Lanzarote has begun its participation in the first day of FITUR with a clear and coherent message: to consolidate a tourism model "based on sustainability, quality of spending, diversification of the offer, and the balance between economic development, social well-being, and territorial protection".
During the inauguration ceremony, the president of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Oswaldo Betancort, emphasized that, in an international context marked by geopolitical instability and inflationary pressure in the main issuing markets, Lanzarote is positioning itself as “a different destination, capable of bringing together all the good things when one decides to enjoy a vacation”.
Betancort highlighted that "the island has moved beyond the exclusive sun and beach model to compete through sustainability, gastronomy, the blue economy, hiking tourism, culture, and safety as a destination."
The president recalled that Lanzarote "is the island that grows the least in tourist volume in the Canary Islands," but the one that generates the most revenue, with an average daily spending of 193 euros per tourist. "Our goal is for this spending not only to be perceived by the tourism industry but to genuinely reach the families of Lanzarote," he stated, insisting that tourism "must be part of the solution to the island's challenges and not a problem." In this regard, he highlighted "the control of urban and population growth through the new Island Plan, as well as the commitment to a safe, responsible tourism model aligned with the territory's values."
For his part, the CEO of SPEL-Turismo Lanzarote, Héctor Fernández, pointed out that the first day of the fair confirms that Lanzarote arrives at FITUR with an "demanding work plan, up to the task of an event of this magnitude." Fernández highlighted as the central axis of the agenda the enhancement of the eleven principles of the **World Charter for Sustainable Tourism +30**, adopted in Lanzarote on November 28, **as the destination's strategic roadmap**.
As explained, this letter guides all actions towards environmental, social, and economic balance, maximizing the positive impacts of tourism and minimizing the negative ones. Within this framework are the meetings held with UN Tourism, the presentation of the iBlue congress—which connects blue economy and innovation—and meetings aimed at attracting more qualitative markets, with special attention to the US market, characterized by a greater impact in terms of spending.
The CEO also announced that FITUR serves to conduct an initial assessment of 2025, which points to contained growth and a significant improvement in qualitative indicators, especially in tourism spending (193 euros in the third quarter of 2025).
He also highlighted the presentation of the Climate Action Plan developed over the past year, which "reinforces the destination's commitment to decarbonization and the shared responsibility of public and private actors.""The agenda of meetings, presentations, and encounters we have designed responds to the major challenges facing tourist destinations today and demonstrates that Lanzarote is prepared to provide solid, responsible answers aligned with its island model," Fernández concludedWith this inauguration, Lanzarote reaffirms at FITUR its positioning as "a leading destination in sustainability, innovation, and tourism quality, with a clear strategy aimed at generating economic value without renouncing its identity, its territory, and the well-being of its citizens."