely to be soon way, the weBy will it. cover to grow will fleet Binter’s grows, demand this when And inconveniences. any avoid to disposal passengers’ at these flights more have likely most will Binter Islands, Canary the in flights their stops Europa Air When another. to island one from fly to want who passengers from demands the meet to is objective main Binter’s this? from profit Binter can How Canaries. the in here flights inter-islands its stop will it that announced recently Europa Air before. it was as be will everything months, four to three within that Ibelieve Therefore, here. come to wanted that those for service provide and flights their cover to fleet using started and Cook Thomas by left void the filling started companies other as vanished pessimism by, went days this the However, as pessimism. alot of with seen was flights of their absence the beginning, very the At airplanes? Cook’s Thomas of absence the with face sector the will Islands. What challenges sector in the Canary few changes in the tourism a provoke will bankruptcy Cook Thomas The

SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE AIR TRAVEL market for three years now and although although now and years three for market Verdean Cape the in present We been have Africa. to fly workers the and here, live families and workers their here, present are multinationals some Nowadays, demand. to according number in growing are continent the to flights our gradually and Africa to routes our we started that, after So, right possible. be it wouldn’t connectivity, air or flights weren’t there if that showed research of the results The operations. African their for office main their as islands the use to meaning, Africa, in business doing start to wanted that multinationals those for platform economic and geostrategic a become could Islands Canary the if see to in, part took Binter which ago, out 15 years carried was research Some statement? this on view your is What market. African the to pad launch a as seen often are Islands Canary The efficiently. and comfortably another to island one from fly can they so transport top-quality and reliable safe, provide to Islands Canary the of people the all to commitment our It is them. afford can people and abusive, not are they so flights inter-islands the for tickets of the prices the sets law This abide. must islands the between flying companies all alaw is there obligations) service (public Público” Servicio de “Obligaciones of the part as and Correct, here. important quite is flying inter-islands So everything. almost holidays, on travel errands, run a work meeting, attend hospital, the to go family, visit to used are They peninsula. (Iberian) the on atrain or a bus take would one as planes takes population the Islands, Canary the in Here, archipelago. an in important extremely are Flights another. to island one from travel to wants who anyone of but those needs, islanders’ the only not we cover sure make to We want Canaries. the in here flights inter-islands our especially flights, our all on standards excellent with service great To providing continue 2020? for priority main your is What Islands. Canary the in name ahousehold become 2019 has and in anniversary 30th its celebrated Binter makes us more aware of the need to take take to need of the aware more us makes of islanders condition The environment. the on leaving we were mark the about worry to began we at ago, Binter Years sustainable transport? more demand that movements social latest the face company your does How increase. demands as growing it is small, still is operation the African market, you can do it from here. here. do it from can you market, African the enter to like would you if especially abusiness, establish to or holidays one’s spend to place agreat It is it. overlook shouldn’t they And discovered. be to yet aplace is Islands Canary the Americans, especially people, For many readers? our tell to like you would what And product. upmarket and diverse amore offer then and sites and facilities tourist some modernize to need they Ithink First, sector? tourism the in place taking see to like you would strategy short-term Which service. on-board the from plastics single-use eliminated We considerably. also have consumption on down cuts which equipment, latest and newest the it with replace to we try means, physical by or technology by either possible, isn’t machinery electrical where cases In machinery. electrical to out equipment changing by equipment ground the renewed also have we fleets, youngest of the one able boast to being to addition In affect? they do areas more what fleet, the to only limited not are policies sustainability your that I understand part. one only is But that acquired. we have E195-E2 that 5Embraer of the three have already we will mid-2020 by and arrived just have will radio short the for we bought that 600 18 2021 72- ATR the In pollution. less cause that and we have of route type the to adapt best that models airplane with fleet our renewing in ofa lot money invested we have years recent In activity. of our impact the reduce to gradually working been we’ve perspective, that From ours. like territories fragmented and remote for essential is transport air that but also environment, of the care

Q&A an information society public universities are new industries, build opportunities on the on the opportunities of the Canary Islands tourism, the region’stourism, the While the economyWhile the & create diversified helping to develophelping to islands &across the high-performing dependent on remains highly wider region employment W Higher Education supplement. supplement. Education Higher Times of The Rankings Young University the in and Consultancy Ranking Shanghai the by organized Top Young Universities 200 of the list the in position its improving by year 30th its celebrated 2019In ULPGC the nary Islands. Ca of the development social and economic the in role a fundamental playing is (ULPGC) Canaria de Gran Palmas de Las Universidad the students, of 20,000 excess in and teams 115 people, 1,648 research than of more ty KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY

and Fuerteventura, afacul Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote on each one and Canaria Gran on four ing includ campuses, six ith www.ull.es humanities &engineering. doctorate programs inareas such asexperimental, of health,social sciences, range a & degrees master’s degrees, undergraduate oﬀ several It ers towards buildingabetter society for all. in teaching, researchknowledge & transfer as partof itscommitment The Universidad de LaLaguna has continually aspired towards excellence XELNE N EDUCATION IN EXCELLENCE - - - BUILDING THE back much longer, but the mission and vision vision and mission longer, but the much back dates institution of the history the (ULL), na Lagu de La Universidad at the Tenerife, In omy.” econ the transform and Islands Canary of the competitiveness the improve to helping is that innovation and knowledge produce “We says. Dr. Robaina development,” economic and of growth driver important an is ULPGC “The Spain. all in lowest of the one is graduates ULPGC for rate unemployment the employed; currently are 92% 2016, than more in at ULPGC studies their completed who people Of Robaina. Dr. Rafael dean, current the for priority akey is market employment the in of students prospects the Enhancing - - are very conscious of our geostrategic role,” geostrategic of our conscious very are we and university Atlantic an is Laguna “La region. wider the but in lands Is Canary the in only not development for a driver as role institution’s the reinforcing is and university of the internationalization the prioritized has Aguilar, Rosa ULL, of the dean current The governments. and universities African with ties international close built also has ULL the program, Erasmus the on dents stu European for destination apopular Long Palma. La and Tenerife on students including people, 20,000 than of more population a student has versity Uni the Laguna, de La Cristóbal of San city historic 1792 in the Founded in same. the are - - - projects is a guarantee that the future looks good for these innovative islands. islands. innovative these for good looks future the that aguarantee is projects research-based and universities the between synergy The too. ULL with partner a is world and the in observatories international best of the two runs which Canaries the in astrophysics for institute the at IAC, time spending be may you astrophysics, in adegree for Studying UPLGC. the by started were of which both park, technological scientific PCT,the the or program development nomic & eco tourism sustainable the at TIDES, working experience can you tourism sustainable studying While field. their in experts who accomplished are fessors of pro guidance the work under research real-life with involved are Students a few. name to diseases, of tropical study the and biology marine astrophysics, within are universities Canarian these from emerging degrees popular and dynamic most of the Examples projects. community with are universities these invested how heavily is university research a public of attending advantages of the One face.” we all that challenges common the tackle to cooperate to and countries other in partners with knowledge share to time the is “Now says. she Quality Education for All • • SeveralSeveral science&technology science&technology parks,intended parks,intended asan asan • • CertificateCertificate of of excellence excellence inmaritime inmaritime research, research, from from • • Six campuses acrossSix campuses across theCanaryIslandswhichpass theCanaryIslandswhichpass • Undergraduate degrees &master’s degrees in environment to foster thegrowth of new businesses the Spanishministryfor education in 2010 the benefits of itsresearch onto thelocalcommunity legal sciences,architecture &engineering science, arts&humanities, healthsciences,social& environment to foster thegrowth of new businesses the Spanishministryfor education in 2010 the benefits of itsresearch onto thelocalcommunity legal sciences,architecture &engineering science, arts&humanities, healthsciences,social& www.ulpgc.es - - EDUCATION 1,695 23,000 +50 45 1792 BACHELOR’S DEGREES YEAR FOUNDED PROFESSORS STUDENTS PHD PROGRAMS

of La Laguna(ULL) ROSA MARÍA Rector, University facts AGUILAR solve the problems and challenges. solve theproblems andchallenges. community that these solutionsarethebestto new solutions,andexplaintothe restofthe challenges thatitposes,howthey havetofind and facingtheworldproblems and help studentsdiscoveranewway ofseeing professor asaresearcher. Teachers also but alsoreceivetheskillsdevelopedby engineering, psychology, amongothersubjects, who notonlyreceivetrainingineconomics, are theoneswhoteachandtrainourstudents, of internationalcontacts.Theseresearchers competitive projectsandwithgoodnetworks Our facultyareexcellentresearcherswith have campusesontheeightdifferentislands. (ULPGC) andUniversityLaLaguna(ULL), University ofLasPalmas deGranCanaria community isimportant.Thetwouniversities, 40,000 students,whichiswhythestudent which complementeachother, haveabout The twopublicCanarianuniversities, today toachievetheirobjectives. But theyneedstableandsufficientfinancing the CanaryIslandsmuchmoresustainable. Canarians, andthatwillallowustomake value totheeducationandtrainingofyoung entire community. Theygiveexceptional education bymerit,allowingaccesstothe use tomakesurethatpeoplehaveaccess The publicuniversitiesarethetoolsthatwe university inthearchipelago? the Canaries,asnewdeanofoldest educationin tertiary the currentstateof How doyousee

UNIVERSITY OF LA LAGUNA WHERE EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH IS A PRIORITY We areincontactwiththerestof world The Canariesare anexceptionalplacetolive. researchers? Are theCanariesanattractive placefor knowledge inthefaceofcurrent challenges. to havemoreknowledge,generate new be thegoal.Thegoalisforustotrainmore, take aweektoresolve.Buttechnologycannot solve problemsinminutesthatbeforecould Now, withourcellphones,weareableto of theories,justtonameafewthebenefits. certain analyzes,facilitatetheunderstanding research, shortenthetimeittakestoperform researcher whowillbeabletodevotevalue by removingroutinetasks,theysupportthe they helpuswiththeadministrativepart communicate andautomatemanyprocesses, The newtechnologieshelpustobetter have tochangethewaywereachourstudents. So wehavetoadaptthenewstudentand you areabletoseepersecondhasincreased. differently. Infact,thenumberofimagesthat act differentlysotheyhavetobetaught were before,theycommunicate,thinkand Students todayaredifferentfromwhatthey universities andresearch? Are newtechnologiesinfluencingpublic are beingdeveloped. ability toadaptthenewprofessionsthat more fruitfulprofessionallifebecauseoftheir private universities,theydohaveamuch to findtheirfirstjobthanstudentsfrom capacity that,althoughitwillcostthemmore means thatourstudentshaveanadaptive to theresearchprocesses.Thisaddedvalue an addedvaluebecauseteachingislinked concrete subject.Publicuniversitieshave of studyingandtheirprofessorsteachone Private universitiesignoretheresearchaspect education asopposedto private universities? What isthebiggestadvantage to public continue livingonthisplanet. if wewanttobesustainable, and itincludesresearchthatisfundamental everyone canaccessit,itmakesusallequal, exceptional tooltochangetheworldbecause in thepublicuniversity. Ithinkitisan In summary, asIjustsaid,firmlybelieve sustainability, thecultureofpeace,andmore. working valuessuchasequality, socialjustice, and debate;weareverycommittedto The publicuniversityisresearch,culture shipping tradecoexist withmarinelife. with FredOlsen shippingcompanythe marine mammals.We alsohave anagreement American militaryforradarswhen studying the forefront.We havecontractswiththe islands andinmarinebiologywe arein Correct. Blueeconomyisimportant forthe department. ULL isalsoknownforitsmarinebiology here makesuskey. isolate andinvestigatethesetypeofdiseases between Africa andEurope, beingableto among otherthings,becauseweareabridge studied. Obviouslymosquito-bornediseases, researchers. Differentlinesofresearchare The Tropical DiseasesInstitutealsohasgreat every monthwehaveapublicationinNature. considered leadersinthisfieldandpractically research projects,ithasgrown.Today weare we haveanditscompetitiveinternational thanks totheresearchers,contactnetworks department startedasaverysmallinstitutebut in thefieldofastrophysics.Theastrophysics The skywehavemakesusexceptionaltowork most internationalrecognition. Canary Islandsaretheonesthathave and theInstituteofAstrophysics The UniversityInstituteofTropical Diseases ones? important here atULL.Whataresomeofthemost There are13universityresearch institutes in Madrid. And withintwoandahalfhoursyoucanbe with anextraordinarycommunicationsystem. the productionof scientificandquantitativeinformation. very efficientwith thelittlemoneywehave,with animpressivetrackrecordin above average,despitenotgetting asmanyfundsotheruniversities.We are ULL isagreatresearchuniversity. Inuniversityrankings,weare alwaysrated How wouldyouliketo introduce ULLto ourreaders? new problems.Thatisthedifference. abstraction thatallowstoself-form, becausetheyknowhowtofindsolutions to is educationthroughoutlife,whiletheuniversitystudentshave acapacityfor apprentices havetodosomethingdifferent,theyneedberetrained, which someone whoteacheshimselftodosomethingconcrete.Those thatopttobe capacity forabstractionthattheuniversitystudentacquires,compared to field, it’sjustasimportant.Certainly, forme,thedifferenceliesbetweenthat If whatyouwanttodoandyourskillsaremoreconnecteda professional University educationorprofessional formation? changing, whichisverydynamicandglobal. and thecapacityforabstractiontorespondneedsofafuture worldthatis very specificformation.Whatwehavetoteachthestudentsisbasicknowledge that makesthemmuchmoreemployablethansomeonewhogoesdirectlytoa company intwomonths,stays.Becausetheyhavethatcapacityofabstraction who leavesanyULLclassrooms,whentheyaregivenspecifictrainingforthe because wearenottraining the studentsforhis or hercompany. Butanystudent I believethatwhenabusinesspersonsayswedonotadapttoreality, itis matter? enough attentionto thedemandsofmarket.Whatareyourthoughtson The private sector criticizeseducation, sayingthateducationdoesn’t pay

Q&A 12 13 22,000 1989 STUDENTS YEAR ESTABLISHED RESEARCH INSTITUTES FACULTIES Palmas deGran Canaria Universidad deLas DR. RAFAEL facts ROBAINA ROMERO (ULPGC) Rector University ofLa Laguna(ULL)inTenerife, Palmas deGranCanaria (ULPGC) andthe Both universities,theUniversity ofLas overall to society? available intheCanary islandscontribute educationsystem How doesthetertiary administrative staff. of teachers,researchers,studentsand the fivecontinentstofacilitatemobility signed agreementswithuniversitiesfrom levels areofferedonline.TheULPGChas a widerangeofcoursesatalllearning Degrees andMasterprogramsaswell We arealeadinguniversity ine-learning. among membersofthecommunity. respect fordiversityandtheenvironment solidarity, socialjustice,genderequality, and academic learning,promotingvaluessuchas cultural andsportsactivitiestocomplement the Canariancommunityawiderangeof tourism &economicstonameafew. Itoffers technology, humanities,renewableenergy, such asmarinescience,climatechange, 12 researchinstitutesworkingonsubjects very modernfacilitieswith13facultiesand university withallkindsofdegrees.We have expanded tobeacomprehensiveandgeneral first createdasapolytechnicschoolandthen with 1,500lecturersandresearchers.Itwas today hasmorethan22,000studentsalong The Universitywascreatedin1989and (ULPGC)? University ofLasPalmas deGran Canaria Can yougiveusabriefhistory ofthe

ULPGC: DEVELOPING HUMAN CAPITAL did mypost-doctorate. sciences. Llastly, IwenttoCalifornia whereI Canaria foradoctoratedegreein marine degree atULLandthenImoved toGran time therewasnoULPGC.Igot mybachelor’s I studiedbiologyinLaLagunabecause atthat Did youstudyhereattheULPGC? ambitious program. and thiscourseoffersaverycomplete all overtheworldtocomeandstudyhere leaders inthisfield. We attractstudentsfrom Marine scienceisoneofthemandweare at theULPGC? What arethemostsought-afterdegreeshere of bluebiotechnologyandaquaculture. initiative hereinGranCanariatocreateahub technologies andhascreatedBioasis,an government believesstronglyinthese both infishandalgaeaquaculture.The We haveaninstitutefocusedonaquaculture renewable energy, totheocean,fishing. Anything relatedtotheblueeconomyfrom developed intheCanariesyouropinion? tourism. Whatsectors have potentialto be You mentionedtheneedto dependlesson Islands. Canary the for development of economic fields new establish society help We to need industry. tourism the on solely depend not we do that so model economic our improve able to be we will that doing By society. to knowledge of transferring method our improve to be will challenge next Now our good teachersandstaffback. by gettingmorefundstobeableattractthe improve thesituation.Thewaytodosowas and administrativestaff, sowe’vehadto had atollonhumanresources,bothteachers We wentthroughaneconomiccrisis,which dean oftheULPGC? What hasbeenyourbiggestchallengeas especially intermsofresearchandpatents. certainly contributetotheCanariansociety 30 yearsofexistencewecannowsaythat Government oftheCanaryIslandssoafter Quality Award forPublicServicefromthe A fewyearsago,theULPGCwon our economy. knowledge transferwhichcanlaterbenefit islands intermsofknowledgeproductionand are instrumentsforthedevelopmentof

‘hirable’ oncehefinisheshisorherstudies. The studentneedstobesomeonewhowill get ajobwhentheygraduatefromuniversity. students togettheknowledgetheyneed think weneedtoestablishanewwayforthe this lineofthinkinghereinmyuniversity. I States asfarIknow, soIwanttoestablish program. ThisisquitenormalintheUnited and theydecidetheirownknowledge To makesurethatthestudentisourfocus today? What wouldyousayareyourtop priorities shipping, technology &renewables. over theworldfor generations.We can certainlybeahubformany thingssuchas We areaveryopen-mindedsocietyandwehavebeen welcomingpeoplefromall What wouldyoulikepeople to knowaboutthe Canary Islands? diagnosis ofconditionssuchasskin cancer. institutes, thereisateamworking onthedevelopmentofthesedevicesfor Robots willtakesomehumanjobsinthefuture.Inadivision ofoneour need toteachourstudentsthatitwillbeevenmoreimpactfulinthefuture. transformation areallaffectingeverysingledegreefromlawtomedicine andwe Today artificial intelligence(AI),BigData,robots,digitalsocietyand important. the firstyearofdegreecourse.Oure-learningstrategyisbecomingincreasing and mayalsotakespecificharmonizationcoursesforthemost difficult subjectsin ULPGC studentsreceivesupportforon-siteclassesthroughthee-trainingplatform New technologieshavesubstantiallyimpactedtheeducationsyst em everywhere. How are the newtechnologies affectingthe ULPGC? Africa becauseweareverycloseandalsounderstandeachother. Africa isabigcontinent,sowedecidedtoworkcloselywiththenorthernpartof network istoconnectEuropethenorthernpartofAfrica soweactasabridge. Northwest Africa andMacaronesiathatwascreatedin2017.Themainaimofthis of Africa. We arecurrentlydevelopinganetwork,theUniversityNetworkof universities worldwidebutnowwearemainlyfocusingonthenorthernpart Yes, particularlyfromMoroccoandMauritania.We havesomeagreementswith lot ofAfrican students too? The Canariesisoften seenasthe linkbetween Europe andAfrica. Doyouget a

Q&A Canary Islands have crossroadsof three maritime tradition a richandstoried positioned at positioned the continents, the Strategically T markets firmly in its sights. In recent years, the naria, also knownas La Luz Port, has African The deepwaterPort of Las Palmas on Gran Ca- embarking onanewperiodofgrowth. alization, innovation and sustainability while Islands is investing intensively in internation maritime and shipping industry of the Canary nomic development ofAfrica accelerate, the Now, astheglobalization of tradeandtheeco- ships inthe19thandearly20thcenturies. coaling stations served askeyformerchant vessels heading to andfrom the Americas and the islandsbecamepopularports ofcallfor on his epic journey to the New World. Later here stop final his made famously Columbus

sheltered shores, while Christopher onthese anchorage safe find would explorers and Roman merchants housands of yearsago,Phoenician OFMID-ATLANTIC THE HPIG HUB SHIPPING - logistics services. Onlywehavethecapacity ty toexpandourbunkering, ship repair and offshore presents uswith a majoropportuni lantic. of theWestThe development African tant strategic centerfor repairs in the mid-At- of LasPalmas. “Our portisbecoming animpor Betancort, thepresidentofPort Authority forms and offshorevessels,”saysLuis Ibarra Palmas dedicated exclusivelytorepairing plat- “We haveopened a quay in the Port of Las tages enjoyedbytheislands. with EU membership and the tariff-free advan- workforce, the political stability that comes certified and qualified a with combined quire, full rangeofmaritime services thattheyre- only theCanaries can offer multinationals the ters of the West African offshore. In the region, energy companies operating in the oil-rich wa- island has emerged as a major supply basefor - -

Logistics Operator Customs Broker Port Agency alfaship.agency velopment. velopment. de- area have a lot of potential for further the platforms currently operating in the as theprovision to ofoffshoreservices and gas,coldstorage, bunkeringaswell repair, oil logistic and maritime transport, the island. Several activities such as naval ued by companies already operating on ized talent are aspects that are highly val- providing and attracting foreignspecial- and the possibility of specialized services this strategic sector. The qualityoflocal for the development of great opportunity and their level of maturity represent a positioning oftheCanaryIslandsports 45,000 related workers. The geostrategic of GDP and 6.1% of GVA, with more than rect activity in the Canary Islands, 7.4% The blueeconomyrepresents7% ofdi-

MARITIME be able to service vessels up to 320 meters long and with a deadweight of up to 100,000 tons. The project will enable the shipyard to

provide services to the giant cruise ships that MARITIME regularly ply the waters around the Canary Is- lands. The dock is expected to start operating in around 2022. The investment will deliver the shipyard with a massive leap in capacity and turn the Port of Las Palmas into the largest in the region, explains Astican president Germán Suárez Calvo. “We will double our volume of activity while increasing our surface area by just 15%. Aver- age revenues per vessel will rise from around €300,000 to as much as €1 million and we will be able to address the cruise ship repair market. We also expect to double our workforce.” At the same time as expanding its capacity, Astican is investing intensively in new digi- logistics services in ports across Spain. tal technologies to improve productivity and Just as in the shipyard business, investment in innovation will be key to the suc- increase the company’s competitiveness with cess of the new venture, Suárez Calvo says. “We will use cutting-edge technology shipyards in Africa, where labor costs are to deliver the best integrated logistics, storage and distribution services, with a lower. workforce of highly qualified professionals.” Meanwhile, Astican shareholder Germán This innovation-focused philosophy is followed not only by industrial companies Suárez Investments has teamed up with tug- and shipyards in the Canary Islands, but also by the archipelago’s extensive net- between Las Palmas and ports across western ging company Boluda to form a joint venture work of maritime services providers. Africa, making it the European port with the which will be based in Las Palmas and provide Since being established in Las Palmas just over 30 years ago, shipping agency highest number of connections to Africa. Reflecting the quality of services and the connectivity to Africa, the UN World Food Pro- gramme has chosen the port as the logistics base when responding to humanitarian crisis in West Africa. “We are continuously investing to improve our Passion for excellence competitiveness and to maximize the benefits of our connectivity with Africa,” Ibarra says. Privately owned maritime companies in the Canary Islands are also reaping the rewards of African growth. Located in the Port of Las Palmas, the Astican shipyard has established a unique partnership with Norwegian shipping giant Kongsberg to service the vessels of offshore customers in the region, carrying out specialist maintenance services on the engines of rigs and drillships. Repairs Combining the offshore expertise of Kongs- berg, which recently acquired Rolls-Royce’s and the skills to perform operations on all sizes commercial marine business, with Astican’s & Conversions of vessels, from yachts to supertankers.” deepwater quay and repair facilities, the ven- At the same time, Las Palmas has also become ture has helped position Las Palmas in the top a major hub for freight shipping between league for global ship repair and overhaul. South America, Africa and Europe and the Adding to an already-impressive range of fa- largest container port in the region. Almost cilities, Astican is now planning to construct astander.es astican.es 20 shipping lines operate regular routes now a €35 million dry dock at the site which will VISIT: ı

QUALITY HSE PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Anuncio_180x110_ASTICAN.indd 1 4/2/20 16:47 ment from their commercial partners. With a presence in 10 ports across the region,

including Gibraltar, Algeciras and Ceuta, Al- MARITIME faship is also setting its sight on international expansion. “My plans for the future are to complete the digitalization of our group and to open a branch in an international port,” Castañeda says. “Alfaship wants to provide our clients all the main ports of the world with the high-quality digital services that today’s customers demand.” Meanwhile, shipping lines in the Canary Is- lands are carrying out a new wave of investments in technology to meet stringent environ- Alfaship’s commitment to quality and its personalized, round-the-clock service mental regulations, especially the new limit of have helped establish it as the clear market leader in services such as bunker 0.5% for the sulfur content of shipping fuel set operations and underwater cleaning. by the International Maritime Organization Continuous investment in technology and innovation differentiates the agency (IMO) at the beginning of the year. in a crowded and competitive market, says Alfaship’s managing director, Anto- As the regulation enters force, shipyard Astican nio Castañeda. “Our goal is to continue being at the forefront of innovation and has recorded a surge in demand for retrofits of to provide the latest technologies to the various departments of the group,” he environmentally friendly scrubbers, which re- explains. move sulfur oxides from a ship’s exhaust gases. Alfaship’s focus on digital services has helped it win business from some of the “The shipping industry is cleaning up its act and world’s largest and most advanced shipping companies, who are leaders in the is committed to achieving major reductions in implementation of new technologies and who expect the same degree of develop- CO2 emissions,” Suárez Calvo says. “We are strong supporters of the IMO 2020 lands. Naviera Armas, Spain’s largest ferry company since its acquisition of Tr- regulation,” says Antonio Armas Fernández, asmediterránea in 2017, is eliminating the use of single-use plastic from all its the chairman of Las Palmas-based shipping ships. line Naviera Armas. “We are investing in At the same time, the company is investing heavily in new vessels and onshore scrubbers for some ships to comply with the facilities. As well as acquiring a fast ferry which can reach a speed of 36 knots, new sulfur caps, while other vessels will be Naviera Armas has unveiled a state-of-the-art passenger and freight terminal in the NAVIERA ARMAS TRASMEDITERRÁNEA able to use low-sulfur fuel.” Port of Las Palmas. Costing €35 million, the new terminal is the largest investment Sustainability is becoming a prerequisite ever by a private company in a Spanish public port, helping position the Canary across the shipping industry of the Canary Is- Islands for a new chapter in their long and successful maritime story. Travel is much more than a destination...Shall we sail?

The Port of Las Palmas is the bridge between Europe, Africa & America and the most important port precinct in the Mid-Atlantic. First used by Christopher Columbus as a refuge for his boats, over Naviera Armas time it has become a commercial port providing quality services in cruise ships, bunkering, fishing, containers, naval repairs, freight & Trasmediterránea passengers. With state-of-the-art facilities and flexibility of services, Two shipping lines that come together, making it is a standout logistics center for international containers & cargo and is the leading fuel port in Spain, known as the “Atlantic’s fueling their combined fleet of 36 ships the most modern station”, for provisioning of ships, fishing, & naval repairs (offshore). and important in Europe. We link the main ports of four countries, and transport more than 5 million The Ports of Las Palmas take the issue of sustainability seriously passengers a year, making us the leading passenger and is constantly working on better and cleaner facilities. shipping operator in Spain. We are continuing to grow and extend our routes in order to offer you more destinations. Shall we sail? Ports of Las Palmas STRATEGIC LOGISTICS HUB

/ navieraarmas.com / (+34) 902 456 500 · trasmediterranea.com / (+34) 902 45 46 45 OF THE MID-ATLANTIC www.palmasport.es software. be guaranteed with the application of advanced ICT technologies and the automation of will competitiveness and Efficiency this. on depend sectors social and economic lands’ closer andcloser. communitymust beprepared for that challengesince theis- The port Transition 4.0 isalsoanimmediate objective towards asthe digital revolution Ports gets hub ofthe Mid-Atlantic. ble them to logistic progress asthe most important towards the consolidationofthe ports The management hasbeenworkingalongthose two lines,drawing upa road mapto ena- in and, addition, jointhe digital revolution alreadypresent inmanyEuropean ports. areas port three the of strengths the of flag the fly to strategy commercial a of boosting and definition the fromrange which challenges new facing are services, of sion provi- the and traffic cruise traffic, merchandise in results excellent the by endorsed tials ofLasPalmas, withasolidbackgroundLong andwellestablished,the Ports andcreden- A POWERFUL ECONOMIC CAPELLA HIERRO MOTOR OF THE CANARY ISLANDS Ports of LasPalmas BETANCORT LUÍS ÁNGEL Former Director SALVADOR IBARRA President supplying theislands’needs.Otherportsof islands sinceitismultifunctionalinroleof The Port ofLasPalmas istheheartof America. port ofcallontheeast-westlanestoSouth go fromEuropetoSouthAfrica andthefirst on thenorth-southcostalshippinglanesthat location. We areatanimportantwaypoint our goodsarrivebyship.Thesecondis obvious: weareanarchipelago,soallof important rolefortworeasons.Thefirstis Salvador CapellaHierro: Theyplayavery Islands?Canary the of development the in plays authority the that role socio-economic the is What 5ports. manages Palmas Las of Ports The Another project in theworksisexpansion production. container terminaltohelpoperation increase that inturn,willofferusprotection overthe dock toget400metersmore access are startingtheexpansionof Reina Sofía we willsoonneedmoredockspace, sowe SCH: With theportreaching90%occupancy, are facing in the coming years? you projects important most the are What out asaserviceport. apart fromAfrican portsandmakesusstand maintenance andcargotransfers.Thissetsus activities atthesametimesuchasrefueling, shipping companycancarryoutseveral guarantees itprovidestoourusers.A community becauseoftheservicesand Another veryimportantaspectisourport all typesofboats. more than14metersdeep,sowecanserve deep enoughmooringandchannels,Oursare ports stillrequirelargeinvestmentstodredge fuel, sowestillleadthepack.Mostofthose competition forcontainershipping,butnotin are beginningtodevelopandbecoming freight linestoAfrica. TheportsofAfrica We alsoareacontainerhub,providing32 it makesusthefirstportforfuelsupplies. liquids, containersorferries.Becauseofthis, in thecargoandactivitiestheyhandlesuchas the IberianPeninsula andEuropearespecific the waterandair. controlling, through sensors,thequalityof demanding inallactivitiesand we are the portwatersandcoast.We aremore to preventspillsandrunoffavoid polluting We haveinstitutedregulationsandguidelines accordance withverydemanding parameters. using themostadvancedtechnologiesin sure everythingthatisbeingdeveloped already puttingalotofeffortintomaking amount ofactivitieswehave.We are SCH: We haveaverycleanportforthe sustainable? more ports the make help to undertaken being are strategies What and thisisabigbonus. friendly, sincethemajorityofthemissailing, activities areverycleanandenvironmentally area againstthestorms.Thenautical-sporting space aswellgivingusagreaterprotected to expandthisareaofourportincrease destination portforpleasure,sowearegoing waters. We wanttocontinuebeinga who comefromEuropetoenjoyourpristine there isalotoftrafficfromsailingenthusiasts has. Regattas areheldhereregularlyand of thelargemarinathatcityLasPalmas In short,weseektocreateasustainableisland. but alwaysoptimizingourpossibilitiestothefullest. which minimizetheuseofaggregatesandconcrete.We aregrowingasneeded, more sustainable.For example,weusedrawertechniquestomakethedikes, out, weusethemeansandtechniquesthatconsumefewermaterials andare carefully. Theyarecarriedoutonlywhereitisneeded.Whenthey On ourend,forprojectsthatinvolveconstruction,weareplanningvery and stayinvestedinthem. have environmentalcontrols.Thishasmadecompaniesinstitutetheirownplans occur fortheenvironment.We alsohaveimportantbenefitsforcompaniesto we continuallydevelopplansforcontrolandmaintenance,sonodisasterwill addition, we are working on prevention. By working with our partner companies accordingly, thuspreventingitfromaffectingthecityorenvironment.In Today, technologyputsnewtoolsinourhandstodetectproblemsand act facts 5 OF LAS PALMAS BYPORTS THE PORTS MANAGED 180 +330 TO THE PORT OF LAS PALMAS CONTINENTSCONNECTED ARE PORTS ON THE FIVE EMPLOYEES

Q&A 10 2014 24/7 +30 YEARS OPERATING SERVICE AVAILABLE IS PRESENT IN SPAIN PORTSWHERE ALFASHIP SERVICES START CUSTOMS BROKERAGE

CASTAÑEDA facts ANTONIO Alfaship MD diversification that is not governed by governed not is that diversification optimum achieve to way One development. economic region’s the and population local the for opportunities employment new both secure to way optimal an is Diversification tourism? on less rely and economy Canarian the diversify to possible it Is change. to needs This acentury. half than more for business in been have players same the as sector, this in non-existent almost is entrepreneurship generations’ new the Also, insufficient. been have port the and city the link to efforts administration’s The society. Canarian the by known and recognized been not has importance port’s the Historically today? faces sector the challenge biggest the is What economy. regional the to contribution astronger for potential a definitely is There services. maritime for ecosystem afavorable created has infrastructures, port necessary of the development permanent the with together which, growth, general aprogressive to led has sector the in activity of intense Decades sea. by us reaches everything Practically lives. our world in maritime of the importance the us shows Everything of Percent Ninety book George’s Rose and maritime sector in your opinion? shipping the of potential the is year. What every economy regional the in weight more andPorts shipyards are gaining more and

LEADER IN THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY variations demanded by the logistics sector. logistics the by demanded variations different the to adapts that administration amodern finally, hub. And alogistic be to environment satisfactory avery create also competitiveness and sector of the knowledge high with staff infrastructure, local The lines. of shipping number considerable a and connections air and sea multiple we have Then, continents. hub between alogistic be to location perfect the is which located we are where area geographical the advantage agreat as dismiss We can’t investors. to foreign attractive is which structure production the diversify to and islands of the development social and economic of the promotion the for created zone alow tax is Zone) which Special Islands (the Canary ZEC the tax, EU best the offers currently Islands Canary The world? the in hubs logistics relevant most the of one be to archipelago the of advantages competitive the are What area. surrounding the in competition face to order in ports Islands Canary the all between collaboration and integration promote must Islands Canary of the government The city. of the parts different and port the between connectivity ensure to be would my opinion, in start, Agood sector. this out by carried initiatives commercial the more to support needs autonomous government The sector. private of the development continued the promote that policies responsible by level, regional at accompanied, be must but this situation, geographical aprivileged in certainly We are sector? development of the maritime and shipping the for done be to necessary is What tourism. on dependency the lessen would that sector our to related activities other develop we could Ithink transparency, legal and connectivity good territory, a European of part being as such aspects valuable that to we add If example. for excellence, par center repair anaval as positioned be to Islands Canary the allow already infrastructure, existing the plus routes, maritime main of the middle the in islands of the situation geostrategic the resources, human The companies. port with programs collaboration up intensive setting by be would circumstances, temporary customs. and logistics chartering, coverage, agency global offering integration vertical and ahorizontal for opt to ago couple of years a decided we have service, in standards quality our meet to order In level. national at agencies port representative most of the one and years, twelve last the for Islands Canary the in sector the in leaders been have We agency. aport being is activity main Our sector? the in role Alfaship’s is What years. 30 over for operating been has Alfaship means. own our with chain supply of the stages all we cover where logistics, integral is activities key of Alfaship’s One full digitization of the group. group. of the digitization full complete and clients; of our needs the to adapted services new able offer to be the world; of ports main the in traffic attend port; international an in of them one branches, new three open and objectives expansion our achieve to I’d like future? near the in director managing Alfaship as accomplish to like you would What services. of port offer the favor will turn in which opportunities, business detect to currents new of these advantage take must sector private The practices. good encouraging and industries, of the any strangle to not trying actors, international main the with agreement in and way a progressive in else, everything as be done, should It environment. the for respect and efficiency of energy pursuit in projects interesting in materializing is that awareness an is there authorities Spanish of the part the on that know to comforting It is economy? blue the of development the see you do How group. of the departments various the to technologies latest the provide and of innovation forefront at the being continue to is goal Our experience. customer and management internal in improvements significant to led has R+D+I in development Constant investment considerable. annual is Alfaship’s partners. of your of technology levels same the maintain to necessary it is so countries with relations international on based is sector maritime of the part alarge Also, investments. its to proportional usually is company of a innovation of level The benefits. brings only Innovation sector? your in especially innovation, of importance the is What regulations. local by offered advantages the from benefitting thus Islands, Canary the in invest to seeking companies foreign assisting in specializes department legal own Our area. the in investors potential and clients partners, its for information valuable obtains and research market frequent conducts Alfaship expert, alocal As on? count investor an can Alfaship of services What

Q&A 162 +1,500 +600 7 TONS CRANE CAPACITY LANES DRY-DOCKING IN 2019 IN PROJECTS COMPLETED WORKFORCE SUÁREZ CALVO facts GERMÁN President Astican management decided totalkthoseclose Also, attheend of 2014andearly2015the world andseewhatwecanlearn fromthem. our andotherindustriesinevery partofthe always beobservingtheverybest playersin is paramountnowadaysandwe needto they couldbeappliedtoshipping. Innovation study whathadgivenpositiveresultstoseeif encouraged themtocheckothersectorstoo, that couldimproveourperformance.We the lookoutfornewandinnovativeideas and yearsinthesector, toalwaysbeon especially thosewithalotofexperience was importanttoencourageallourworkers, for twentytothirtyyears.Sowethoughtit have beenworkingatthesamecompany sector. A lot oftheemployeesinsector Shipping hasalwaysbeenaverytraditional innovate, especiallyinyoursector? air in.” isitto constantly Howimportant doors andwindowslettingthefresh You oncesaid“innovation isaboutopening him alot,wemadeverygoodteam. father, who wasalwaysbackingmeup.Imiss have thesupportofformerpresident,my challenge formeispersonal,asInowdon’t same andnotchangedthatmuch.Themain responsibilities, business-wise,havebeenthe changes norchallenges.Thedayto point ofview, therehasn’tbeenthatmany I becamepresidentsofromaprofessional I wasalreadythedeputypresidentbefore biggest challengesofar? almost ayearnow. What hasbeenyour You have beenatthehelmofAsticanfor

ASTICAN: ALWAYS IN CONTINUOUS DEVELOPMENT obliges sulfurto beremovedfromthefuel Maritime Organization) regulationwhich example, thereisanewIMO(Internacional these issues.Sincethebeginning of2020,for investments aretakingplaceto address In theshippingsectorseveralmeasures and environment andsocialawareness. ask companieswhattheyaredoingaboutthe just askaboutsalariesorproducts,theywill In thefuture,workersandcustomerswon’t linked tosocialandenvironmentalawareness. I thinkthenexteconomictrendisclosely Is thisaconcernwithinyoursector? care oftheenvironment andbesustainable. Each sector oftheeconomyneedsto take quality ITservicestooureconomy. on tourism.Anotheristobringinghigh and diverseeconomywhichisn’tbasedonly One ofInerza’saimistohelpcreatearich start theirowncompanyandbesuccessful. here andtohelpentrepreneurswhowant Canary Islandsanoptiontoworkandstay to givethemosttalentedpeoplefrom research intotherealworldofdailybusiness, a movewere:tobeablehavetheacademic Canaria. Someofthereasonswemadesuch headquartered atParque Tecnológico deGran of LasPalmas deGranCanariawhereitis Islands. Then,wemovedittotheUniversity privately fundedR&DcenterintheCanary started whatcouldbeconsideredthelargest took placemorethanoneyearagowhenwe ICT needs.AnimportantmilestoneforInerza innovative andithelpsitsclientswiththeir Palmas and thePort AuthorityofTenerife. It’s IT DepartmentofthePort AuthorityofLas beginning ofthe2000sasaspin-off Inerza isacompanythatstartedatthe tell uswhatitdoes? You arealsoinvolved withInerza.Canyou reality, andsoon. as 3Dscanners,digitalprints,augmented introducing roboticsandnewtechnologysuch environmental-friendly procedures, Innovation inoursectorfocusesoncreating innovate. experience andnewbloodtoevolve needed. Ourstrategywastocombine sectors tobringthefreshaircompany younger workersandhiredpeoplefromother to takeovertheirjobs.We alsopromoted them tohelpuslookfortherightcandidate to retirementinourorganizationandasked to meetenvironmentaldemands.Moreover, sector, whichisevolvingatahighpace,needs Today, everynewtechnologyappliedtothe reduce therunningcostsofavessel. comply withthisrequirement,youcouldeven decision aboutwhattechnologytobeused consumed bythevessels.Ifyoutakeright the shippingsectoriscommittedtoachievinganimportantreductionofCO priority forAstican. the people,not just directemployees,buteveryone related.Thisisalong-term the peopleinthem”.Andfromthat Ilearntthatitisimportanttotakecareof you haveinyourbankaccount or thebuildingsyoucanown.Companiesare He oncetoldmesomethinghereally believed:“Companiesarenotthemoney What have youlearntfrom yourfather, Astican’s formerpresident? each eurobilledtoavesselyields3eurosofrevenue. With thisdrydock,wearealso aiming togetintothecruiseshipmarketwhere we expecttodoubleourdirectemploymentfiguresinLas Palmas. allow ustoincreasethecapacityofourshipyardbythreeandmost important, of thelargetonnagetrafficthatsailseachyearalongCanary waters.Itwill We expecttofinish thisprojectaround2022anditwillallowcapturingpart Canyoutellusmoreaboutthisproject? Palmas port. Astican, withaninvestmentof€35million,plansto buildadrydockinLas the developmentandresultswillbeaspositivethosefromaviation. the airlinesforexample,toreduceitsemissions.Ibelieveonce theyareinplace the environmentsothatiswhyithastoandwilladoptsametechnologiesas representing about90to95%oftheglobaltrade.Anditdoeshaveanimpacton As Imentioned,shippingisaverytraditionalandimportantindustry trying to cleanupitsact.Canyouconfirmthis? industries, butit’s saidShippingisoneofthedirtiest A RecentCNNreport released intotheatmosphereby2030. 2

Q&A +5 million 36 2018 1941 TRASMEDITERRÁNEA BOUGHT STARTED OPERATING PASSENGERSA YEAR SHIPS ANTONIO ARMAS

FERNÁNDEZ facts Naviera Armas President Therefore, as I’ve said the economic impact impact economic the said I’ve as Therefore, back. then and summer in Morocco to Europe from go who citizens Moroccan mostly non-residents, we transport Gibraltar, of Strait the In example. for peninsula, the to Islands Balearic the and Melilla from forth; and back residents transport We mostly business. of our percentage asmall is tourism from income The of cargo. meters loading million eight than more and vehicles 1.5 million passengers, We million 5.5 move passengers? cargo/ between ratio current the is What ones. new these for them substitute and ships older of the some retire we will So Italy. in one and Vigo in one construction, in others two we have and shipyard; at INCAT Australia in built ship, high-speed anew have We also companies. two the between boats 40 of approximately afleet now we have and Trasmediterránea, weTwo bought ago, years passengers. and cargo both carry to ferries make to we began seventies the In cargo. for only were then ships but the trucks, for system off roll-on/roll- the use to we started and DFDS, called company Danish a from ships two first the Ibought Canaries. the in islands between connectivity the improve to imperative it was old, and were available ships the time that At passengers? and cargo of transport the and ferries on concentrate to time over evolve it did How 1941. in company the founded Your father

CONNECTING THE CANARY ISLANDS fuel we use. Some ships will get scrubbers, scrubbers, get will ships Some we use. fuel of type the changing already we’re year This damage?environmental stop help to taken you have measures What record. its improve to needs whole, a as sector shipping the but certification, 2000 ISO the obtained Your company last year from numbers the versus 2.3% by increased have 2020 in figures tourism the bankruptcy, of the event unfortunate this with Even vacations. on spend to money less have will people as tourism, for same The decreases. also transport for demand the Palma, La or Fuerteventura Lanzarote, in perishables for demand less have you If islands. smaller the to capital the from perishables We transport these. like times in segment this in increase to we tend sector, transport of the rest the below are prices passenger the as hand, other But the on business. less have therefore we might and jobs, power, less purchasing less be might there income, less With income. of source main Canaries’ the is which here, tourism influenced bankruptcy the course Of yours? like acompany on effect adomino there Was Cook. Thomas of bankruptcy the from suffered has Islands Canary the in Tourism rates. transport passenger normal than lower is operators tour via rates the and small, is of passengers number but the excursions, on tourists carrying lines We two have important. isn’t business our on of tourism a panacea, but technically it isn’t. but technically a panacea, as about talked It’s fuel. other any than effect greenhouse agreater creates gas natural that is know don’t people what and gas, about of alot talk hearing been However, we have polluting. less is which fuel, 05 use will Others engines. marine in processes of combustion result a as generated gasses exhaust the from components harmful and matter particulate removes that apparatus an is which from the business of ship registry. registry. of ship business the from profit and instead, haven atax be we should when taxes imposing by mistake We agrave made free. tax we were here—because shop to came outside from people why that’s and at point, one haven atax fact, in were, Islands Canary The haven. atax become didn’t islands these that it apity thought always I’ve general? in Islands Canary the in economy the of future the see you do how And it. help can they if anymore twice labor dock for pay to willing is No one here. port the than expensive less are they because ours for competition stiff are Senegal, in port the Tangier, even or like Morocco in ports but complications, other present might They ours. than ports cheaper are There can. they if stops avoid they so well, as expensive more carry ships the product the makes This expensive. very are workers dock and Stevedores aship. for of alot money costs A stop now. directly there go just they Africa, South to get to here stop to have don’t and of Europe north the leave They passes. that day autonomy every more gain but ships Ocean, Atlantic of the middle the in it’s because port strategic a obviously it grow. to It’s for taken be must measures certain that I think Canaria? Gran in here port the of development the see you do How requests. our to adapt to have also we work with suppliers the because process, aslow It’s cartons. Tetra to Brik plastic from changing We are boats. the on food consume passengers when containers from comes that boats the on waste plastic eliminate to aproject on working been also we’ve months, few past For the us. for million €8 to €4 between expenditure an means changes these of Each of them. all but not boats, of some structure the change to have We will

Q&A new export crop isfast soon rival the banana: emergingmay which Canary Islands have production. Now a been celebrated Forcenturies the for theirbanana the avocado. H AOAO REVOLUTION AVOCADO THE Canary Islands possesstheright climatic con- and the restofEuropeare rising rapidly. The consumed locally, exportstopeninsular Spain While much of the islands’ avocado output is 25% since2015. vating avocados has increased by more than area in the region which is dedicated to culti- as of land to avocado production. The surface Canary Islands areallocating increasing are- A unsaturated fats, planters in the and nutritional valueofthefruit’s soars, driven by the health benefits s globaldemand for avocados COMESCANARIES TO Agro-Rincón is now investing in new pro new in now investing is Agro-Rincón Europe. across wide and far sold is and average the than of fat proportion higher a has variety Hass popular company’s The texture. buttery nutty, their for celebrated are Agro-Rincón by sold avocados the soil, canic vol healthy in growing crops with and mate, cli subtropical this in of frost risks no With year. every avocados of kilos 1.5 million around it produces total, In Gomera. La and Palma La Tenerife, across smallholders by grown avocados distributes and of land hectares 200 than more on dos avoca 1994, in grows company, founded The Pinkerton andReed. with the fullrange of varieties: Hass, Fuerte, plying supermarkets across Spain and beyond internationally for more than 20 years, sup- growing, packaging and distributing avocados Wenceslao Martínez-Barona has been Zerolo At Agro-Rincón on the island of Tenerife, to chargeapremiumpricefortheirproducts. texture, farmers on theislands have beenable of Canarian avocados, andtheirripe,creamy flavors the of intensity the of Because Europe. than in other avocado-producing regions in here andthequalityoffruit farhigher ocados successfully, withtheyieldsachieved ditions and the soiltypeneededtogrowav- - - - - potential. Our avocados are of proven quality quality of proven are avocados Our potential. high have Islands Canary the “Avocados from reality.” new this for prepared be We to need Canaries. the in planned being are plantations new and 30% around by risen have sales avocado al “Glob says. Martínez-Barona production,” in rise the to respond us help to facilities our ing prepar we are and Islands Canary the in idly rap increasing been has “Avocado production generation. world’s millennial the with popular especially is which fruit, the for demand international and local surging supply to capacity cessing Our avocados are inthevolcanic produced oftheCanary soil Islands & have anexquisite ﬂavor, creaminess &freshness CANARY ISLANDS AVOCADOS ISLANDS CANARY - - - international markets. markets. international new conquer avocado Canarian the help and strategies export define production, govern will which association an creating are islands the on producers avocado time, same the At dication). In Geographical (Protected of PGI status the achieve and islands the on grown avocados for label of origin adenomination create to plans pursuing currently is Government al region the market, global the in avocados an Canari differentiate and To exports support Europe.” over all markets discerning in reputation a strong building are they and - - - www.agrorincon.es

AGRICULTURE 30% 4 20 IN THE CANARY ISLANDS OF AVOCADOS CONSUMPTION PER CAPITA PRODUCTION TO AVOCADO YEARS DEDICATED WORLDWIDE CONSUMPTION IN AVOCADOINCREASE

kilos BARONA ZEROLO WENCESLAO

facts MARTÍNEZ- Agro-Rincón

Owner production intheCanaryIslandscometo be? How didthedevelopment ofavocado our growinglistofexportproducts. and Israel.Ouravocadohasgreat potentialin other growingareassuchasChile, SouthAfrica competes atthehighestlevelsof qualitywith is whywemanagedtoenterthatmarket.It agreed thatourfruitisverygoodand the highqualityofCanaryavocados,they important butdemandingmarket.After seeing Switzerland, forexample,whichisan We arenowexporting avocadosto avocados? potentialoftheCanarian What istheexport at themoment. irrigation whichisnotnecessarilybeingdone more sustainable,wherethereiswaterfor encourage thatweplantinareaswhereitis becoming moreandpopular. ButIalso land. Theavocado,thecropIworkwith,is that newcropsarisetofillthisabandoned Hierro, andpartsofTenerife soit’sbeneficial on islandslikeLaGomera,Palma, El there isalotofabandonedsoil,especially grapes, avocadoandpotatoes.Ibelievethat other cropsthathavebeenaddedsuchas has alwaysbeenthebanana.Nowthereare The predominantcropintheCanaryIslands Canary Islands? current stateoftheprimarysector inthe arable land.Inyouropinion,whatisthe (18% ofthetotal), thereis60%ofunused area ofapproximately 130,000hectares In thearchipelago, withanarable agricultural

BETTING ON THE CANARY ISLAND AVOCADO cultivation over human consumption. this isnotsustainable, youcannotprioritize avocados andnottohumans.We believethat the avocados.Thatis,theygivepriority to populations withvatsandthewater goesto for humanconsumption.Theysupply the in areaswherethereisnowater, noteven a reportonChilewheretheyareplanting planted inareasthathavenowater. Isaw In manypartsoftheworldcropsarebeing you workforsustainablecrop development? agricultural production worldwide.Howdo It isclearthatclimatechangeaffecting there isplentywaterandagoodclimate. they choosetogrowisaproperareawhere producers needtomakesurethatthesite desperately wanttoplantanywhere,butthe optimal foravocados.Therearepeoplewho want thefarmertoplantinareasthatarenot do itinanorderlymanner, becausewedon’t productive forothercrops.Butweneedto avocados inareasthathavenotbeen There arepeoplewhonowcultivating year waitinglistforpeopleplants. We haveanurseryandweeventwo- moment. avocados hereintheCanaryIslandsat consumption. Thereisagreatdemandfor Islands hasincreasedaswelltheexternal The internalconsumptionintheCanary 2020? avocado sector in2019andtheoutlookfor What willbetheresultsofCanary with ecologicalcertifications. we’re nowtryingtocertifyCanarianavocados organic avocadosherethaninotherplaces.So because webelieveitismucheasiertogrow Next, wewanttogroworganicavocados Practices, aqualitycertification. the worldwidestandardforGoodAgricultural important tohavetheGlobalG.A.P., whichis the farmsforexport,becauseinEuropeit’s we shouldtakeadvantageofitandcertify that exporttoEuropeatthistime.Ithink better qualityfruitsthantheothercountries Switzerland, andwebelievethathave We exportbothtotheIberianPeninsula and has verygoodrecognition. six years.Ithinkitisacropthatifgrownwell have increasedarablelandby25%inthelast worldwide. We’ve gotonthattrain,andwe consumption ofavocadohasrisenalot,30% There isaworldavocadoboom.The a goodareaforavocados. more thanhalftheislandisabandonedand are promotingthecropbecauseweseethat La Gomerawherethereisalotofwater, we avocado cultivationaslessprofitable.Butin and itismoreexpensive,sofarmerssee of theislands,wherethereislittlewater Here wehaveareas,forexample,inthesouth practices, etc.And nowwearereadytoincrease production. teach thetechnicians aboutharvesting,pruning, traceability, goodagricultural we needmoretechnicaladvice for thosefarms.We neededtoinvestand technicians becausewehavemore farms,andaswehavetocertifyourproduct, We hadtoinvestmoreinfieldadviceandtechnicians. We neededmore meanforAgro-Rincón?What doeshaving thesecertifications top ofthemarket. to achievetheavocadoPGIbecausewebelieverightnow isatthe theirs. Higherfatmeansthatthefruitisbetter. Ithinkitwouldbeagoodidea that gointoproductionatthesametimeaswedo,ourfruithas morefatthan we believethatwhenenterproduction,comparedtotheproductive areas avocado producers.With itwealsowanttoboosttheavocadoPGI,because Yes, andwearenowworkingoncreatingaCanaryIslandsassociationof this recognitionfortheCanaryavocado? recognition asaProtected Geographical Indication.Doyouaspireto achieve The CanaryIslandsBananaPGIistheonlybananathathasachieved European same space. we havemadeanothertypeofframeandtheremaybe550or600treesinthe to havegreaterproductivityeachhectare.Wheretherewere400treesbefore, drip thatusemuchlesswater. We alsohavechangedtheplantationframeworks Irrigation equipmenthasbeenmodernized,nowtheyarewateringbysprayor performance? What innovation techniquesarealreadybeingappliedforbettercrop

Q&A 1 #1 ACADEMIC HOSPITAL ACCREDITED AS AN THE CANARIES TO BE PRIVATE HOSPITAL IN ISLAND’S HOSPITALS RANKING IN CANARY st

SANSÓ MARRERO IMPROVING EACH DAY TO Business Development Hospitales SanRoque BETTER PATIENT SERVICE RODRÍGUEZ facts SEBASTIÁN HERMINIA Vice President ROSAS Director surgery, neurosurgery, digestive surgery, surgery, digestive neurosurgery, surgery, cardiac as such specialties complex in treatment offer We can patients. these assume to enclave aprivileged in We are distance. afar travel at or least travel to aposition in be not may specialists, require who those especially patients, Some there. market large the in ourselves position better to trying we are continent, African the to HR: years? few next the in economy island’s the in play tourism health will role What tourists. of German decrease the is noticing we are However, what seats. air of their all almost absorbed and repositioned has which Jet2, operator, tour another is there fact, In areas. other as hard as Canaria Gran hit didn’t crisis Cook Thomas The traffic. tourism health consequently and numbers tourism decreases or increases that factor main the is connectivity Air traffic. air current of our rearrangement the with solved be will This crises. of economic because not and connectivity air to related issues of because situation a difficult facing is industry tourism the Canaria Gran In crises. resists best that sectors of the one always it is although somewhat, drops tourism recession, economic an is there If from. come tourists the where countries of the situation economic the on depends Spain in Tourism SS: Canaria? Gran in especially and Spain in tourism health of development the see you do How A decisive role! Given our proximity proximity our role! Given Adecisive to the market of the traditional tourist. tourist. traditional of the market the to corresponds normally tourist health The SS: tourism. health to it comes when us helps really climate snow. the Our in than rather sun the under beach the on recuperating prefer much would rehabilitation require that Patients here. weather the to attracted very are surgeries, some for countries, Scandinavian the from Those patient. the for safety more and problems fewer means that travel ashorter and alternative cheaper a now offer Islands Canary the problems, health their solve to years many for France to traveling been have they Although need. they attention the them giving and patients of those receival the pioneering We are Africa. in assistance such find to difficult very it is since specialties, internist other linked to the Norwegian government for for government Norwegian the to linked a center is there Canaria Gran in fact, In treatments. post-operative for come them of many and repeatedly come who people older are they tourism, beach and sun for come Scandinavians the and Germans The Italy. and France of Benelux, that after British; the thirdly and Scandinavian, the then market, German the first are of tourism type this for markets main Our less CO For example,thisyear westartedusingthefirstNuclearMRIinSpain.Ituses has beenquickerinprovidingnewer technologyinhospitals. compared inmostoftheprocessestopublichealth,withadifference: perhapsit and iscurrentlyatitsbest.Ithasassumedincreasingcomplexity andcanbe scientifically, andprofessionally;privatehealthcarehasgreatlyimproved, Today, Spanishhealthcareisoneofthetopratedinworld-technologically, very farfromeverythingandtriedtosolvethemwiththemeans theycould. who detectedaseriesofneedsintheCanaryIslands,attime when wewere started towhatitisnowadays.HSRbeganasaprojectofgroup ofdoctors HR: Islands. Canary the in reputation health of ranking the leads and excellence, technological and medical its both for recognized it’s specialties, surgical and medical of range awide has (HSR) Roque San Hospitales lifetime. of their end at the assisted be to them allows that offer sanitary asocio- with complementary, cases some in or retire, to residence a second with independent either here, life way of a find who retirees with of Europe Miami the becoming is people, some for Canaria, Gran tourism. retirement be but it would exactly, tourism medical considered longer no is So, this residents. become and live to here up staying end tourists of these Many as psoriasis. such complications dermatological certain have who of patients rehabilitation everything, it’smuch moreenvironmentallyfriendly. the patientmight haveisreduced.Theimagequality isverygoodandontopof That meansthatthepatientspends lesstimedoingthestudy, soanydiscomfort with ahigh-qualityimage,which helpsmakediagnosticsquickerandeasier. HSRturns100thiscomingyear. There’sacleardifferencefromhowit 2 andsomeformofhelium,which ismuchmoreeco-responsibleand

Q&A 2 2012 5 DESTINATION STARLIGHT TOURIST DESIGNATED A ISLANDS CANARYIN THE LARGEST ISLAND IN THE CANARIES IN THE PRODUCTION BIGGEST BANANA nd th

HERNÁNDEZ La Palma Council facts MARIANO ZAPATA President need to increase our bed capacity because need toincrease ourbedcapacitybecause developed inthe future.AsImentionedwe hope thattraditionalhoteltourism canbe environmental value,andthatis wherewe lands arealreadyexploitedand have no where currentlybananasaregrown. These talking aboutthewesternregion oftheisland exploited, mainlybyagriculture.We are develop thoseareasthathavealreadybeen So ourstrategyforthecomingyearsisto the environment. investors, butwewon’tdoitifcompromises and makeLaPalma moreattractivefortourism to increasethenumberofflightsisland Because onlywithmorebedswewillbeable increase thenumberofbedsavailable. And foraneconomicgrowth,weneedto environment, hasalwaysbeenourpriority. tourism development,alwaysrespectingthe one inregardtotourism.Asustainable islands intheCanaries,ismostsustainable Today, La Palma, withrespecttotheother development ofsustainabletourism? What isyour government’s strategy forthe respective fieldsatalltimes. them tomaketheirowndecisionsin directors alotofresponsibilityandrelyon fields. Icarryoutmyworkbygivingthe counselors whoareleadersineachoftheir of LaPalma. Iwantedtohaveadvisorsand areas thatwehavetomanageontheisland people whohadexperienceineachofthe As leaderoftheIslandCouncilIlookedfor of theIslandCouncilLaPalma? that translate inyour leadershipaspresident ofbeingateam player.importance Howdoes You are anathlete andunderstand the

THE GREENEST OF THE EIGHT CANARY ISLANDS Reserve wassetupasweknowitnowadays Council, LaPalma BiosphereWorldwide of theUNESCOInternationalCoordination November 2002,duringaPlenarySession more than16%oftheinsularsurface.In declared territorywasextendedcomprising international recognition.In1998,the Spanish islandtocountwiththisimportant as abiospherereserve,becomingthefirst the estateElCanalyLosTiles in LaPalma In 1983,UNESCOdeclared511hectaresof Reserve? What isthe LaPalma Worldwide Biosphere developed intheseareas. small hotelsandprivaterentalplacescanbe Ley deIslasVerdes (GreenIslandsLaw)so areas, wewillcontinueworkingonthenew beds inruralandenvironmentalprotected At thesametime,toincreasenumberof in constructinghotelsthere. we needtoattractinvestorsthatareinterested production areafourhotelsareplanned,but hotels ontheisland.Inthiswesternbanana at themomentthereareonlythreelarge employment to the weather situation, the state employment totheweathersituation,state access toinformationabouttheisland;from CabLaPalma. Thosewhouseitwillhave application availablefordownload, by improvingdatabases.We haveamobile We wanttoupgradetheislandtechnologically and developtheirfuture. islanders canstayontheislandtolive,work avoid depopulationandgrowsothatthe opportunities aspossible.Also,wehaveto First tocreateasmanyinvestmentandgrowth in office? What priorities doyouhave foryourfirst term for theisland’ssustainablegrowth. biologists andtechnicianswhosetparameters of thisreserve.Itisdirectedandledby tourism, contributefinanciallytotherunning departments oftheIslandCouncil,including the Responsible Tourism Institute.Several It’s dependentontheIslandCounciland making atotalextensionof80,702hectares. environment withasurfaceof9,870hectares, as theincorporationofonepartsea which isthewholeinsularsurface,aswell

© Saúl Santos you can’tgetinother islandsoftheCanaryarchipelago. Palma isaplacetobediscovered andwhereyoucanhave someexperiencesthat La IslaBonita(TheBeautifulIsland), ournickname,becauseitisanaturalsite.La stable andpleasantclimateallyear. Also, manypeoplesaytheywanttocome Our geographicallocationandgood weathermakeLaPalma aparadisewith How wouldyoudescribe La Palma to ourreaders? many stepstotake,butwehavealreadystartedit. island ofLaPalma. Averyambitiousproject,whichwilltakealongtime. We have environmental conservation.Theobjectiveofthisprojectistodecarbonizethe has alreadyselectedthisprojectasoneofthebestinrenewableenergyand renewable energyfacilitiesthathadbeenabandoned.TheEurope an Commission We arealsodeveloping theLaPalma Renewable Project,tovaluedifferent program hasbeeninoperationformorethanayear. the firstinCanaryIslandsthatcarriedoutrecyclingoforganicmatter. This We areveryaware ofthefightagainstplastic. We areanislandthatrecyclesand archipelago free ofplastics? You care alot about theenvironment. Will LaPalma bethe first islandinthe this willbringmorethan€250millionininvestments. have thegoodnewsthatgreatEuropeansolartelescopewillbeinstalledhere; build intheCanaryIslands.Itwouldbeabreakthroughforus.Andwealready telescope fromtheTMTscientificconsortiumthatalreadyhasallpermitsto now, wearewaitingtoseeifLaPalma ischosenfortheinstallation ofthelarge The islandofLaPalma isoneofthetopplacesinworldforastronomy. Right for the island. Astronomy isquite important opportunities forus. and developastrongcommitmenttotourismthatcanalsogeneratewealth future: continuetofocusonagriculture,wherebananasareofgreatimportance, agriculture, mainlybananaandavocadoproduction.Sothisistheplanforthe tourism development,respectfulnotonlywiththeenvironment,but contributing almostthesametoisland’sGDP. We havetoseekasustainable The economyinLaPalma mainlycomesfromagricultureandtourism,both How doyouseethe future ofthe economyofLaPalma? will providebetterservicestoourcitizens. of theroadsandinfluxvehiclesoneachthem. With bettertechnology, we

hectares CONCEPCIÓN facts San Bartolomé (Maspalomas) de Tirajana

Mayor is doing its job renovating public spaces, they is doingitsjobrenovating publicspaces,they the privatesector seesthatthepublicsector that. We needtobemoreambitious.Andwhen be smallprojectsonbeaches,trails, thingslike The projectsthatwehaverightnow, seemto necessary? What modernizationdoyousee as plan tomodernizethecity. that weallcoordinateandcancarryoutthis central, regionalorlocal,tobeinonit,so creating budgets,butforalladministrations, important thingisn’tjustinvestingmoney, or tourist destination.That’swhytomethemost companies trusttocomeandinvestinour the legalframeworkforinvestors;that the mostimportantthingtodoisreinforce to improveeconomicdevelopment,forme like theSiamPark inGranCanaria.However, are lookingatcarryingoutisathemepark, to strengthenourpotential.Oneprojectwe and hasgreatpotential.Rightnowweneed it ispopularlyknown,fullofopportunities San BartolomédeTirajana, orMaspalomasas Maspalomas? What areyourprioritiesasthenewmayorof directly orindirectly. coastline livesoffoftourism,whetheritis (Maspalomas). AlmostalloftheCanarian Canaria andSanBartolomédeTirajana Tourism istheeconomicengineofGran the entireislandofGran Canaria? of tourism, notonlyforthecity,butalso What isthesocialandeconomicimportance

MASPALOMAS: WHERE TRANSPARENCY IS A PRIORITY getting licenses and permitsforoneofthe parks, water andthelike.We are now of aspecifictype:nightlifeactivities, theme want togo.Theopportunitiesare especially more, dependingonhowfarthe cityofficials There aresome,buttherecould beeven inyourcityrightnow? opportunities What aresomeoftheinvestment in Spaintoimprovetheshortterm. in thetransparencyrankingofmunicipalities soon aspossiblebecauseIwantourposition meeting, andsoon.We needtodothatas of whatisapprovedinamunicipalboard and advisors,thedeclarationoftheirassets, the publicationofpayrollspublicofficers some requisiteswhicharesimple,suchas other municipalities.We shouldcomplete behind onbeingtransparentcomparedto be. Rightnow, weareacitycouncilthatis and thepointwherewewouldwantto Let meexplainthepointwherewearenow of information. actions. Butmostimportantlyistransparency the investmentsandpublictenders,its transparent withtheopportunitiesithas, that publicadministrationneedstobemore is fundamental,inthesocietythatwelivein, objectives thatwehavebecausebelieveit Information andtransparencyisoneofthe your government? doestransparency have in What importance to renovatetheirspacesaswell. will feelmotivatedandhaveabiggerincentive memorable experiencewhetheritbe needs tobesomethingspecial,apositive, Exactly. At theendofeveryvacationthere experiences. Tourists today arechanging;theywantmore businesses. rentals, andotherdirectindirecttourist would beagoodmagnetforhotels,car night activitiesandentertainment,which offer withsuchthingsasthisthemeparkand That’s whywearetryingtocomplementour tourist destinationswithbeachesaswell. beach tourismcrowds,butthereareother We areagreatdestinationforthesunand talk aboutdatesyet. largest themeparksintheworld,butwecan’t best destination youcanfind. sun andbeach relaxingactivitiesthatissafe andsecure,Maspalomasisthe My messageforthereadersisthat ifyouarelookingforaplacetounwind,with and candecideiftheywouldlike toinvestornot. committee, theprospectivecompanies canhavealloftheinformationatonce various administrationsandthe privatesectortosavetime.With theinvestment to jumpthrough.Ibelieveitisfundamental tohavecoordinationbetweenthe administrations sothecompaniesthatwanttoinvestdon’thave asmanyhoops follow. We havemanypeopleonthecommitteewhounderstanddifferent express whatiswantedandwecantellthemtherequirements and stepsto so wehavecreatedthisinvestmentcommitteeforthecompany tocome, council, theislandCanaryIslandsgovernment-lots ofdepartments, investment committee.Manytimesoutsidecompanieshaveto talk tothecity we areheretoreceive,guide,andorientyouthat’swhywe’ve createdan My messageforthecompaniesthatareattractedtoourmunicipality isthat work aheadofme,butI’mexcitedtotakeonthechallenge. I’d liketosay, asthemayorofSanBartolomédeTirajana, thatIhavealotof What wouldbeyourmessageto ourreaders? what wehavetooffer. campaign becausewithlessmoneywereachedpeoplewhowerelookingfor looking forabeachandsundestinationthatweexist.Itwasveryproductive Costa Canaria.Thegoalwastoquicklyandconcretelyshowthepersonwho internet forsunandbeachdestinationswillfindimagesoftheMaspalomas We launchedanonlinecampaigninBritainwherethosewhosearchedthe internet. Tourist areconstantlybeingmoreinformedthankstosocialmediaandthe Are thenewtechnologiesaffectingtourism today? late, butlittlebyweareimproving. tourism. Ibelievethatwehavemanythingstoadvanceinandarequite We havebeenabletoverifythattouristsareincreasinglyaskingforsustainable destinations tocreatememories. experiences andarebecomingmorecompetentchoosierwhenpicking landscapes, theclimate,gastronomy, orthemeparks.Tourists arelookingfor

Q&A 8 MASPALOMAS AVERAGE STAY IN DAYS OVERNIGHT UNIQUE, DIVERSE Environmental Policies Councilor for Tourism Tirajana (Maspalomas)

& Human Resources DESTINATION San Bartolomé de ALEJANDRO Urban Planning MARICHAL fact RAMOS tourists andresidents don’tmingle.We have typical modelof developingcountries,where identity. Ourtourismmodel hasbeenthe city. Theintentionisto giveourselvesanew tourist infrastructuretohelpus improve our better benches,differentstreetlights and renovate publicspaces:bettersidewalks, Second, atourisminfrastructureplanto easily. can measurethereturnoninvestmentmore more effective,hasalowercost,andyou of thepromotionwillbeonline,sinceitis culture, sports,gastronomyandleisure.Most now basedonfivemajoraxes:sun&beach, a tourismpromotionplan.Therewillbeone overnight staystodate,therehasneverbeen which isEurope’sdestinationwiththemost San BartolomédeTirajana andMaspalomas, one istohaveatourismpromotionplan.In We havesetthreemajorobjectives.Thefirst How canyouensurethis? the townbeingamajortouristdestination. sector andreceivebenefitsthatcomesfrom residents tobeinvolvedwithinthetourism estates andbusinesses.Rather, wewantmore industry nottobeconcentratedinafewlarge want theincomegeneratedbytourist environmental andsocialpointofview. We more sustainabledestination,bothfroman main challengewefaceistoensurewe’rea Bartolomé deTirajana, upto70%.The domestic productand,inthecaseofSan it represents40%ofGranCanaria’sgross It isveryimportantforus,tothepointthat of Gran Canaria? only forthecity,butalsoentireisland isthetourism industrynot How important Canary Islands before the colonization. colonization. the before Islands Canary of the inhabitants ancient of the avestige is It of Arteara. Necropolis the Canaria, Gran of island the on cemetery aboriginal largest the to be would visit amust say I would Canaria for you? Gran in place special most the is What here. time more spend tourists the since return a better get can businesses that implies That 8 days. is stay overnight average our up abusiness: open to destination attractive avery We are Islands. Canary the and Maspalomas in here opportunity investment agood is built already is what renovating I believe constructions, new in investing than More here? invest to potential the is What practices. sustainable about them informing students at 10,000 aimed atraining started we have residents, the to Looking perfectly. do it efforts, recycling certify that companies other with working when Companies, residents. the it’s companies, not is recycling of terms in group non-compliant most the that indicate studies However, previous initiatives. these with us help to asked be will sector business private the and yet, ones which chosen out –we haven’t carried be will actions afew. Multiple name to treatment; waste and recycling our improve measures; appropriate the take can they readings these on based and CO2 levels on information receive shops and restaurants that so cities of the parts certain in sensors putting necessary; when on comes only lighting the that so sensors with lighting public using are: take to looking we are actions of the Some model? out to implement a sustainable tourism carried be will that initiatives the are What planning oftencauses. up inthebureaucraticproblemsthaturban it inasimplewaythatwon’thavethemtied possibilities, sothatprivatecompaniescando modernization bycreatingurbanplanning commercial areas.We mustencouragethis The thirdobjectiveistomodernizethe whole. residential area,buttalkaboutthecityasa we donottalkaboutthetouristareaand to changethat.We needamodelinwhich leader insustainable island of Lanzarote The otherworldly is arecognized tourism LEADS THEWAY C walls of volcanic rock. rock. of volcanic walls stone circular by elements the from protected climate, semi-desert this in ash out of the grow grapevines Malvasia of visitors, ment amaze the to south, the to journey A short attraction. star undisputed land’s is the are environment otherworldly of this rides camel and geysers chambers, magma craters, the of Lanzarote, quarter one almost Covering island. the of north the in Park ral Natu Timanfaya in than visible more island of the geology spectacular the is Nowhere gastronomy. and growing wine to architecture and art from ranging treasures, of cultural range unusual an spired in also have They lovers. enduring nature to appeal an exert landscape extraordinary and origins volcanic Lanzarote’s Islands, nary Ca of the easternmost and northernmost The adifference. with cation va for a family for looking people destination LANZAROTE Lanzarote has long been a popular a popular been long has Lanzarote of island the sports, water its and architecture its beaches, its scape, land volcanic its for elebrated ------sustainable tourism. tourism. sustainable in trailblazer a true as role its now regaining is Lanzarote treasures, island’s the tecting pro to commitment a renewed by and rique Man of spirit the by Inspired worked. artist the where out of lava carved studio ranean subter the in located Foundation, Manrique thevisitto Cesar to was an official tions make ac first Corujo’s of one office, assuming On construction. uncontrolled from Lanzarote Pepín leader protect and hotels high-rise ban to Ramirez island with working opment, devel of sustainable advocate early an came be Manrique 1966, in York New from home returned he When Manrique. César architect and artist son, famous most of Lanzarote’s cy lega the on building is Corujo ways many In says. Corujo territory,” island’s of the management and control the for of tools development the in lost been has that time the regain to have “We istration. admin of her priorities top the transparency and protection environmental made jo, has Coru Dolores Maria government, zarote’s of Lan head new –the ago 15some years boom estate real Spanish the during threat under came –which status To this defend serve. Re Biosphere a UNESCO designated been has island entire the landscape, volcanic the and Timanfaya of wonders the to thanks Largely ------500 125 km 4 +3 million TOURISTSIN 2018 OF AFRICA OFF THE NORTH COAST CANARIES IN THE LARGEST ISLAND ON THE ISLAND ON THE OF PLANTS DIFFERENT KIND th

CORUJO BERRIEL MARÍA DOLORES

Lanzarote Council

facts

President Yes, connectivity willalwaysbeachallenge to overcome? Is connectivity another ofthe great challenges possible workingconditions. main sector, staysstrongandoffersthebest economy whilemakingsurethat tourism,our And wemustundoubtedlydiversifythe sectors. we mustincreaseminimumwagesacrossall Canary Islandswhichremainaproblemso One ofourchallengesistofightpovertyinthe fairly. wealth generatedbytourismisdistributed contracts arerespectedandfulfilledwhilethe must keepfightingsoworkingconditionsand have denouncedthisfactrepeatedlyandwe as thatofLanzaroteandtheCanaryIslands.I cannot beallowedinadevelopedsociety, such precarious employmentandexploitation from tourism.Thisinequalityaswell wealth andincomethatisdirectlyobtained must beequivalentandaccordingtothe Also, wagesofthoseworkinginthesector generating. and redistributethewealththattourismis from this.We needtoaddressthisissue But thisdoesn’tmeaneverybodyisbenefiting hotels have¨NoVacancy ̈signsontheirdoors. Lanzarote, forthepast3yearsandmany to theCanaryIslands,andespecially We havehadanincreaseintourismarrivals regarding this sector? the island.What are your mainchallenges generates most ofthe employment on Tourism, Lanzarote’s mainindustry, also

LANZAROTE: NATURE IS ITS BEST ASSET tourism andgastronomy usinglocalproducts. with aninternational vocationtoboost Spain (Tasting Spain),anationalplatform is partofandonetheleaders inSaborea product isvaluedandpromoted. Lanzarote culture andtourismcenterswhere thelocal promotion. We alsohaveanetworkofart, local productswithsustainabilityandtourism cheese andalsofishing.Ourstrategyistolink Lanzarote’s localproductssuchaswine, A lotofworkisbeingdonetoimprove local products? What elsecanyoutellusaboutimproving and thereforetheirwell-being. guarantee thequalityoflifepeople, the territory, nature,ourenvironmentand but atthetopofmyprioritiesistoprotect education andinguaranteeingdecentwages, We stillhaveproblemsinhousing,health, are surroundedbywater. the mostimportantsourcesofwealthandwe and theblueeconomysinceseaisoneof Islands havetolookmoretowardsthesea I alsobelievethatLanzaroteandtheCanary here. in aspecialanduniqueconditiontypicalfrom wines intheworldbecausegrapesgrow wines ofLaGeria.Theyaresomethebest great potential.Onegoodexampleisthe offer andimprovelocalproducts.We have Other prioritiesaretodiversifythetourism in thepopulationasawhole. undoubtedly generateswealthandwell-being live primarilyoffoftourisminLanzarotethat improving tourisminfrastructurebecausewe We alsohavetoinvestpublicmoneyin development. to remaindeeplycommittedasustainable developmentalism. Oneofourprioritiesis reserve andhavebeentheflagshipmodelon regarding theurbanization,areabiosphere the firstislandtoapproveInsularPlan guidelines intheCanaryIslands.We were island thatpioneeredthelandmanagement and agreendevelopmentmodel.We werethe Lanzarote hasalwaysoptedforsustainability a wholeinLanzarote? development oftourism andtheeconomyas What areyourprioritiesregardingthe vigilant inalwaysimprovingconnectivity. to travelbyplaneorboatsowehavebe to movefromoneislandanotherweneed for uswholiveinfragmentedterritory. Simply environment, sustainable development, and an environment, sustainabledevelopment,andan Talking aboutLanzaroteistalkingthe that haveasealofquality. energies; andthetastingoforganicproducts reserve; theimplementationofrenewable of CésarManrique;itbeingabiosphere landscapes; itsgreattourismoffers;thework We wantourislandtobeknownforits be knownfor? What doyouwant the islandofLanzarote to Lanzarote isaunique experienceandnotcomparable toanyotherdestination! and nature.Spending time,enjoyingitsgreatclimate andcuisine,savoring it is.Thisserenityistheresultof thecoexistenceandsynergyofourart,culture landscapes, butwhatmakesittremendously specialanddifferentishowpeaceful It isavolcanicislandwithlotof colors,greatbeachesandprotectednatural Lanzarote different? Lanzarote, the Different Island̈istheslogan ofthe island’s website. What makes and ultimately, improvelivingconditions. to wagerontheblueeconomyandensurethatterritoryissustainable,viable, change. Andfromtherethestrategyhastobeimplementatio n ofcleanenergy, and theClimateChangeAgencytohavenewestinformation regarding climate And tocontinuemakingheadway, wewillcreatetheClimate ChangeObservatory must keepmovingforwardnottostagnate. strategy tobesustainableandself-sufficient. Theresultsaregoodfornow, butwe Canarian Parliament andalsointheLanzaroteCouncil.We havecreatedajoint By theway, thefightagainstclimatechangehasbeendeclared apriorityinthe energy wecangetfromtheseawhichhasgreatpotential. must continueworking,notonlywithwind,butalsoinphotovoltaicsandthe very importantsofarandwe’vealreadybeguntoseebenefitsfromit.Butwe development ofrenewableenergy. Theimplementationofwindenergyhasbeen We reallyhavegreatwindandsunhere,sowealltheconditionsfor of renewableenergy. You mentioned thegood work that hasbeendoneregarding the implementation its beautifullandscapes. always valuesnatureagainstdevelopmentalismandwildurbanismprotects absolute respectfornature,soIwantpeopletoknowthatweareanisland

Q&A 1971 19 8,739 km² 30,000 AREA OF THE CITY POPULATION ARE INAUGURATED OF COSTA MARTIÁNEZ FIRST POOLS STARTED WHEN TOURISM CENTURY MARCO ANTONIO Mayor, Puerto delaCruz th GONZÁLEZ MESA

facts of thistypetourism thankstooursports tourism. However, we alreadyattractpart Technification isaclearcommitmenttosports Our futureInsularCenterforWater Sports with greatexperienceintourism services. We areamatureandpioneerdestination tourism doesyourcity offer? Besides sun-and-beachtourism, whattypeof within thesectors. care, since it covers the most specific positions offer excellentserviceswithqualitycustomer Quality employeetrainingwillallowusto commitment totraining. linked totourism,andthatthereisaclear diverse commercialandgastronomicoffer north oftheislandTenerife duetothe that wegenerateemploymentforthewhole the populationthatisdedicatedtotourism, things: thatthereisaveryhighpercentageof jobs withinthesector. Thisimpliesaseriesof we offerareofquality. For this,weneedtofill In addition,itiskeythatthetouristservices importance oftourism. inhabitants, butalsotoallvisitors.Hencethe we mustprovideservices,notonlytoour determined bythepopulationandwiththem economic resourcesassignedtousare a millionovernightguestsannually. The population, 30,000people,butwithalmost on theislandofTenerife withthesmallest Puerto delaCruzisoneofthemunicipalities It’s thedrivingforcebehindoureconomy. and social,oftourism delaCruz? inPuerto botheconomical What istheimportance,

SMALL IN SIZE BIG IN IMPORTANCE Islands, whichwill beaveryambitiouscenter. Sports Technification, unique intheCanary aforementioned InsularCenter for Water In addition,wearecurrentlyapproving the Taoro isgoingtobereformedaswell. accessibility andinclusiveness.The Hotel Beach, wherewewillworktoensure its other endofourcity, wehavetheGarden of €8millionfortheMartiánezbeach.At the able tosaythattherewillbeaninvestment the centralgovernment,butsoonwewillbe insular field. We arewaitingonapprovalfrom to approveadraftoftheagreementin has beenabandonedandwehavemanaged when youarrive to thePort. It is a project that Martiánez beach.Itisthefirstbeachyousee We willundertake theregenerationof environment. about itsfunctionalityoradaptingtothe were stillpendingthingssuchastalking began duringthelastlegislature,butthere completed. Obviously, itisaprojectthat taken. Ournewbusstationhasrecentlybeen however, some steps havealreadybeen My roleasmayorhasjustrecentlybegun; have pending? What aresomeofthebigprojects thatyou aspects. has tocrossthemunicipality, amongother allowing ustoreducethetransportthat kilometer productsgainspecialrelevance, only. Thismakeslocalconsumptionandzero certain streets,andmakeotherspedestrian to passthroughPuertodelaCruz,recover alternatives toheavytransportthatareforced plan (UMP),withwhichweintendtooffer approved asustainableurbanmobility but withmanyservices.For this,wehave small municipality, just9squarekilometers, Mobility isakeyaspectsinceweare overnight guestswelcomedto thecity? deLaCruzandthe residents ofPuerto How doyoudealwiththedisparitybetween surrounding area. you caneatfishthathasbeencaughtinthe itself andthefactthatanywhereinport without forgettingtheCanariancuisine Thai, Senegalese,manytypesofcuisine, is reflectedingastronomy. We haveIndian, into oursocietyandthatissomething since therearemanycommunitiesintegrated We alsohaveawidegastronomicsector pavilion andthesafetyinourmunicipality. in thisdirection? private investors. Whatstepsarebeing taken You mentionedthatyouwouldliketo attract achieve that. steps toseewhatpossibilitiesthereare allow passengertrafficandwearetaking project. We areclearthattheporthasto and theCouncilofTenerife toresumethe in theinsularareawithotheradministrations involved. Today wehaveplannedmeetings very complicatedprojectwithmanyparties of theportanditsinfrastructure.Itisa Finally, themostinterestingprojectisthat jobs in the local administration and reduce unemployment. unemployment. reduce and administration local the in jobs offering start we can so administration the restructure and modify, organize, to start is, year first this to, in To we aim do that, administration. government city the of efficiency the of improving capable we are that show to I want year? first your within complete to hoping you are What months. five for office in You’ve been age. of their regardless city, the know to get to wants who of tourist type any have to happy are we that say to we want Puerto, of the have people perception the changing start to we need that To ensure nightlife. and shopping, gastronomy, as such groups, age different for experiences different offering age, of every tourists for adestination we are However, we believe group. age a certain of people for adestination we are that is perception the world, today’s In Cruz? La de Puerto to attract to like ideally you would tourists of type What time. possible shortest the in project his to answer an given be hewill that assurance the on count can investor the thus easy, investing making efficient, and agile is that administration an become to working we are end our On investors. for proposals economic of interesting aseries we have Canaries of the all in enough, wasn’t this If ease. with population local the with tourist the integrate we can that means destination atourist as identity our aspect: important another is Coexistence offer. cultural varied and dynamic agreat we have municipality, asmall we are although addition, In it. on avalue putting and experience our and legacy our recognizing afuture, has Cruz de la Puerto that world see the make to trying We are

Q&A 1 78% 207.31 km² OROTAVA PARK BELONGS TO LA OFNATIONAL TEIDE MUNICIPALITY TENERIFE’S LARGEST CITTASLOW NETWORK TOJOIN THE CITY IN THE CANARIES A MEMBER OF st THE CITTASLOW ESCOBAR LUIS

Tourism Councilor INTERNATIONAL NETWORK Deputy Mayor & facts La Orotava DELIA this type and that’s why the end of Thomas of Thomas end the why that’s and type this in interested that really not We are society. our on impact anegative have even it can and us to beneficial most the not is tourist of type This area. and city the know to get and explore to time little very spend tourists These operators. tour the with arrives that tourist the First, here. come that of tourists types two we have Currently they? are Who here. come tourists of types different that You mentioned beach. and sun just than more offer We beauty. nature its from apart gastronomy and life cultural vibrant and rich avery with atown is Orotava La tourism. sports and active for ideal are and views exquisite offer Parks Teide and National Forestal Corona The vineyards. for cords trellis distinctive the find can you where sectors agriculture and livestock the to linked closely are which altitudes, high the in landscapes agricultural and altitudes lower the along trees banana beautiful You see can Coast. Acentejo the along areas We protected have natural. and volcanic are but ours neighbors, our like We center. beaches have historic preserved awell- with heritage cultural We arich have of tourists. types different attract us help and apart us set that features unique We afew do have here. towns the of most like not However, we are relevant. most not the if of income sources important most of the one is tourism Islands, Canary the in towns of the most for like just For us, economy? local the for sectors economic significant most the are Which give an example. example. an give Teide the to around and area our in parking improve as such sustainable more even be to address to we need issues still are There done. work is our that mean doesn’t This etc. products, of local development the tourists, the and population local the between relationship the pollution, sound contamination, air as such guidelines some follows annually, reviewed is which certificate, This life’. of for ‘quality certificate international this received have to proud very we are and Network International Cittaslow prestigious of the part become to Spain, in tenth and Islands, Canary the in municipality first the become has Orotava La population. local the in impact negative no has tourism our So area. geographical our out in spread very are products and offers tourism our because also and tourist high-end a more attract to we aim because First overcrowded. are and tourism mass have We really don’t island. the on place another in is which nights the spending are they where to back go usually afterwards and day the for come tourists the destination: seasonal a we are since growth asustainable have to easy relatively so.It is say Iwould Overall, sustainable? been Orotava La in growth tourism the Has day. a for at least too Orotava of La parts other visit to of them many steer to try we actively here, already are they since And Orotava. of La part is which Park, Teidethe National visits Tenerife, to comes that tourist every almost Usually, days. eight to seven is island the on spent tourists these time average The increasing. are tourists Italian and French of both numbers the recently although Spanish, and German English, are of them majority The annually. us visit 50,000 about stable, been has of tourist type second of this the number office, tourism our to According tourist. of type this the towards aimed are efforts promotional and marketing Our Orotava. La know to get to time unlimited have and area the explore to come They we welcome. type the is we get of tourist type other The island. the on towns and cities other affects it as much as us affect really doesn’t Cook that. So we have great performers without without performers great we have So that. do events of the organizers private the them, bring to investment the make to have don’t we free; for here artists top-tier have to us allows This concerts. and events many for free for used be it can that established has hall town The island. the on auditorium largest second We whole year. the have the throughout offer cultural We awide have offer? tourism your of diversity the on expand you Can what really makes La Orotava unique. unique. Orotava La makes really what are moments These heritage. cultural and culinary rich Our June. in holiday local our celebrating or springtime in hikes Teide long for the Volcano. Going of top the from sunrise the admiring or wine local of our bottle agreat sharing while sunset the watching beach the on sitting moments: For special me, unique? Orotava La makes What quantity. before quality always and product atopnotch to access easy tourists: our offer to we want what We know product. tourism our developing continue to Now we need it. in asay have and participate to tourism in astake with entities private and public all we wanted it since approve to ahalf and ayear us taken It has Orotava. at La University European the and Laguna of La University the universities: two to entrusted was that plan astrategic we approved year Yes. This strategy? town’s development the in participate sector private the Does countries. different 20 from 70 experts than more were there where Convention Tourism International the hosted recently we example, an As tourism. (MICE) convention attracting we are Lastly, hall. town and parks national the in place take that events numerous the or race night annual our it’s whether level, at local competitions We conduct Canaries. the in complexes sports avant-garde most of the one have We also level. sea above meters 3,000 train to athletes allows which Park Teide the we have National and matched, be cannot that long year all climate We a have athletes. and sports elite for destination atourist are We also offer. tourism our to value adds and destination gastronomic excellent an us makes which the auditorium around flourished have of food types different serving restaurants and business local several Furthermore, budget. our overloading

Q&A The Canary islands have a The geographical location special fiscal and economic of the Canary Islands is climate due to its distance our biggest asset. We are from the Iberian peninsula, “ divided territory and a European archipelago that is located in Africa. limited capacity to generate It’s a lot faster for us industrial development that to travel to Senegal or can create high-quality jobs. Mauritania than to fly to Therefore we have attractive Madrid. We are making an economic incentives to effort to position ourselves promote the film industry, as a European hub and along with highly skilled a steppingstone to West workers and unparalleled Africa. natural beauty. JOSÉ SEGURA CLAVELL MARIO ROMERO MUR General Director CEO, Grupo Mur Casa África COMMENTS & INSIGHT & COMMENTS

A company’s income statement, its revenue and costs are PROEXCA is focused on attracting investments that will diversify the economy and alleviate its The most promising

FROM THE CANARY ISLANDS CANARY THE FROM obviously important, but as important is to bring value to dependence on tourism. The Canary Islands are already a frontrunner in various sectors in which sectors in the the local economy. This has to be done. The best way to do we have an impressive competitive advantage such as renewable energy, audiovisual & animation Canary Islands for this is to generate high-quality jobs, developing the local companies, high-tech & innovate industries with links to tourism, oil & gas, and astrophysics. investment are community, and building economically stable companies. tourism and the PEDRO MONZÓN CABRERA It is also essential for companies to stick to their ESG energy sector with Promotion & Foreign Network Director, Proexca (Canary Islands Economic Development Agency) policies both within and around the company, by investing all the possible in new machinery, implementing new technologies, etc. renewable resources Sustainability is not only related to the environment, we have to offer. but should also be a focus with regards to economic The importance of medical RAFAÉL MÉNDEZ development. When we talk about tourism to investors, the Canary tourism in the Canary Islands is growing rapidly, given that MARTÍN MARÍA VICTORIA LÓPEZ FUENTES Islands are considered the optimal touristic destination President, Destilerías the Canary Islands’ health President, Grupo Fedola to invest in. It is a year-round destination, as well as Arehucas being politically, economically, and socially stable. The system has dramatically

Canary Islands are a first world destination that offer a improved over the past few safe European island vacation. years. Along with that, the Canary Islands are seen as an One of our biggest

The banana industry is extremely important both SERGIO ARENCIBIA attractive destination because problems on the islands President, Emicela socially and economically for the Canary Islands. it is sunny, warm all year, and is connectivity and the In fact, we are the largest European producers of offers a high quality of life. challenge it brings for “ bananas and pride ourselves on supplying jobs to import and exportation. JORGE PETIT SÁNCHEZ many people in rural areas. We are able to create It would help to see a We have sun, wind and water in the Canary Islands and if we CEO, HPS (Hospital Perpetuo opportunities where there are none. The banana has stronger presence of well- do things properly we could be using only renewable energy in Socorro de Las Palmas) always been symbolic of the Canary Islands. established airlines. a decade and be an example for other archipelagos to follow. ZACARÍAS GALINDO SERGIO CÁCERES PÉREZ RAIMUNDO BAROJA RIEU Director Asprocan (Plátano de Canarias) President, Golf del Sur Vice President, Grupo DISA 1,894,946 2 IN 2019 IN TOURIST ARRIVALS IN THE CANARIES IN THE LARGEST ISLAND

nd UNESCO WORLD

MOISÉS JORGE Fuerteventura Tourist BIOSPHERE RESERVE General Manager facts NARANJO

Board alone. alone. grow butnotdependingsoheavilyontourism opportunities thatwillallowFuerteventurato little wearelookingforpossibilitiesand been basedmainlyontourism,butlittleby The economicmodelinFuerteventurahas these zones. areas andwecanimprovetheconditionsof ecotourism, aswealreadyhavetheecological of theisland.We areputtingalotoffaithin focus moreontheinteriorandruralareas We needtochangeourtourismmodel visiting usinthefuture. island aswellthetouristswhowillbe energies toserveboththepopulationof supply anddemand,theuseofrenewable increase thequalityoftourismoffers,our don’t wanttogrowmore.Now, wewantto We areaboutatourcapacityfortouristsand our populationisaround120,000habitants. receiving about3milliontouristsannually, and visitors ourislandcanhave.Currently, we’re in quality, keepinginmindthecapacityof For Fuerteventura,theprimarygoalisgrowth dealing with the issueofsustainability? How istheFuerteventura IslandCouncil that customershave intheirhotels. plants tobeable tocontroltheconsumption hotel chainshavetheirownwater treatment had verygoodresults,tothepoint thatsome and useitforhumanconsumption. Thishas treatment plantstoremovesaltfrom seawater islands inusingdesalinationplants-water Fuerteventura hasbeenapioneeramongst know whatisthelatestintermsofwateruse. and Senegal),whocometoFuerteventura countries (Morocco,Mauritania,TheGambia, water asenergy. TherearedifferentAfrican use ofwater, oreventakingadvantageof that hastodowiththeproblemofwater, the is aninternationalconferenceoneverything international forumforyears:Africagua. It have beencelebratingaveryimportant being anintercontinentalplatform,we On theotherhand,withintentionof and applyingittotourism. knowledge ofinnovationinnewtechnologies technologies, takingadvantageofany In thecaseofLaLagunaitiswithnew is madeavailabletoushereinFuerteventura. La Laguna,sothattheacademicknowledge Palmas of GranCanariaandtheUniversityof Canarian universities,theUniversityofLas We currentlyhaveagreementswiththetwo How isinnovation affecting the island? where alotofthetourismcomesfrom. countries, bothregularandcharter;thisis We haveairconnectivityto17European Where doyour tourists comefrom? Europe andAmerica. intercontinental platformbetweenAfrica, short term,turnFuerteventuraintoan European jurisdiction.Sowhynot,inthe closest toAfrica, butitsterritoryiswithin Fuerteventura. It’stheeasternmostisland, advantage, ofthegeographicalposition We aretakingadvantage,ortryingtotake for tourists,butcinemaaswell. to seeFuerteventuraasapossibilitynotonly shot inFuerteventuratoo.Americahasbegun Woman 2”whichcomesoutthisyearhasbeen installment of“HanSolo,StarWars”. “Wonder Ridley Scottwasfilmedhere,alsothelatest film productions. For example,“Exodus”by become anaturalsetofgreatAmerican In recentyearsFuerteventurahasunexpectedly showing it hasalot ofpotential? the economyofFuerteventura? Any sector How doyouassessthediversification of www.elitereports.net &Translator Assistant Production Simpson Abigail Writer Beresford Mark Director Art Conceição Marta Director &Creative Art Caparrós Antonio Director Development &Project Production Mauro Perillo Project Director Nadolu Maria Editor &Contributing Director Christina Hays &Editor Director Managing Snider Melinda Reports Elite by Produced CANARY ISLANDS Sustainability isResponsibility In collaboration with