The Cabildo of Lanzarote, through SPEL-Turismo Lanzarote, has developed this Tuesday an institutional and professional agenda on the opening day of the World Travel Market (WTM) in London, the most influential tourism fair in the world and the main showcase of the British market, key for the destination.
The day began with the official opening of the Canary Islands stand, with the participation of the Secretary of State for Tourism, Rosario Sánchez, the director of Turespaña, Miguel Sanz, and the Spanish Ambassador to the United Kingdom, José Pascual Marco, accompanied by representatives of the seven island councils and those responsible for Promotur Islas Canarias.
Throughout the day, the Lanzarote delegation -headed by the president of the Cabildo and Minister of Tourism of Lanzarote, Oswaldo Betancort- held meetings with the main tour operators, airlines and online agencies in the United Kingdom, including Jet2holidays, Loveholidays, On the Beach, EasyJet Holidays, British Airways Holidays, Travel Republic, Expedia and Tripadvisor, with the purpose of strengthening air connectivity, consolidating the loyalty of British visitors and attracting profiles with greater purchasing power linked to nature, culture, gastronomy and sports.
Oswaldo Betancort, assessed the Island's presence at this edition of the WTM as "very positive": "We have sold the island of Lanzarote, an island that protects 60% of its territory, that seeks a tourist who values that protection, sustainability, and respect for the environment. In turn, a tourist who generates economy, more profitable and with greater purchasing power."
"That's why we have signed a protocol here in the United Kingdom with the main airline, British Airways. I think it's a turning point. We are trying to continue with that tourist decrease: Lanzarote is the island that grows the least in tourism but the one that invoices the most in the destination. The fundamental thing is that the resident sees the tourist as part of the solution to our problems. Deeply satisfied and determined to continue selling this jewel in the crown that is Lanzarote and La Graciosa,” he continues.
For his part, the CEO of SPEL-Turismo Lanzarote, Héctor Fernández, highlighted the importance of the British market and the professionalism of the work carried out at the fair. “The expectation is significant and lives up to the market's relevance. The United Kingdom is our main stronghold in terms of tourist numbers, and we are attending the World Travel Market with a professional and responsible work plan, seeking interlocutors who can provide a more qualified vision and a profile of British tourist that generates more value in the destination and greater spending in the tourism value chain. We are therefore attending with that ambition and with the commitment to continue positioning Lanzarote as a leading destination in sustainability and quality,” he concluded.
The day will conclude this afternoon with two important events: the Jet2holidays corporate event, restricted to top representatives from its main partners, and the official reception at the Spanish Embassy in London, which will bring together leading national and regional tourism authorities.
With this first day, Turismo Lanzarote "strengthens its active role within the Canary Islands space at WTM 2025, presenting the destination as a benchmark for sustainability, innovation and quality", in anticipation of the celebration of the World Charter for Sustainable Tourism +30, which will take place on the island on November 28.