Lanzarote has taken a prominent spot at the International Tourism Fair (FITUR) by “reinforcing its commitment to a sustainable, high-value, and people-centred tourism model.”
During the opening ceremony, the President of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Oswaldo Betancort, emphasised that in an international context marked by geopolitical instability and inflationary pressure, Lanzarote is positioning itself as “a different destination, capable of bringing together everything that is good when you decide to enjoy a holiday.”
Betancort highlighted the island’s strategic evolution beyond the exclusive sun and beach model. He stated that Lanzarote now competes on the pillars of sustainability, gastronomy, the blue economy, active tourism, culture, and safety.
The president noted that Lanzarote maintains the lowest growth in tourist volume in the Canary Islands yet generates the highest turnover. The average daily expenditure per tourist stands at 193 euros. “Our goal is for this expenditure to not only benefit the tourism chain, but also to reach the families of Lanzarote in a real way,” he said, insisting that tourism must be part of the solution to the island’s challenges, not a problem.
For his part, the CEO of SPEL-Turismo Lanzarote, Héctor Fernández, stated that the first day confirms Lanzarote has arrived with a “demanding and worthy” work plan for an event of this magnitude. He outlined that the central focus of their FITUR agenda is the promotion of the eleven principles of the World Charter for Sustainable Tourism plus 30.
Fernández explained that this charter guides all actions towards environmental, social, and economic balance, seeking to maximise tourism’s positive impacts while minimising the negative ones. Key agenda items include meetings with UN Tourism, the presentation of the iBlue congress which connects the blue economy and innovation, and targeted meetings to attract higher-quality markets, with special attention on the high-spend US market.
Fernández also confirmed that FITUR provides an opportunity to review the 2025 financial year, which indicates moderate growth alongside a significant improvement in qualitative indicators, notably the tourist spending of 193 euros in the third quarter.
He further highlighted the presentation of the Climate Action Plan, developed over the last year, which strengthens the destination’s commitment to decarbonisation and the shared responsibility of public and private actors.
“The agenda of meetings, presentations, and gatherings that we have designed responds to the major challenges facing tourist destinations today and demonstrates that Lanzarote is prepared to provide solid, responsible responses that are aligned with its island model,” concluded Fernández.
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