In a celebration of art, landscape, and sustainable vision, the municipality of Yaiza honoured local photographer Gustavo Medina with its 2025 Tourism Prize during a vibrant gala held on Tuesday.
The event, which lit up Playa Blanca, recognised Medina for his breathtaking photographic work that captures the unique soul of Yaiza and Lanzarote. His stunning still images and innovative time-lapse videos, which reveal hidden natural events imperceptible to the human eye, were praised as a powerful engine for tourism.
Mayor Óscar Noda highlighted the dual impact of Medina’s artistry, noting not only its promotional value but also its deeper message. He lauded the artist’s “commitment to the conservation and protection of the natural environment,” describing his work as a platform that “rediscovers the island’s landscape, a magnet for the senses and a voice of protest against insensitivity.”
A visibly moved Gustavo Medina accepted the honour from his hometown with deep gratitude. “I feel honoured by this recognition given to me by my municipality, the land where I was born, which invites me to continue working with the same enthusiasm and perseverance that I have had all my life,” he said. For Medina, photography “is a way of connecting with our identity and environment. The image allows me to express what I cannot say with words; it is the essence of time where the landscape is eternal.”
Daniel Medina, Yaiza’s Councillor for Tourism, echoed the sentiment, calling the artist “a sensitive person who helps us appreciate our landscape.” He added, “Through his lens, he captures the natural beauty of Yaiza, showing us the delicacy of a wave, the power of a volcano, or the calm of a sunset on our shores. We recognize his work as an exercise in sustainability, because those who learn to look with respect also learn to care.”
A Green Future for Tourism
The gala also served as a stage to outline Yaiza’s forward-looking tourism strategy. Mayor Noda emphasized the launch of the Canary Green program, an initiative by the Association of Tourist Municipalities (AMTC) that is “redefining tourism with a focus on sustainability and innovation financed by Europe.”
He detailed a vision that includes “the efficient use of natural resources, the protection of the territory, energy savings with smart public lighting systems, and support for local businesses,” all of which contribute to a more responsible economy and “encourage a change in the tourist experiences of those who visit us.”
Reaffirming a targeted approach to tourism, Noda also recalled Yaiza’s commitment to attracting smaller, high-value cruise ships. “We are interested in luxury ships, carrying between 200 and 400 visitors with high purchasing power, who want to enjoy experiences at their destination and even stay for one or two nights. This type of tourism benefits the local economy and has less impact on natural resources.”
The evening was filled with local flavour, kicking off with a vibrant performance by the batucada Ritmos del Sur on Calle Limones. The main ceremony featured the enchanting sounds of timple player Alexis Lemes and singer Nayara Viñoly from Uga, before the party culminated with energetic rock music from the band Bourbon.
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