Lanzarote celebrated World Tourism Day recently, by honouring the individuals and organisations that have been instrumental in the island’s success. The star of the night was the Irish airline Aer Lingus, which received the prestigious Lanzarote Island Award 2025.
The event, held in Costa Teguise and streamed live, brought together the heart of Lanzarote’s tourism community. Institutional representatives, award winners, and sector professionals gathered for a ceremony that looked back on decades of dedication and forward to a sustainable and brilliant future.
The president of the Cabildo, Oswaldo Betancort, presented the winners with their awards alongside a unique piece of art designed by Lanzarote sculptor Cinthia Machín, created especially for the occasion.
The 2025 Award Winners
The gala served to distinguish excellence across several categories:
Lanzarote Island Award 2025
- Aer Lingus: Honoured for its outstanding contribution to the connectivity and positioning of the destination in the Irish market.
Tourism Awards 2025
- Tourism Company: Ereza Hotels & Resorts, celebrated for 25 years of excellence.
- Cultural and Sporting Events: The Vertical de Montaña Blanca, recognised for brilliantly bringing together sport and community.
- Personality: Naji Zegdaoui Bardoukh, owner of the Mi Piace restaurant, hailed as an example of hard work and cultural diversity.
Special Mentions
- Las Salinas de Janubio, for its immense heritage and landscape value.
- Pedro Orlando (Ico) Montelongo Pérez, for his long career in promoting tourism in Lanzarote.
A “Diamond of Tourism” Shining Bright
Following the presentations, President Oswaldo Betancort took to the stage to outline his confident vision for the island. He stated that “Lanzarote is and will continue to be a diamond of tourism: brilliant, solid, and capable of projecting its light far beyond the Atlantic.”
He elaborated on this vision, adding, “With history, with qualified connectivity, with real sustainability and with the strength of its people, we want to build all the potential we can become.”
Betancort also confirmed that the island’s pioneering ethical tourism campaign is already underway and announced key international events, including the presentation of the Sustainable Tourism Charter +30 on November 28 at the iconic Jameos del Agua.
A Promising Future for Irish Connectivity
Accepting the top award on behalf of Aer Lingus, European Operations Manager Sean O’Mahony expressed his gratitude. He assured the audience that “this recognition not only honours the path travelled together with Lanzarote, but also ushers in a very promising future for the continued strong growth of relations and air connectivity between Ireland and the island.”
The formal event concluded on a spectacular and uniquely Lanzarote note. After musical performances by Thania Gil and Manuel Estupiñán, the audience was treated to a stunning show, ‘Windsurfers by night’. Coordinated by local businessman Eric Yoldjoglou, a group of windsurfing enthusiasts from Costa Teguise glided across the darkened waters, their illuminated sails creating a breathtaking finale that perfectly captured the spirit of the island.
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