The Government of the Canary Islands and the Government of Puerto Rico have signed a memorandum of understanding for the international projection of the Canary Islands in tourism and cultural matters, which begins with collaboration in the organization of the Tenerife Cook Music Fest, as it is one of the main events in which music stands out as a strategic asset for international projection and cultural connection between both regions.
The document signed by the Vice-Minister of the Presidency of the Canary Islands, Alfonso Cabello; the Governor of Puerto Rico, Jennifer González; and Willianette Robles Cancel, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.
The agreement has among its specific objectives, in addition to facilitating the participation of Puerto Rican artists in the aforementioned festival, promoting the positioning and recognition of the Canary Islands in Puerto Rico; offering exposure of the Canary Islands brand to Puerto Rican, Caribbean, and US market audiences, through cultural initiatives and integrating shared narratives that highlight both territories as cultural, creative, and tourist destinations. All of this reinforcing institutional cooperation through a strategic cultural alliance, without mandatory financial commitments for the parties.
For Alfonso Cabello, it is about recognizing **the value of culture and music** as tools for international projection, tourism promotion, and strengthening cultural identity; recognizing the historical, cultural, and geographical ties between Puerto Rico and the Canary Islands. "We are convinced that institutional cooperation within the framework of international projection cultural events contributes to the strategic positioning of both destination brands, in which the Canary Islands have much to offer, as well as allowing us to deepen the internationalization of the Canary Islands economy with the tourism and cultural sector as the protagonist."